Step-by-step guide to recording a timelapse on Windows — from your screen, camera, or both — without any complicated setup.
Windows doesn’t have a built-in timelapse recorder. The native tools (Xbox Game Bar, Camera app) record standard video — if you want a timelapse, you either need to speed up a full recording in a video editor, or use dedicated timelapse software.
This guide covers the dedicated software route using Tau, which handles the full workflow on Windows without any post-processing.
What you need
- Windows 10 or Windows 11
- Tau installed and activated
- A screen, camera, or both to record from
Method 1: Screen timelapse on Windows
Recording your screen as a timelapse is the most common use case — capturing a coding session, design work, or any other activity happening on your display.
Step 1: Open Tau Launch Tau from the Start Menu or taskbar.
Step 2: Start a new recording Click New Recording on the main screen.
Step 3: Select your screen as the source In the source dropdown, select your display. If you have multiple monitors, each will appear as a separate option — choose the one with your work on it.
Step 4: Set your frame interval Choose how often Tau captures a frame. Some reference points:
- 1 frame every 3 seconds → fast-paced, good for short sessions (30–60 min)
- 1 frame every 5 seconds → good all-rounder for 1–3 hour sessions
- 1 frame every 10 seconds → long sessions (4+ hours), slower-paced work
Step 5: Hit Record and work Tau runs in the background. Your machine won’t notice it. Come back when you’re done.
Step 6: Trim and export When you stop recording, Tau opens the editor automatically. Drag the handles to trim, add a timer overlay if you want one, then export as MP4, GIF, or WEBM.
Method 2: Camera timelapse on Windows
Step 1–2: Same as above — open Tau, start a new recording.
Step 3: Select your camera In the source dropdown, select your webcam or USB camera. Any camera Windows recognises will appear here.
Step 4–6: Same as screen recording — set interval, record, edit, export.
Method 3: Screen + camera simultaneously
Tau supports multi-source recording on Windows — you can capture your screen and camera at the same time, with the camera appearing as an overlay in the final video.
Step 1–2: Open Tau, start a new recording.
Step 3: Enable multi-source In the recording setup, add a secondary source alongside your primary one. Select your camera as the secondary input.
Step 4: Position the camera overlay Choose the corner and size for the camera feed before recording starts.
Step 5–6: Record, then edit and export as normal. The composite is handled automatically.
Tips for Windows timelapse recording
Use a wired connection for external cameras. USB-connected cameras are more stable than Bluetooth on Windows.
Turn on Do Not Disturb before recording. Windows notifications appear on screen and look cluttered at timelapse speed. Settings → System → Focus or Do Not Disturb.
Use a dark theme in your app if possible. Dark interfaces look cleaner in timelapses. VS Code, Figma, and most design tools have dark modes.
Set your screen to your actual working resolution. Recording at native resolution and exporting at a matched quality setting gives the best results.
Tau is available for Windows and macOS. Download at trytau.app.