How to Change Where OBS Saves Recordings
You can change where OBS Studio saves your recordings in just a few clicks. Instead of letting your videos pile up in the default location, you can send every new recording to a folder or drive that makes more sense for your setup.
In OBS, go to Settings → Output → Recording Path, then choose the folder where you want future recordings saved.
If you are actually trying to locate a video you already recorded, check out How to Find OBS Recordings on Your Computer instead.
How to Change the OBS Recording Location
To change where OBS saves your recordings:
Open OBS Studio.
Click Settings.
Select Output from the menu.
Find the Recording section.
Look for Recording Path.
Click Browse.
Choose the folder where you want OBS recordings saved.
Click Apply, then OK.
Your future OBS recordings will now save to the new location.
Changing the recording path does not move recordings you already created. Those files will remain wherever OBS originally saved them.
Create a Dedicated Folder for OBS Recordings
Instead of sending recordings into a general Videos or Documents folder, I recommend creating a dedicated folder specifically for OBS.
Something as simple as:
Videos → OBS Recordings
works perfectly.
If you record a lot of content, you can take it a step further and create folders for different projects, channels, clients, games, or types of content.
The goal is simple: make your recordings easy to find without having to hunt through your computer every time you finish recording.
Can OBS Record Directly to an External Drive?
Yes. You can also change your OBS recording path to a folder on an external hard drive or SSD.
Connect the drive to your computer first, then go to:
Settings → Output → Recording Path → Browse
Select a folder on the external drive and save your changes.
This can be useful if you record long videos or high-quality footage that eats through storage quickly.
Just make sure the external drive is connected before you start recording. If OBS is pointed toward a drive or folder that is no longer available, you may run into problems when you try to record.
Check Your Available Storage Space
OBS recordings can get large surprisingly fast, especially when you are recording at higher resolutions, frame rates, or quality settings.
Before choosing a recording location, check how much free space is available on that drive.
If your main computer drive is already getting crowded, moving your OBS recording folder to a larger secondary or external drive can keep recordings from swallowing the rest of your storage.
Where Does OBS Save Recordings?
OBS saves recordings wherever your current Recording Path tells it to.
You can check that location at:
Settings → Output → Recording Path
You can also quickly open your current recording folder by clicking:
File → Show Recordings
So if your problem is not changing the folder but figuring out where OBS has been putting everything, see How to Find OBS Recordings on Your Computer for the full walkthrough.
Once you set a recording location that actually makes sense for your workflow, OBS will keep sending new recordings there until you change it again.
Looking for Creator Gear?
If you’re building or upgrading your streaming and recording setup, check out my Creator Gear Guide for some of the equipment, accessories, and tools I recommend for streamers and content creators. From audio and recording gear to keyboards, cameras, and other setup essentials, it’s a good place to start if you’re figuring out what belongs in your own creator toolkit.
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