How to record your screen on Windows 11 with audio
Quick answer
On Windows 11, open Snipping Tool, switch to Record, turn on the microphone and system sound, and drag around the area to record. To record one app on Windows 10 or 11, press Win + Alt + R for Xbox Game Bar. For webcam overlay, drawing, trimming or GIF export, use a dedicated recorder such as Screen Recorder One.
Method 1 (free): Snipping Tool on Windows 11
The Snipping Tool that comes with Windows 11 can record video as well as take screenshots. Keep it updated from the Microsoft Store: older versions record without sound.
- Open Snipping Tool from the Start menu and switch to Record (the video-camera icon).
- Click New, then drag around the part of the screen you want. Drag across the whole screen to record everything.
- Turn on the microphone for your voice and system audio for sound playing on the PC.
- Click Start. When you're done, click Stop, then save the video. It's an MP4 file.
Limits: no webcam overlay, no drawing or click highlights while recording, and no trimming or GIF export. Snipping Tool video recording is a Windows 11 feature only.
Method 2: Record with sound in Screen Recorder One
A dedicated recorder is worth it when you record often, need your face on screen, or want to point things out as you talk.
- Install Screen Recorder One from the Microsoft Store and open it.
- Choose what to capture: full screen, one window or a region.
- Turn on the microphone, system sound or both, and the webcam overlay if you want your face in the corner.
- Start recording. After the countdown, use the pen, highlighter and arrows to draw on screen as you go.
- Stop with the hotkey, then trim the start and end and export as MP4 or GIF.
Hotkeys work even while the app is minimised, so the recorder stays out of the shot. Recordings stay on your PC, with no account and no upload.
Method 3 (free): Xbox Game Bar, for one app at a time
Xbox Game Bar is built into Windows 10 and 11. Despite the name, it records most apps, not just games.
- Open the app you want to record and click inside it.
- Press Win + Alt + R to start recording. Press Win + Alt + M to switch the microphone on or off.
- Press Win + Alt + R again to stop. The video is saved in Videos › Captures.
Limits: it records one app window, not the desktop or File Explorer, and it can't switch to another window mid-recording. On Windows 10 this is the only built-in screen recorder.
Which method should I use?
- A quick clip on Windows 11: Snipping Tool.
- One app on Windows 10: Xbox Game Bar.
- Tutorials, demos and lessons with your voice, webcam and on-screen drawing: Screen Recorder One. There's a step-by-step guide to recording a video tutorial.
Tips for clear sound
- Do a 10-second test first and play it back. It's the easiest way to catch a muted mic or missing system sound.
- Use a headset or earphones mic if you can. Laptop microphones pick up keyboard and fan noise.
- Mute notifications with Do Not Disturb (Windows 11: Settings › System › Notifications) so pop-ups and chimes don't end up in the video.
- No sound recorded? Check Settings › Privacy & security › Microphone and make sure microphone access is on for the app you're using.
Questions
Does Windows 11 have a built-in screen recorder?
Yes. Snipping Tool records the screen with microphone and system audio. Xbox Game Bar (Win + Alt + R) records one app window at a time.
How do I record my screen with audio on Windows 10?
Use Xbox Game Bar: press Win + Alt + R in the app you want to record, and Win + Alt + M to turn the microphone on. To record the desktop or several windows, you need a screen recorder app.
Can I record my screen and webcam at the same time?
Not with Snipping Tool or Game Bar. Screen Recorder One adds a webcam overlay to your screen recording.
Why is there no sound in my screen recording?
Usually the microphone or system audio was switched off in the recorder, or Windows has blocked microphone access for that app. Check both, then record a short test.
