Record a tutorial video for YouTube on Windows

A good tutorial is clear to watch and easy to follow. PointerStudio is a free Windows screen recorder that adds the things viewers notice: zooms on what you click, your voice and a clean background.

Set up

Choose the window or area you will teach in, pick your microphone and start with the shortcut after a countdown, so you can get into position.

Make it easy to follow

Auto zoom follows your cursor and zooms on clicks.
Show keystrokes so viewers can see shortcuts and typed commands.
Blur or pixelate passwords, emails and other private details.
Fades and loudness keep your voice even from start to end.

Export for YouTube

Export an MP4 in 1080p or 1440p with High quality. No watermark is added, and the file is ready to upload.

A simple workflow

Write three to five points you want to teach.
Record in one take and fix mistakes by splitting out the bad part on the timeline.
Check the zooms, hide private details, pick a background.
Export and upload.

See also our guide to adding zoom to a screen recording and the free screen recorder for Windows overview.

The installer is new and not code-signed yet, so Windows SmartScreen may show a warning the first time: select More info, then Run anyway, and download only from this site or the official GitHub release.

Frequently asked questions

What resolution should I export for YouTube?

1080p is a good default. Use 1440p if you record on a larger screen and want extra sharp text.

Can I show my keystrokes?

Yes, PointerStudio can show your keystrokes in the recording.

Is there a watermark?

No.

Download PointerStudio for Windows

Free for Windows 10 and 11. No watermark, no time limit.