This is how I make my .gif files. What is a .gif file? It is kinda like a slideshow, or a video without audio that plays over and over. Here are the basic instructions:

1. Get a video recorder (I use Windows Expression Encoder 4)
2. Record what you want to make a .gif
3 (optional). Cut it down to what you want to play over
4. Convert it to .gif

Here are the more advanced instructions:
1. Get a video recorder
The first step which ONLY needs to be done once is to get a video recorder. There are hundreds out there. You can even your phone camera if you want! I suggest using a recorder that does not have a watermark (ex: Says "Bandicam.com" at the top), but make sure it outputs to a universal format, or can get to a universal format (like .mp4, .wmv, .avi, etc).

2. Record what you want to make a .gif
You need to make a video file to convert it into a .gif file. To do this, you must go into your recorder, and record a video. Try to keep it under 30 seconds, but the file size has no limit. It has to end as a universal output that converters do recognize. The file types allowed:

• .3g2
• .3gp
• .avi
• .flv
• .mkv
• .mov
• .mp4
• .mpeg
• .ogg
• .webm
• .wmv

I will not go over the optional 3rd step above, since it is optional.

3. Convert the file
There are a lot of ways to convert it too, but I think the best ways are online converters. Here are some I use:

Using Online Convert:
1. Find "Image Converter" and click "Convert to GIF"
2. Select the file of the video for "Upload your image you want to convert to GIF:"
3. Hit "Convert file"
4. Wait for it to allow you to save it
5. Save the file

Using Zamzar:
1. Select the file from "Choose File"
2. Select to convert to .gif
3. Put in your email to send the link of the converted file (Does not send periodic ads!)
4. Hit "Convert"
5. Wait for an email from them
6. Click the link in the email and download the file

Using Free File Convert:
1. Select the tab "Convert File"
2. Select the file using "Input Value"
3. Select to convert to .gif
4. Hit "Convert"
5. Wait for it to convert
6. Right click the link to the file
7. Hit "Save Target As..."
8. Save the file

4. Upload the file to somewhere...
There is no program that comes with the operating system. You have to upload them to test them. You can upload them anywhere you can get the link to... or these fourms. You can upload them to Imgur, or upload the file on these forums, not much else to say.

Example .gifs: