Quick Answer:
Want to know how to record your screen on Windows 11 or 10 with audio?
Got a Windows PC and pressed Win + G to record, only to find the video came out silent, or realized your Xbox Game Bar not recording audio issues are driving you crazy? Learning how to screen record on windows can be frustrating when built-in tools fall short.
If you are on a Mac, or if you only need a quick clip where the basic tool is already enough, you can skip this page. But if you need to record screen and microphone at the same time Windows requires, custom area captures, or an option to record screen without watermark Windows users love, read on.
| Best For | Price | Record Area | System + Mic Audio | Webcam Overlay | Time Limit | Watermark | Built-in Editor | Who Should Pick | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AnyMP4 Screen Recorder | Tutorials, full control, system + mic audio | Paid (Free Trial) | Full screen or custom area | (Both at once) | No limit | No watermark | (Trim) | Editors & Creators needing professional audio & editing | |
| Xbox Game Bar | Quick game clips & single windows | Free | Full screen (single window only) | Limited (No desktop/File Explorer sound) | About 2 hours per clip | No watermark | Gamers wanting a zero-download quick clip | ||
| Snipping Tool | Quick region clips on Win 11 | Free | Custom region | (Win 11 latest update) | Limited | No watermark | Casual users needing quick Windows 11 region clips | ||
| OBS Studio | Free streaming & multi-source setup | Free | Full screen or custom area | No limit | No watermark | Power users needing free, multi-source streaming |
AnyMP4 Screen Recorder is a comprehensive screen recording software that functions as a video, audio, game, window, webcam, and phone recorder. This screen recorder for Windows 10/11/8/7 is designed to capture various screen activities on your computer’s screen. It lets you capture your screen activities with the option to include audio from your system or microphone.
Why use it:
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Here’s how to how to screen record on Windows with audio using AnyMP4 Screen Recorder:
1. Start by clicking Free Download to acquire the program. Install AnyMP4 Screen Recorder on your Screen and launch it afterward.
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2. In the main interface, you will find various options for recording, such as Video Recorder, Audio Recorder, Game Recorder, etc.
This tutorial will use the Video Recorder feature as part of the demonstration.
3. After selecting the Video Recorder tab, toggle the Recording Area tab. Choose whether to record the screen in Full or Custom.
4. To record the screen with audio, decide whether to capture System Sound, Microphone audio, or both by toggling the buttons.
5. After configuring the recording area and audio settings, click REC to initiate the recording.
A three-second timer will appear on your screen, preparing you to start recording screen activities.
6. During recording, you’ll typically see a floating toolbar with options to pause or stop recording.
AnyMP4 Screen Recorder is a feature-rich Windows screen recorder with audio suitable for users who need to create professional-looking tutorial videos, record gameplay, or capture online content with audio. Besides that, AnyMP4 Screen Recorder will display a Preview window after the recording, enabling you to trim unnecessary recordings.
Xbox Game Bar is a built-in recording software for Windows 10 and 11 that provides various gaming-related tools and features, including screen recording, capturing screenshots, broadcasting gameplay, and more.
mportant Limit: If you are searching for a Game Bar cannot record desktop fix, note that Game Bar cannot record your raw computer desktop, File Explorer, or certain protected browsers, and it only records active game and app windows.
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Here’s how to master screen record on Windows 10 or 11 using Xbox Game Bar:
1. Press the Windows key + G on your keyboard to open the Xbox Game Bar. For Windows 11 users, this shortcut should work also.
If this is your first time using the Xbox Game Bar, it will prompt you to confirm whether you’re using it for a game. You can select Yes; this is a game option to proceed.
2. Once the Xbox Game Bar opens, you will see a panel with various options. Look for the recording controls.
3. Click the red circle button labeled Record to start recording your screen. Optionally, you can configure some recording settings by clicking the Settings button before recording.
4. To end the recording, press the Windows key + G again or click the Stop button in the recording controls. Otherwise, return to the Xbox Game Bar and click the Stop button.
5. After you have stopped the recording, the Xbox Game Bar will notify you that your recording has been saved.
You can click this notification to access your recorded video or navigate to the Captures folder on your computer to find your recorded videos.
Xbox Game Bar recording feature is a convenient game recording option for quickly capturing screen activities, mainly for gamers and users who need simple recording functionalities without advanced editing. However, Xbox Game Bar is primarily designed for capturing games, so it might not be the most feature-rich screen recording solution for all use cases.
If you are on Windows 11, you have a second hidden built-in screen capture tool inside the native Snipping Tool app, perfect for how to screen record on Windows 11 with sound without installing heavy software.
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Here’s how to use the Snipping Tool video mode to capture screen on Windows 11:
1. Press Windows key + Shift + S or open the Snipping Tool from your Start menu.
2. Switch the capture mode from the camera icon to the Video camera icon at the top.
3. Click New, then click and drag your mouse to select the custom area of the screen you want to capture.
4. Click Start to begin recording, and click Stop when you are done. The recording file will be saved automatically to your Screen Recording folder. You can change the destination folder by clicking the settings before starting recording.
OBS is a popular open-source software for how to screen record on PC and streaming video content. Many creators and professionals use it for its high customizability. It is a popular open-source software for Windows 10/11 screen recording and streaming video content. Many content creators, gamers, educators, and professionals use it to capture screen activities, create video tutorials, stream gameplay, and more. OBS Studio is known for its flexibility and customization options, making it suitable for various recording needs.
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Here’s how to use OBS studio settings for recordING screen with audio on Windows systems:
1. Before you start recording, configure the recording settings. To do so, click File, select Settings, and choose your desired recording settings in the Output tab.
2. To begin, create a new scene by right-clicking the Scenes box and selecting Add Scene. Give the scene a name and click OK.
3. Next, click + under the Sources box and choose Display Capture to capture your computer’s screen. Otherwise, select Window Capture to capture a specific window.
4. After adding a source, you can configure its settings by right-clicking the source in the Sources box and selecting Properties.
Configure audio settings in the Audio Mixer section to capture audio from your microphone or system sound.
5. Click Start Recording to enter the Preview mode to see how the recording will look. When you’re ready to start, click the Start Recording again.
6. To stop recording, click Stop Recording. The recording will be saved in the location specified in the output settings. (Check where the OBS recording file location is?)
OBS is a powerful screen recording and streaming software offering high customization and control. It’s an excellent choice for users who need advanced recording features, flexibility, and the ability to create professional-quality content. However, beginners will need to invest time in learning how to use its features effectively.
Does Windows have a built-in screen recorder?
Yes. Windows 10/11 has a built-in screen recording feature called the Xbox Game Bar, and Windows 11 includes a video recording mode in the Snipping Tool. For older systems or advanced needs, you can use AnyMP4 Screen Recorder.
Why does Xbox Game Bar record no audio (or only the mic)?
Game Bar allows you to record in-game audio and your microphone, but it blocks recording or external audio sources if you attempt to capture unsupported desktop layers or restricted app windows.
Can I record the desktop or File Explorer with Game Bar or Snipping Tool? No, Xbox Game Bar specifically restricts recording on the Windows desktop and File Explorer. You need a dedicated tool like AnyMP4 Screen Recorder to capture any desktop window freely.
How long can Windows record the screen without a time limit?
Built-in tools like Game Bar often have strict caps or fill up temporary caches quickly. OBS Studio and AnyMP4 Screen Recorder support long recordings limited only by your hard drive space, though AnyMP4 optimizes file sizes efficiently.
Which is better for recording with system + mic audio at once, AnyMP4, Game Bar or OBS?
If you want a straightforward, reliable tool with independent volume sliders and zero setup friction, AnyMP4 Screen Recorder is the best choice compared to configuring complex OBS audio mixers or hitting Game Bar limitations.
To record screen with audio on Windows 10/11 is really easy. If you need a quick game clip and nothing else, use the built-in Xbox Game Bar. If you want a quick region capture on Windows 11, try the Snipping Tool video mode. If you are recording tutorials with both system sound and your microphone with zero time limits, download AnyMP4 Screen Recorder. And if you want a free, open-source setup for streaming and multi-source capture, go with OBS Studio!