How to download youtube videos on pc for offline viewing?

A simple way to record the screen with OBS, which is completely free. Rather than "downloading" the video file directly, you are creating a perfect, high-quality copy by recording your screen and system audio as the video plays. It's a powerful technique favored by content creators for its reliability and control, turning your PC into a universal video capture tool.

How to download youtube videos on pc for free

Step 1: Download the version for your operating system (Windows, macOS, or Linux). Run the installer and follow the setup wizard. The default settings are fine for most users.

Step 2: At the bottom of the OBS window, you'll see the "Sources" box. Click the "+" button. From the list, select "Window Capture." A dialog box will appear. Give this new source a name, like "YouTube Window," and click OK.

Step 3: To record the video's sound, you need to capture your system's audio, make sure the "Desktop Audio" is not muted.

Step 4: Open the YouTube video you want to "download." Press play. In the main OBS control window, click the "Start Recording" button.

Let the entire video play. You will see a timer in the controls indicating the recording is active. When the video is finished, click the "Stop Recording" button.

Step 5: By default, OBS saves your recordings in the Videos folder in your user directory. You can change this location by going to File > Settings > Output and looking at the "Recording Path" under the Recording section.

Pro Tip: Use a High-Quality Source. You'd better playing the YouTube video at the highest resolution (e.g., 1080p or 4K) for the best results.