Updated October 2026 · Works on all Windows 11 laptops and desktops
Quick answer: The easiest way to screen record on Windows 11 is the Snipping Tool. Open it, switch to Record (the video camera icon), click + New, select an area, and press Start. To record a game or a single app, press Windows + Alt + R to use the Xbox Game Bar.
Windows 11 has screen recording built in, so you don’t need to download anything. You can record your whole screen, part of it, or a single app, with or without sound.
In this guide you’ll find 5 free ways to screen record, how to include audio, where recordings are saved, and what to do if recording isn’t working.
Which Method Should You Use?
| Method | Best For | Records Desktop? | Audio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snipping Tool | Quick recordings of any area | ✅ Yes | ✅ System sound + mic |
| Xbox Game Bar | Games and single apps | ❌ One app only | ✅ System sound + mic |
| Clipchamp | Recording with your webcam, then editing | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| PowerPoint | Adding a recording to a presentation | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| OBS Studio | Long or professional recordings | ✅ Yes | ✅ Full control |
More options: How to Take a Scrolling Screenshot on Windows
Method 1: Snipping Tool (Easiest)
The Snipping Tool isn’t just for screenshots. On Windows 11 it can record any part of your screen and save it as an MP4 video.
Steps:
- Press Start, type Snipping Tool, and open it
- Click the video camera icon to switch to Record mode
- Click + New
- Drag to select the area you want to record. Select the whole screen to record everything.
- Click Start. A 3-second countdown begins.
- Click the red Stop button when you’re done
- Your recording opens in a preview. Click the save icon or press Ctrl + S to save it.
Shortcut: On recent versions of Windows 11, press Windows + Shift + R to jump straight into Snipping Tool recording.
To record sound: before clicking Start, use the toolbar at the top to turn on system audio (sound from your PC) and/or your microphone.
Method 2: Xbox Game Bar (Best for Games and Apps)
The Game Bar is built into Windows 11 and records one app or game at a time.
Steps:
- Open the game or app you want to record
- Press Windows + Alt + R to start recording right away
- A small timer appears in the corner of the screen
- Press Windows + Alt + R again to stop
Your recording is saved to Videos → Captures.
More controls: press Windows + G to open the full Game Bar. In the Capture widget you can start and stop recording and turn your microphone on or off. You can also press Windows + Alt + M to toggle the mic while recording.
Note: The Game Bar records one app window at a time. It can’t record your desktop or File Explorer. For those, use the Snipping Tool.
Method 3: Clipchamp (Record Your Screen and Webcam)
Clipchamp is Microsoft’s free video editor, and it comes with Windows 11. It can record your screen and webcam together, which is great for tutorials and presentations.
Steps:
- Press Start, type Clipchamp, and open it (sign in with your Microsoft account if asked)
- Click Create a new video
- Open the Record & create tab on the left
- Choose Screen, Camera, or Screen and camera
- Pick the screen or window to record and click Share
- Click Stop sharing when you’re done, then Save and edit
You can then trim your recording, add text, and export it as an MP4.
Method 4: PowerPoint Screen Recording
If you have Microsoft PowerPoint, you can record your screen straight into a slide.
Steps:
- Open PowerPoint and go to the Insert tab
- Click Screen Recording
- Click Select Area and drag over what you want to record
- Click Record. Press Windows + Shift + Q to stop.
- The video is added to your slide. Right-click it and choose Save Media as to save it as a separate file.
Method 5: OBS Studio (Free, for Longer Recordings)
For long recordings, streaming, or more control over quality and audio, OBS Studio is a free, well-known app.
- Download OBS Studio from its official website (obsproject.com) and install it
- Under Sources, click + and choose Display Capture
- Click Start Recording, then Stop Recording when you’re done
Recordings are saved to your Videos folder by default.
Where Are Screen Recordings Saved on Windows 11?
- Snipping Tool → wherever you save them. On recent versions they may also save automatically to Videos → Screen Recordings.
- Xbox Game Bar → Videos → Captures
- Clipchamp → your Downloads folder after you export
- OBS Studio → your Videos folder by default
Screen Recording Not Working? Quick Fixes
Game Bar won’t record: go to Settings → Gaming → Xbox Game Bar and make sure it’s turned on. Remember that it can’t record the desktop or File Explorer, so use the Snipping Tool for those.
No sound in your recording: check that system audio or the microphone was turned on in the toolbar before you started. Also check Settings → Privacy & security → Microphone and make sure apps are allowed to use the mic.
Recording is black: streaming apps like Netflix block recording on purpose. If ordinary browser videos come out black, turn off graphics acceleration in your browser’s settings.
Snipping Tool has no record option: update it in the Microsoft Store (Library → Get updates).
For screenshot problems, see Snipping Tool Not Working on Windows 11.
Related Guides
- How to Screenshot on Windows 11
- Print Screen Not Working on Windows 11
- How to Screenshot on Dell Laptop
- How to Screenshot on HP Laptop
- How to Screenshot on Lenovo Laptop
On a Mac? Press Command + Shift + 5 to record your screen. See How to Take a Screenshot on Mac for the full toolbar.
On an iPhone? See How to Screen Record on iPhone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Windows 11 have a built-in screen recorder?
Yes. The Snipping Tool can record any part of your screen, and the Xbox Game Bar can record games and apps. Both are free and built in.
How do I screen record on Windows 11 with audio?
In the Snipping Tool, turn on system audio and/or your microphone in the toolbar before you press Start. In the Game Bar, turn on your mic in the Capture widget or press Windows + Alt + M.
What is the shortcut to screen record on Windows 11?
Windows + Alt + R starts and stops a Game Bar recording. On recent versions of Windows 11, Windows + Shift + R opens Snipping Tool recording.
Where do screen recordings go on Windows 11?
Game Bar recordings go to Videos → Captures. Snipping Tool recordings save wherever you choose, and may also save automatically to Videos → Screen Recordings on recent versions.
Can I record my whole desktop with the Game Bar?
No. The Game Bar only records one app at a time. To record your desktop or several windows, use the Snipping Tool, Clipchamp, or OBS Studio.
Is screen recording on Windows 11 free?
Yes. The Snipping Tool, Game Bar, and Clipchamp’s screen recorder all come with Windows 11, and OBS Studio is free to download.
Arslan Jaffar is the founder of Screenshot Geek. He writes simple, step-by-step guides for phones, laptops, and tablets, covering screenshots on Samsung, iPhone, Pixel, Dell, HP, Lenovo, and Mac, plus troubleshooting fixes, tips and tricks, top 5 lists, and the latest tech news. His goal is to make technology simple, so you can find the right answer in seconds.