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How to Record Your Desktop Using VLC Media Player

If you have been looking for a simple way to record your desktop and may be share the video on YouTube, then you already have the means. The means is of course VLC Media Player. There are many features of this software besides the ability to play videos of any format. Recording your desktop in your desired format happens to be one of them.

To perform desktop video recording, we have to use the “Capture Devices” feature. It is accessible from Media > Open Capture Device. From there we will choose Desktop as a capture mode and stream it to a video file. Advanced users have already figured out the steps, but for the simple user- here are the steps in detail:

  1. In VLC, click on Media > Open Capture Device [CTRL + C].
  2. For Capture Mode, choose “Desktop”. Also chose a desired frame rate.
  3. In the bottom, press the small down facing arrow and choose Stream.

    A stream output wizard will open. Hit next.
  4. In “New destination” make sure “File” is selected and then click on Add.
  5. Browse the location to save your recording file and give in a full filename like record.mp4. Hit Next.
  6. Under profile choose the video format and container. The default H264 video format with MP3 audio is a great choice. Hit Next.
  7. Click on “Stream” and the recording begins immediately.
  8. To end the recording, press the stop button in the main VLC screen.

Notes:

  1. You will know that the recording is in progress as the timer in player screen increments.
  2. After stopping, locate the video file you just saved and play it to see your recorded screen.
  3. If you want a smoother video, then try increasing the frame rate. Higher frame rate means smoother videos but it requires greater computing power and resources of your laptop or desktop.

Display Mouse Pointer in Recorded Videos

If you’ve noticed that without additional configuration, your mouse pointer is not recorded when you capture your desktop using VLC. To configure a pointer to be displayed, you’ll have to download a mouse pointer image and configure it to be used as the screen mouse image.

To do so:

  • Download a mouse pointer image file. Here’s one for you.
  • Place the mouse.png file in your VLC Program files folder i.e. C:\Program Files\VideoLAN\VLC\
  • In step 7 of the desktop capture wizard—when you reach the Stream Output option step—add the following at the end:

    :screen-follow-mouse :screen-mouse-image=mouse.png


    In Generated stream output string and click stream

You can have all the fancy looking graphics as your mouse pointer.

View Comments (47)

  • Finally found another option to record my Roblox gameplay on desktop. Before I record it with iMyVid Free Online Screen Recorder, I am looking for an alternative to it that lets me customize the fps for up to 100. I can't wait to try VLC, a good thing that I have it on PC! I love that it's free too!

  • I need to know how to switch between capture devices using hotkeys? I would like to use this much like obs so I can switch between capture devices using the hotkeys. Thanks

  • hello there, i have tried this method..but sound is still not recorded in the screen recorded video...neither mic sound nor the computer itsef (i.e spotify or youtube sound) . what should i do? does anybody experiencing the same problem?

  • Hi, the VLC screen recording cuts off midway through my recording session. How do i ensure that the file saved at the end is the full length?

  • Hi
    Greetings
    Thanks for the tips. However I'm not technical and want to know if I can VLC Screen capture an online video or a BBCiPlayer program as opposed to record/download given the DRM issue and time-restricted BBC downloads. Do I launch the video first and then set about the VLC capture sequences. Also we would need to minimise the VLC screen/interface but when you are setting the Screen Capture procedures how do you minimise when there is no link or sign to do so.
    Your help and advice will be much appreciated. Thanks a lot
    Kind regards
    Hassam

    • VLC can capture anything playing on the screen but the frame rate and audio can be an issue. If I were to capture anything, I would run the capture sequence on VLC first and then, play the on-screen content. VLC will minimize automatically after you start the recording. The minimize button will also still be there to help you with the same feature.

      • hii there, in my screen recorded video, there is no audio. i mean neither the mic's audio getting recorded nor the pc's itself(i.e spotify and youtube) what should i do or what am i doing wrong

  • I don't understand: it seems that everything works fine but then I can't manage to open the recording file (I used the deafult settings). Does anybody has the same problem?

  • Is this for real? I am really amazed! I was not even aware that VLC has other functions rather than playing movies or video. Usually, I am trying Screen Grabber Pro as my go to computer screen recorder. But because of this awesome suggestion. Let me definitely try this one. Thanks!

  • Excellent.
    I was able to do a video recording from my PC but it can't play on VLC. I tried using windows player but the audio is not coming with that one, only the images rolling.
    kindly advice

  • To have permanent mouse fix,
    click Tools – Preferences – interface Show Settings All – Acces Module – Screen – put check mark in Follow the mouse and its location

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