If we want to record on video what happens on the screen of our Windows 10 PC , we currently have two options. The first of them is to use third-party programs that allow us to carry out this task (such as ShareX, or Ashampoo Snap), and the second is to use the secret Windows 10 screen recorder that we can find inside the Game Bar. However, the operating system does not have a tool as such that allows us to carry out this task. Although this is going to change very soon thanks to this new PowerToy that is about to arrive: Video GIF Capture .
Microsoft PowerToys are a set of open source tools designed to enhance the overall operating system experience. These tools were very popular in the era of Windows 95, up to Windows XP. After falling into oblivion a bit, Microsoft decided to give them a second life by designing similar tools from scratch in order to get the most out of Windows 10.
Both Microsoft and the developers collaborating on this project are constantly working on this set of tools. Currently, the list of PowerToys that we can find is 8 items. And with the next version we will receive a new one that will allow us to control the camera and the microphone in video calls in a simple way. But the developers are already working on Video GIF Capture, which, if all goes well, will be the tenth PowerToy that we see in Windows 10.
Record PC screen with Video GIF Capture
Microsoft is clear about the objective of this tool: to be a very simple and lightweight screen recording program , as well as allowing the user to choose in which format to export the image. But nothing else. What it will not be is a complex and professional editor, it will not allow opening videos for editing or converting videos to GIF or GIF to video.
Its main characteristics will be:
- Totally free.
- We can start the application with a keyboard shortcut.
- It allows making a screen selection with the piece of the screen that we are going to capture.
- Capture specific windows, a specified size, or the entire screen.
- Trim the recording.
- Capture system audio.
- We can show or hide the mouse.
- Capture the keystroke.
- Save to GIF.
- Copies the captured item to the clipboard.
What we will not be able to do with this program is:
- Record with the mic.
- Record the webcam.
- Edit frame by frame.
- Edit intermediate sections.
- Add CGI effects.
Some practical uses that this program will have and that will help us to better work with the entire program and carry out certain tasks are:
- Create simple GIFs or videos to guide users through certain processes (a tutorial).
- Improve error reporting on platforms like GitHub.
- Allow better guidance in certain administrative or IT tasks.
- An alternative to easily share 3D files, videos or very large images.
- And why not create memes.
This new PowerToy would be based mainly on the source code of the “ScreenToGIF” program, although adding open source code from other Windows programs and elements, such as the selection function of the Snips app, or the base code of the Photos app editor.
Download PowerToys with Video GIF Capture
At the moment, this new editor is in full development, so even if we install the latest version of the PowerToys we still won’t be able to use it.
At the moment, the new Video GIF Capture has no release date. But, as can be seen in the captures, the development is more or less advanced. Taking into account that the next update will release the tool to control the camera and the microphone in video calls, it is expected that the next version will be reserved to correct errors and debug the program, and the next one will be whoever releases this new tool.
Meanwhile, you can use ScreenToGIF to record PC screen in GIF.