How to screen record on Windows 11 and 10 (with audio)

Windows 11: Snipping Tool

1. Press Windows + Shift + R, or open Snipping Tool, select Record, then New.
2. Select the area of the screen you want to record. You can pick any connected display, a window or part of the screen.
3. Turn on the microphone if you want to add your voice.
4. Select Start, and Stop when you’re done.

The recording is saved to Videos > Screen Recordings. To add captions or edit, select Edit in Clipchamp, which opens Microsoft’s separate video editor.

Windows 10 and 11: Xbox Game Bar

1. Turn on Enable Xbox Game Bar in Settings.
2. Go to the game or app you want to record.
3. Press Windows + Alt + R to start, and again to stop. Press Windows + G to open the Game Bar controls.

Game Bar records one monitor at a time and saves MP4 files to Videos > Captures. Some games block recording, and the clip comes out blank.

Audio: in Game Bar settings under Capturing, choose All to record all computer sounds. Press Windows + Alt + M to turn your microphone on or off while recording.

When the built-in tools aren’t enough

Neither tool has a webcam overlay or a share link, and neither has its own editor. The apps below add those, and some are free.