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How to make a tutorial video on PC

Updated · 6 min read

In short

A good tutorial video follows a simple outline (goal, steps, result), shows every action clearly on screen and stays short. On a PC, record your screen along with your voice, then use a tool that zooms in on your clicks, cleans up the audio and adds subtitles so viewers never lose track.

1. Pick a single goal

A tutorial answers one question: “how to export an invoice,” “how to create a project.” State it in the first few seconds and show the end result before you start.

2. Get your setup ready

  • A decent microphone makes all the difference: a headset mic is enough, placed an inch or two from your mouth.
  • A quiet room; Clarcut removes any remaining background noise anyway.
  • A readable screen resolution and tidy windows.

3. Record step by step

  1. 1

    Record your screen and voice together

    Full screen, a window or an area: pick just the useful part to avoid distractions.

  2. 2

    Describe what you're doing

    “I'm clicking Settings, then Export”: viewers can follow along without searching.

  3. 3

    Pause after each step

    These breaks make cuts easier and give the zooms room to land.

4. Edit without spending hours

  • Cut out hesitations and dead air.
  • Speed up long typing sections.
  • Show the keyboard shortcuts you use so viewers remember them.
  • Blur any personal information visible on screen.

5. Make the tutorial accessible

Add subtitles: they help people who are deaf or hard of hearing, people watching with the sound off and non-native speakers. Then export in the right format for your platform (YouTube, an online course, your product's help center).

Frequently asked questions

What free software can I use to make a tutorial video on PC?

Windows' built-in tools handle basic captures, with no editing. Clarcut is free and automatically adds zooms, a smooth cursor and clean audio; free exports are 1080p with a small watermark.

What's the ideal length for a tutorial?

As short as possible for the goal: often 2 to 5 minutes. Beyond that, split it into several videos, one per major step.

How do I add subtitles to a tutorial?

With Clarcut Pro, subtitles are transcribed automatically on your computer, then you choose their style and position. You can also export them as an .srt file.