There are many ways to record a presentation on your computer and then save an mp4 video file. We have listed a few options for you below. If your video file size is too big to upload into the system, review this article on how to compress video files.

Loom

Easy to use. Free up to 5min recordings. Includes the webcam so people can see you presenting. 

Create a free account on https://www.loom.com/ and get started immediately.

Screencastify

Similar to Loom with web cam integration, but videos on the free version are limited to a short time. Great for a 3 minute poster presentation.

Go to http://screencastify.com/ to create your account and install the Chrome browser extension.

Record with Zoom

Zoom recording is ideal for long videos due to its excellent video compression.

1. Create a free Zoom account at https://zoom.us
2. Install and open the Zoom application on your computer
3. Click on the arrow next to the text "New Meeting" to either record with or without the webcam
   
4. When prompted, click on Join Audio Conference by Computer so Zoom will record your PC's microphone
5. Click on the Share Screen button
   
6. In the window that appears, select the Desktop option to capture your entire desktop or select specific applications
7. Once selected, click the Screen Share button and the chosen screen or application will have a green border surrounding it to verify that it is being shared
8. At the top of the screen, move your cursor to the green area where your meeting ID is listed and a menu will appear
   
9. Click More > Record
10. When you're done recording, go back into your zoom toolbar and click on More > Stop Recording
11. At the top of your screen click Stop Share
12. At the bottom right of the Zoom application click End, then End Meeting for All
13. The Zoom app will begin compressing the screen recording and save it on your computer
    Tip: Create a short recording first to test and check file size. The smallest file is achieved recording PowerPoint presentations with audio and a small presenter thumbnail video showing.

PowerPoint (Microsoft 365)

This option works if you just want to add audio to your slides without the webcam.

1. Open PowerPoint on your computer
2. Select Record Slide Show on either the Recording tab or the Slide Show tab of the ribbon.

   • Clicking the upper half of the button starts you on the current slide.

   • Clicking the lower half of the button gives you the option to start from the beginning or from the current slide

3. The slide show opens in the Recording window (which looks similar to Presenter view), with buttons at the top left for starting, pausing, and stopping the recording. 
4. Click the round, red button (or press R on your keyboard) when you are ready to start the recording. A three-second countdown ensues, then the recording begins.
   • The current slide is shown in the main pane of the Recording window.
   • You can stop the recording any time by pressing Alt+S on your keyboard.
   • Navigation arrows on either side of the current slide allow you to move to the previous and next slides.
   • You can stop the recording any time by pressing Alt+S on your keyboard.
   • Navigation arrows on either side of the current slide allow you to move to the previous and next slides.
   • PowerPoint for Microsoft 365 automatically records the time you spend on each slide, including any Animate text or objects steps that occur, and the use of any triggers on each slide.
   • You can record audio or video narration as you run through your presentation. The buttons at the lower-right corner of the window allow you to toggle on or off the microphone, camera, and camera preview:
     
   • If you use the pen, highlighter, or eraser, PowerPoint records those actions for playback also.
     
   • If you re-record your narration (including audio and ink), PowerPoint erases your previously recorded narration (including audio and ink) before you start recording again on the same slide.
   • You can also re-record by going to Slide Show > Record Slide Show.
5. To end your recording, select the square Stop button (or press S on your keyboard).
   • When you finish recording your narration, a small picture appears in the lower-right corner of the recorded slides. The picture is an audio icon, or, if the web camera was on during the recording, a still image from the webcam.
   • The recorded slide show timing is automatically saved. (In Slide Sorter view, the timings are listed beneath each slide.)
   • In this process, what you record is embedded in each slide, and the recording can be played back in Slide Show.
6. In order to save your recording as an mp4, click File > Export > Create a Video. (Or, on the Recording tab of the ribbon, click Export to Video.)
   • In the first drop-down box under the Create a Video heading, select the video quality you want, which pertains to the resolution of the finished video. The higher the video quality, the larger the file size.
     
7. Click on File > Save As, and from the drop-down menu, choose MPEG-4 Video (*.mp4)

Quicktime (on Mac)

This option works if you just want to add audio to your slides without the webcam.

1. Open your slides in presentation mode
2. Open Quicktime Player on your computer
3. Click on File > New Screen Recording
   
4. Click the Record button  to start recording. Click it again to stop recording.
5. Click on File > Save
6. By default, the file will be saved as .mov. Use this free app to compress the file and convert to .mp4.

Game Bar (built into Windows 10)

1. Open the Powerpoint or program you want to record and make sure it has focus (click on the program window)
2. Press the Windows key + G.
3. If you see a dialog box asking if you want to open the Game Bar, click the checkbox for Yes, this is a game
   
4. The Game Bar should appear. To narrate while you record, click the small Microphone icon. 
5. When you're ready to record, click the Record button, which is the large round, solid black button to the right of the camera icon
6. After a moment, the Game Bar will become a small recording bar on the side of the screen, and you will be recording. 
   • You can turn the microphone on or mute it from here as well. 
7. When you are done, click the blue Stop Recording button
   
8. Look for the notification in the lower right corner of the screen to tell you where Windows has saved the video clip.
   • You should be able to find your videos in the Videos/Captures folder as an mp4 file

Screencast-o-matic

1. Install Screencast-o-matic on Mac or Windows from https://screencast-o-matic.com/personal
2. The personal version includes up to 15min free recording (as of December 2020). Follow the steps to record. 

Related Articles

• How do I compress or optimize my video mp4 files? How do I convert my video to mp4 format?