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How to Record Windows 11 Screen

Written by: Isaac
Published: September 29, 2025
Reading time: 5 min read
How to Record Windows 11 Screen

How to Record Windows 11 Screen

Windows 11 offers multiple built-in and third-party options for screen recording. Whether you need to create tutorials, capture gameplay, or record presentations, this comprehensive guide covers all the methods to record your Windows 11 screen with high quality. If you're also interested in capturing still images, check out our guide on how to take screenshots on Windows desktop.

Method 1: Use Xbox Game Bar (Built-in)

Windows 11's built-in screen recording tool, perfect for quick recordings.

Steps:

  1. Press Windows + G to open Xbox Game Bar
  2. Click 'Yes, this is a game' if prompted (works for any application)
  3. Click the record button (circle icon) or press Windows + Alt + R
  4. A recording indicator will appear showing the timer
  5. Perform the actions you want to record
  6. Press Windows + Alt + R again to stop recording
  7. Find your recording in Videos > Captures folder
  8. The video will be saved as an MP4 file
?? Pro Tip: Game Bar works with most applications but may not capture some protected content like DRM-protected videos.

Method 2: Use Snipping Tool (Windows 11 Update)

The updated Snipping Tool in Windows 11 includes screen recording functionality. This method is particularly useful if you're already familiar with taking screenshots on Windows using the Snipping Tool.

Steps:

  1. Press Windows + Shift + S or search for 'Snipping Tool'
  2. Click the video camera icon in the Snipping Tool interface
  3. Click 'New' to start a new recording
  4. Select the area of the screen you want to record
  5. Click the record button to start recording
  6. Click the stop button when finished
  7. Save the recording to your desired location
  8. The video will be saved in MP4 format
?? Pro Tip: This method allows you to select specific screen areas and is great for focused recordings of particular windows or regions.

Method 3: Use PowerPoint Screen Recording

Record your screen directly within PowerPoint for presentations.

Steps:

  1. Open Microsoft PowerPoint
  2. Go to the 'Insert' tab in the ribbon
  3. Click 'Screen Recording' in the Media group
  4. Select the area of the screen to record
  5. Click the record button (red circle)
  6. Perform your screen actions
  7. Press Windows + Shift + Q to stop recording
  8. The recording will be embedded in your PowerPoint slide
  9. Right-click the video to save it as a separate file
?? Pro Tip: This method is excellent for creating presentation materials and automatically embeds recordings into your slides.

Method 4: Use OBS Studio (Free Third-Party)

Professional-grade screen recording with advanced features.

Steps:

  1. Download and install OBS Studio from obsproject.com
  2. Launch OBS Studio
  3. Click the '+' in Sources and select 'Display Capture'
  4. Choose your monitor and configure settings
  5. Set up audio sources (Desktop Audio and/or Mic)
  6. Configure recording settings in Settings > Output
  7. Click 'Start Recording' to begin
  8. Click 'Stop Recording' when finished
  9. Find your recording in the configured output folder
?? Pro Tip: OBS offers the most control over quality, formats, and streaming options. It's ideal for content creators and professional use.

Method 5: Use Bandicam (Premium Third-Party)

High-quality screen recording with minimal performance impact.

Steps:

  1. Download and install Bandicam from bandicam.com
  2. Launch Bandicam and select 'Screen Recording' mode
  3. Choose 'Rectangle on a screen' or 'Fullscreen'
  4. Configure video and audio settings
  5. Set the recording area by dragging the selection box
  6. Click the red record button (REC) to start
  7. Perform your screen recording
  8. Click the stop button or press F12 to stop
  9. Access recordings from the 'Home' tab in Bandicam
?? Pro Tip: Bandicam offers excellent compression and quality balance, making it great for long recordings with smaller file sizes.

Method 6: Use Camtasia (Professional)

Complete screen recording and video editing solution.

Steps:

  1. Download and install Camtasia from techsmith.com
  2. Launch Camtasia and click 'New Recording'
  3. Select the recording area (full screen, window, or custom region)
  4. Configure audio settings (system audio and microphone)
  5. Click the red record button to start
  6. Record your screen activity
  7. Press F10 to stop recording
  8. The recording opens automatically in Camtasia editor
  9. Edit and export your video in desired format
?? Pro Tip: Camtasia combines recording with powerful editing tools, perfect for creating polished tutorials and presentations.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Xbox Game Bar not opening or working

Solution: Enable Game Bar in Settings > Gaming > Xbox Game Bar. Ensure the app you're trying to record is recognized as a game. Try running the application as administrator or update Windows 11 to the latest version.

No audio in screen recordings

Solution: Check audio settings in your recording software. Ensure 'Desktop Audio' or 'System Sounds' is enabled. In Xbox Game Bar, click the microphone icon to enable audio recording. Check Windows sound settings and ensure the correct playback device is selected.

Screen recording is laggy or choppy

Solution: Lower the recording resolution and frame rate. Close unnecessary applications to free up system resources. Use hardware acceleration if available in your recording software. Consider using a dedicated graphics card for encoding.

Large file sizes from recordings

Solution: Adjust compression settings in your recording software. Use H.264 codec for better compression. Lower the bitrate or frame rate if quality allows. Consider recording in segments for very long sessions.

Cannot record certain applications or content

Solution: Some applications block screen recording due to DRM protection. Try different recording methods or software. Run the recording software as administrator. Disable hardware acceleration in the target application if possible.

Recording stops automatically or crashes

Solution: Check available disk space for recordings. Update your recording software and graphics drivers. Disable Windows Game Mode if it causes conflicts. Try recording in shorter segments to identify the cause.

Conclusion

Windows 11 provides excellent built-in screen recording capabilities through Xbox Game Bar and the updated Snipping Tool, while third-party solutions like OBS Studio and Camtasia offer advanced features for professional use. For mobile users, you might also want to learn how to record iPhone 16 screen or explore our screen recording tool for browser-based recording. If you need to capture still images instead, our guides on taking screenshots on Windows and changing screenshot locations will help you master Windows screenshot functionality.

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