Where Are CS2/CS:GO Demos Stored?

If only you had recorded the match, or at least the game-changing segments, you would have been able to showcase those nasty plays with absolute pride. Not only that, but you would have been able to infinitely replay them back for yourself, gloating around and retracing your steps so you could do it all over again. Tough luck, right?

In this article, we’re going to teach you how to record demos and where are CS:GO demos stored, so you can finally get the recognition you deserve and be able to share your best frags and clutches.

Demos have been a part of CS:GO culture through what seems to be the entirety of the game’s existence. They are essentially archived recordings of matches that players can go back to for numerous reasons, such as:

• Performance overview: If you record some of your CS:GO matches, you’ll be able to monitor your performance from A to Z. Whether it’s movement, aim precision, recoil control, or map awareness that you’re trying to improve, replaying your games can be quite helpful.

• Showcase: Recording some of your playmaker moves will enable you to have something to brag with to your friends, gaming squad or just a random player you’ve met online.

• Online content: Many players record demos of their gameplay in CS:GO so they can create video content and post it on social media and video streaming platforms. The recordings can be edited to your liking by adding voiceovers, voice chat captions, etc. 

There are two possible ways that you can record your matches in CS:GO, depending on what exactly it is that you’re after. If you’d like a more thorough gameplay overview, we recommend going with the native recording tool, which is accessible in-game.

If, however, you’re just looking to get POV footage of your performance, a third-party screen recording software might be your best bet. So, how should you go about recording your games, and where are CS:GO downloaded matches saved on your machine? Let’s have a look. 

Recording Demos Within CS:GO

Of course, the preferred tool for recording your CS:GO matches should always be the native screen recording tool within the game. This way, if you choose to access your recordings through the CS:GO menu, you can view them in the demo UI created by Valve and enjoy a variety of enhanced playback settings.

In order to do this, you will need to utilize the console by entering a simple record command. The demo recordings will then be saved within your CS:GO instance, where you’ll be able to stream them or download them to your machine for offline use. Here’s how to record, download, and locate your saved CS:GO plays:

• When your match starts, open the CS:GO console using the tilde (~) key. If you just want to record a segment of the game, start the process when convenient.

• Type in the command record, followed by a single spacing and the name you want to save it under without spacings. An example of a command such as this would be record demo_recording_1.

• When you conclude your recording session, all you have to do to stop recording is open the console again using the tilde (~) key and enter the command stop. The recording will automatically finish if your match ends before inserting the command.

• To enter the demo UI, type the command demoui in the console. A pop-up window will appear on the left side of the screen.

• Once in the demo UI, click on Load to be presented with all of your recorded matches, and pick the one you want to replay.

Default CS:GO Demos Location

Depending on what operating system your PC is running under, the default location of your saved demos can vary. Unless you configured your instance to store recordings at a specified location, here’s CS:GO where are demos saved: 

• • WIndows: C:\Games\Steam\steamapps\common\Counter-Strike Global Offensive\csgo\replays

• macOS: Finder>yourUsername>Library>ApplicationSupport>Steam>SteamApps>Common>Counter-Strike Global Offensive>csgo

Recording CS:GO Demos Using A Third-Party Tool

Many players face the problem of insufficient storage when recording demos with the native CS:GO tool. Although the demo UI does allow you to explore the match from a free-roam perspective, this, unfortunately means that the recordings will take up an abundance of space on your machine.

In order to minimize space consumption, you’re far better off using a third-party screen recording tool. One of the most popular ones among gamers is, of course, OBS, which is available to download for free from their official website. This way, you might take a hit by losing all of the demo UI benefits. However, you will still get a solid POV recording of your gameplay, bearing a smaller size that fits your PC more.

Start the recording when you feel it is appropriate, and stop it when you’re finished. Your footage can then be found at the screen recording app’s default save location.

Any competitive matches that you might have recently played, are available for streaming without having to initiate the recording process manually. They can be accessed through the CS:GO menu by clicking on Watch and then clicking on the Your Matches tab below.

Should you want to download your saved competitive match recordings, just right-click on the file and hit Download. You can then access it on your PC using the default demo location.