Screen recording can be of great help in many modern-day tasks. Be it recording your gameplay, instructions for someone, or just a bug that you wish to report, screen recording can help you with the same.

But how do you record your screen on Windows 11? And can you record your audio? Let’s find out!

You can easily record your screen in various ways on Windows 11. Some tools allow you to record your screen audio while others don’t. Either way, you can use the stereo mix to try and record your audio in unsupported apps as well.

You can use native tools that can be found pre-installed in Windows 11 or use third-party apps depending on your current preferences and needs. Use either of the sections below to record your screen on Windows 11.

You can use the Xbox Game Bar or Microsoft PowerPoint in Windows. We recommend trying the Xbox Game Bar as it is pre-installed on all Windows 11 systems. If that does not work for you then you can try out Microsoft PowerPoint or one of the third-party tools mentioned below.

Related: 3 Ways to Disable Lock Screen on Windows 11

The Xbox Game Bar is now pre-installed in all versions of Windows 11. It comes with a number of different tools and features that you can use to your advantage.

We will be using the same to record our screens.

Follow the sections below depending on your needs to record your screen using the Xbox Game Bar. 

Press Windows + i and click Gaming.

Click and enable the toggle for Open Xbox Game Bar using this button on a controller.

Now press the button or use Windows + G on your keyboard to launch the game bar. You should now have a Capture widget in the top left corner.

If not, click the Capture icon in the game bar.

Once everything is working as intended, press Esc on your keyboard to close the game bar. Now go and select the window where you wish to record and press Windows + Alt + R.

A widget should appear in the top right corner signifying that the recording has begun.

Once you’re done recording, simply click the Stop icon or press Windows + Alt + R.

The clip will now be recorded and stored in the following directory by default. 

C:\Users\USERNAME\Videos\Captures

You can now access and use the recorded videos as you wish.

The Game Bar will be configured to record your system audio by default. If by chance your system audio isn’t being recorded, you can check and enable the same using the guide below. 

Press Windows + G or the button on your controller to access the Game Bar. Click the Gear () icon.

Now change your custom shortcuts for Start/Stop recording.

Select one of the options below under AUDIO TO RECORD depending on your preferences. Select All as we wish to record audio in our screen captures as well.

Close the settings window and you can now continue recording your screen as usual with your customized options.

Microsoft PowerPoint also allows you to record your screen. Use the steps below to help you along with the process.

Note: OBS Studio is automatically configured to record your system audio by default. A source for desktop audio is included in the Sound widget by default. If it is absent, add the same to ensure that you can record your system audio. 

Open Microsoft PowerPoint on your PC and open a blank presentation temporarily.

Click Record at the top.

Click Select Area and select the area you wish to record.

Click and drag on your screen to select an area.

Click and enable the following at the top.

Now click the Record icon at the top to start your screen recording.

Record the necessary data and then click the Stop icon once you’re done. You can also press Windows + Shift + Q to stop your recording.

The recording will now be stopped and automatically added to your temporary presentation. Right-click on the same to view the context menu.

Select the desired location to save your recording on your PC and enter an appropriate name for the same.

Once you’re done, click Save.

And that’s it! The recording will now be saved to the selected storage on your PC. You can now edit and use the same depending on your current needs. 

Third-party tools offer additional control and recording options when screen recording on Windows 11. If you want more control over your screen recordings, then a third-party tool might be a better option for you.

We recommend you use OBS studio as it is free and quite easy to use with a plethora of customization options.

If however, OBS studio does not fit your current needs, then you can try one of the alternatives mentioned in the next section. Here’s how you can use OBS Studio to record your screen in Windows 11.

Download and install OBS Studio on your system using the link above. Once installed, launch the same on your PC. Click Cancel once the auto-configuration wizard launches.

Click Browse beside Recording Path.

Choose a location where you wish to store your screen recording. Click Select Folder once done.

Click Recording Quality and choose one of the options depending on your preferences. 

Click the drop-down menu for Recording Format and choose your preferred format from one of the following options.

Click the drop-down menu for Base (Canvas) Resolution and select your desired resolution. It is recommended that you keep this resolution in-line with your current display resolution.

Click Output (Scaled) Resolution and choose the output resolution for your screen recordings.

Click the drop-down menu beside Common FPS Values and select your desired FPS for your screen recording.

Once you’re done, click OK.

Click the + icon in the Sources widget.

Now select the desired source you wish to record. In most cases, you will need to choose either of the following options. Click and choose the same from the list on your screen.

We will be using Window Capture for this guide. Enter a name for your new source at the top.

Ensure Make source visible is checked and click OK.

Click the drop-down menu for Window and select the window you wish to capture from your PC. 

Click Capture Method and try one of the alternative methods to capture your window if you do not receive any display.

Check the following boxes depending on your preferences.

Click OK once you’re happy with your preferences.

The display capture source, as well as its output, will now be added to your base canvas. Click and drag one of its corners to adjust its size on the canvas if needed.

Once you’re happy with the size and placement, click Start Recording.

The recording will now begin and you can perform the necessary actions on your PC that you wish to record. Once you’re done, go back to OBS studio and click Stop Recording.

You will now find your screen recording in the directory we specified at the start of this guide. You can now use and edit the screen-recorded video as intended on your PC. 

If OBS Studio is too complicated or not up to the mark for your needs then you can try one of the alternatives mentioned below. Our quick list of pros and cons should help you decide the best alternative based on your current needs. 

CamStudio is a popular screen recording software that helps produce AVI files and includes the ability to screen record your audio as well. Here are some prominent pros and cons of CamStudio.

ShareX is a comprehensive screen capturing tool that can not only record your screen but also capture screenshots in multiple ways. Here are the prominent pros and cons you will have to deal with when using ShareX to record your screen. 

Loom is another free screen recorder for Windows 11 that focuses on user experience and makes the process of recording your screen simpler and easier to use. Here are some of the prominent pros and cons when using Loom on Windows 11. 

If you have an Nvidia GPU then you can also the GeForce Experience and its ShadowPlay to record your screen. Here are the prominent pros and cons you will have to face when using Nvidia GeForce Experience to record your screen.

Stereo Mix is an optional virtual device offered by most modern audio adapters for PC. Enabling listening on the same allows you to consolidate all your input and output audio streams through a single channel.

Thus this can help you record your system audio if you’re unable to use one of the features above to record audio. Use the steps below to enable listening on Stereo Mix if you can’t record your system audio.

Press Windows + i and click Sound.

Scroll to the bottom and click More sound settings.

Click and switch to Recording.

Right-click Stereo Mix and select Properties.

Click the drop-down menu for Device usage: and select Use this device (enable).

Tip: Disable any microphones and other recording devices on your system to only record your system audio.

Click Apply. Close and re-open Stereo Mix Properties once done.

Check the box for Listen to this device.

If the Xbox Game Bar is missing from your system, you can install it using the Microsoft Store link below. Click and open the link in your preferred browser and click Get in Store app.

You will now be redirected to the Microsoft Store. Click Install.

Once the Game Bar has been installed, use the guides above to use the same on your PC.

We hope this post helped you easily record your screen on Windows 11. If you face any issues or have any more questions for us, feel free to reach out using the comments below.

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