How to Create a Screen Recording for Free

A screen recording is critical for solving technical issues because it provides support with a clear, visual account of the problem, eliminating ambiguity and a lengthy back-and-forth process. Instead of relying on a customer’s potentially incomplete or confusing description, support can see the issue exactly as it happened.

*You can create a free screen recording with Loom using either the desktop app or the Chrome browser extension. The free Starter plan allows for unlimited videos with a five-minute recording limit per video. 

Method 1: Use the Loom desktop app

1. Sign up and download the app. Go to the Loom website and create a free account, then download and install the desktop app for your Windows or Mac computer.
2. Open the Loom app. Launch the application to bring up the recording menu.
3. Choose your recording type. Select one of the capture modes:
   • Screen + Camera: Records both your screen and a small video of you from your webcam.
   • Screen Only: Records just your screen.
   • Camera Only: Records only your webcam.
4. Adjust your settings. Choose the screen you want to record, your audio input (microphone), and whether to record system audio. You can also choose between recording your entire screen or a specific window.
5. Start recording. Click the “Start Recording” button. A countdown timer will appear before the recording begins.
6. Finish and share. When you are done, click the red “Stop” button on the recording menu. Your video will be automatically uploaded to your Loom library, and a shareable link will be copied to your clipboard. 

Method 2: Use the Loom Chrome extension

1. Install the extension. Add the Loom extension from the Chrome Web Store.
2. Launch the recorder. Click the Loom icon in your browser’s toolbar.
3. Set your recording options. A menu will appear where you can select what to capture:
   • Your full desktop or just the current browser tab.
   • Whether to include your camera and microphone.
4. Click “Start Recording.” A three-second countdown will begin.
5. Stop the recording. Click the square red button when you are finished.
6. View and share. The video link is automatically copied to your clipboard. The video will open in a new tab where you can view it, make basic edits, and share it.