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How to Record Last 5 Minutes on PC in 3 Ways

Check this guide to learn how to record last 5 minutes on PC with Xbox Game Bar, OBS Studio, or NVIDIA ShadowPlay.

Myra Xian Avatar

Updated on

Quick Answer:
You can record the last 5 minutes on your PC with the Background Recording feature in Xbox Game Bar, the Replay Buffer feature in OBS Studio, or the Instant Replay option in NVIDIA ShadowPlay. Besides, you can use SurFlex Screen Recorder to record real-time gameplay on your computer with ease.

If you’re an avid gamer, there are likely moments when you want to capture the impressive killstreaks you achieve. While there are numerous screen recorders available for real-time gameplay recording on PC, only a few possess the capability to record past gameplay, such as capturing the last 5 minutes on your PC.

Fortunately, there are still game clip recorders that can assist you in this regard. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the process of clipping on PC. If you want to know how to record the last 5 minutes on PC, don’t hesitate to explore the detailed guide below.

How to Record Last 5 Minutes on PC via Xbox Game Bar

Requirement: Windows 10 & Windows 11

To record past gameplay on a PC running Windows 10 or later, you can utilize the built-in screen recorder called Xbox Game Bar. This free clip recorder allows you to capture the last 5 minutes or other specified periods, such as 15 seconds, 30 seconds, 1 minute, and more, depending on your configuration. If you wish to record and capture previous gameplay moments on your PC or laptop in MP4 without any cost, Xbox Game Bar recording will prove to be highly beneficial.

To record the last 5 minutes on PC via Xbox Game Bar:

Step 1. Go to Start > Settings > Gaming > Captures on your PC.

Step 2. Enable Background Recording and set to record the last 5 minutes.

Step 3. When you are in the game, press Windows-Alt-G to capture the last 5 minutes on your PC.

Step 4. Go to Xbox Game Bar > Gallery to check the recorded video.

Xbox Game Bar Background Recording Settings

Note: You can also record past gameplay by following these steps: Open the Xbox Game Bar (Windows-G), access the Capture panel, and click on the Record Last 5 Minutes button.

Whenever you need to record clips on your PC, you can use Xbox Game Bar to have a try. It will screen record on Windows with audio so that you can capture any video or audio you like.

How to Clip Last 5 Minutes on PC with OBS Studio

Although OBS Studio is not a preinstalled application on your computer, it is a free and open-source screen recorder that is worth considering when you need to capture the last 5 minutes on your PC or laptop.

Unlike Xbox Game Bar, which is primarily designed for game clip recording, OBS Studio can capture any on-screen content on your computer, provided that you configure the recording settings correctly. Even when you want to clip the last 5 minutes on your PC, OBS Studio can assist you through its Replay Buffer feature.

Furthermore, OBS Studio offers customization options for output video format, quality, and other settings, providing you with greater flexibility while recording the events on your PC. If you are interested in this freeware, follow the steps below to give it a try.

To clip the last 5 minutes on your PC with OBS:

Step 1. Install OBS Studio on your PC or laptop correctly.

Step 2. Go to OBS Studio > File > Settings > Output and enable Replay Buffer in the Recording section.

Step 3. Set the Maximum Replay Time as 300 seconds (namely 5 minutes) and set the Maximum memory limit according to your needs.

Step 4. Click Apply to save the changes.

Step 5. Go back to the main interface of OBS Studio and head to the Sources panel.

Step 6. Click the plus icon to add the recording sources you need.

Step 7. Click Start Replay Buffer to start buffering replays on your computer.

Step 8. When you need to save the last 5 minutes to your PC, click the Save Replay button next to Stop Replay Buffer.

Step 9. Go to C:\Users\admin\Videos to check the game clip.

Save Replay in OBS Studio

How to Capture Last 5 Minutes on PC with NVIDIA GPUs

If your PC is equipped with a GeForce series GPU from NVIDIA, you have an additional option to capture past gameplay on your PC using NVIDIA ShadowPlay. This feature is included in the GeForce Experience software, which is available for computers using GeForce GPUs.

NVIDIA ShadowPlay offers the ability to record gameplay in high quality, including 4K resolution, and easily share it on platforms like YouTube or Facebook. Most importantly, its Instant Replay feature allows you to record previous gameplay on your PC. Whether you want to capture the last 5 minutes or record the last 30 seconds on your PC, NVIDIA ShadowPlay will meet your needs effectively.

To record the last 5 minutes on PC via NVIDIA ShadowPlay:

Step 1. When you are in the game, press Alt-Z to open the GeForce Experience interface.

Step 2. Click Settings to set the replay time as 5 minutes and customize other output settings.

Step 3. Press Alt-F10 to capture the last 5 minutes on your PC and save it to your computer.

Step 4. Click Gallery to check the recorded game clip.

Bonus Tip: How to Clip on PC Easily

To capture gameplay or other on-screen activities on your PC, it is recommended to try the versatile SurFlex Screen Recorder. This software enables you to capture videos and audio from your computer with ease. It offers various features such as recording the full screen, a selected portion, or a specific window, along with audio capture. Additionally, you can personalize the recording settings according to your preferences. Whether you want to capture gaming moments or any other content on your PC, SurFlex Screen Recorder is a reliable choice.

To clip on PC:

Step 1. Open SurFlex Screen Recorder. Before the screen recording, click Settings to customize the output options.

Windows Screen Recorder Main Interface

Step 2. If you want to record a video with audio on your PC, enable audio recording and select the audio type you need.

Select Audio Recording Option on Windows

Step 3. Choose to record the full screen or a selected region, select the recording area, and then click REC to start recording a video on your PC.

Select Region Drop-Down Menu

Step 4. The recording will start in five seconds (you can customize the option in Settings). Once the recording is finished, click Stop.

Select Recording Region

Step 5. Check the recorded video in the popup window.

All Recordings List

Wrapping Up

In conclusion, there are several effective methods available for recording the last 5 minutes on your PC. Whether you choose to use built-in options like Xbox Game Bar or NVIDIA ShadowPlay, or opt for third-party tools like OBS Studio or SurFlex Screen Recorder, capturing your desired gameplay or on-screen activities is made accessible. After clipping your desired gameplay, you can now share it with others freely.s

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