How to Screen Record With Audio in Windows 11

This article explains how to screen record with audio in Windows 11. The instructions apply to all versions of Windows 11.

Ways to Record With Audio in Windows 11

Windows 11 has two built-in tools for recording apps: Xbox Game Bar and Snipping Tool. In addition to recording the screen, and depending on the app you use, you can also record the system audio from your computer and external audio from a microphone.

Unfortunately, you can't record your desktop or File Explorer with the Xbox Game Bar. To do that, you'll need to use a different method. Other options include Microsoft PowerPoint's screen recorder, the VLC media player, or a variety of third-party screen capture software.

How to Record Your Screen With the Xbox Game Bar

The Xbox Game Bar is already installed on your Windows 11 PC, so it's by far the easiest method for screen recording with audio:

1. Press Win+G on your keyboard, or search for Xbox Game Bar and open the app.
   

   

2. If you don't see the Capture window in the upper-left corner, select the Capture icon in the toolbar at the top of the screen.

   

3. Select the Settings gear in the top toolbar, then select Capturing on the left side of the Settings window.

   

4. Under Audio to Record, choose All to capture all system sounds or Game to record only audio from the app.

   When you're done, close the Settings window and press Esc on the keyboard to close the Xbox Game Bar.
   

   Check the box next to Record in the background while I'm playing a game to automatically record gameplay.

   

5. Open the app or game you want to record. Press Win+Alt+R on your keyboard, or open the Xbox Game Bar and select the Record button in the Capture window.

   

6. The recording window will appear in the upper-right corner of the screen indicating that your screen is being recorded. To finish recording, select the Stop button or press Win+Alt+R.
   

   

7. Select the pop-up notification or open the Xbox Game Bar to review your recordings.

   

8. You'll see your recording in the Xbox Game Bar Gallery. Select Open file location to go to the file (the default location for screen recordings is C:\Users\[username]\Videos\Captures).

   

How to Record Your Screen With Snipping Tool

The Snipping Tool can be used for making screenshots or recording your screen to a video file, including whatever audio is playing on the computer. It's built-in to Windows 11 and is accessible through the Win+Shift+S keyboard shortcut.

See How to Record Your Screen on Windows 11 for a walkthrough of how this works in Microsoft's Snipping Tool, but here's the gist: Open the tool, press record, define an area on the screen that you want to record, and press Start.

How to Record Your Screen With PowerPoint

Another option is to use the screen recorder in Microsoft PowerPoint. You'll need a Microsoft 365 subscription to use the feature.

1. In a blank presentation, go to the Insert tab and select Media > Screen Recording.
   

   

2. Choose Select Area in the screen recorder window, then click and drag over the area you want to capture.

   Make sure Audio is selected to record sound with your video. Disable Record Pointer to hide the mouse cursor.

   

3. Select Record to begin the recording.

   

4. When you're finished recording, select Stop, or press Win+Shift+Q.

   

5. Your recording will appear in the slide. Right-click the video and select Save Media as to save it as an MP4 file.

   

Other Ways to Screen Record With Audio

There are many third-party screen recorder apps that include tools for editing videos such as Snagit, Screenshot Captor, and ShareX. With Snagit, for instance, you can extract specific frames and create GIFs. Check out our guide for how to record your desktop with VLC to do so with that free software.