Which built-in screen recorder should you use on Windows?
Windows comes with three ways to record your screen without installing anything new. They do different jobs, so pick the one that matches what you need to show.
| Snipping Tool | Xbox Game Bar | Clipchamp | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Start with | Win+Shift+R | Win+Alt+R | Record & create tab |
| What it records | Any area you select, including the desktop | The app or game in front | A browser tab, a window or the whole screen |
| Microphone | Yes, optional | Yes, toggle with Win+Alt+M | Yes |
| PC or system audio | Yes, optional | Yes, set under Capturing | Only when you record a browser tab |
| Saves to | Videos > Screen Recordings | Videos > Captures | Downloads (WebM copy), MP4 on export |
| Windows version | Windows 11 | Windows 11 and 10 | Windows 11 and 10 |
For a quick how-to or bug report, Snipping Tool is the fastest. Use Game Bar for games and full-screen apps. Use Clipchamp when you want your face on camera or plan to edit the video afterward.
How to screen record on Windows 11 with Snipping Tool
Microsoft added screen recording to the Snipping Tool app for Windows 11, then added optional PC audio and microphone recording in a later update. If you don’t see a Record option, update Snipping Tool from the Microsoft Store.
- Open the recorder
Press Win+Shift+R. You can also open Snipping Tool from Start, select Record, then select New.
- Pick the area
Drag a rectangle over the part of the screen you want to record. Drag it across the whole screen to capture everything.
- Choose your audio
Before you start, turn your microphone and your PC audio on or off. Snipping Tool’s settings let you choose the defaults for every new recording.
- Record
Select Start. A short countdown runs, then recording begins. You can pause and resume from the toolbar.
- Stop and save
Select Stop. A preview opens where you can copy, share or save the video. Newer versions also save it on their own to Videos > Screen Recordings as an MP4.
How to record your screen with Xbox Game Bar
Game Bar is built for games, but it records most regular apps too. It records the app you have open in front, not the desktop. Dell’s support guide notes it won’t work on the desktop or in apps such as File Explorer and Notepad.
- Turn on Game Bar
Open Settings with Win+I, search for “xbox” and switch on Enable Xbox Game Bar if it’s off.
- Choose what audio to record
Press Win+G, open Settings in the Game Bar, go to Capturing and pick which sounds to include: the game, your mic, other apps or all system sound.
- Open the app you want to record
Click into the app or game so it’s in front.
- Start and stop
Press Win+Alt+R to start. Press Win+Alt+M to mute or unmute your mic while recording. Press Win+Alt+R again to stop.
Game Bar saves each clip as an MP4 in Videos > Captures. The file name includes the app name plus the date and time.
How to screen record on Windows 10
Snipping Tool’s Record button arrived as an update to the Windows 11 app. On Windows 10, you have two built-in choices:
- Xbox Game Bar for a single app or game. The steps and shortcuts above are the same on Windows 10.
- Clipchamp when you need the full desktop, more than one app, or your camera. It runs in the browser at clipchamp.com, so it works on Windows 10 too.
How to record your screen and camera with Clipchamp
Clipchamp is Microsoft’s video editor. Its recorder can capture your screen, your camera or both, then drop the clip straight into the editor.
- Open the recorder
In Clipchamp, go to the Record & create tab and choose Screen or Screen & camera. Allow camera and microphone access the first time.
- Pick what to share
Select your microphone, click the red record button and choose a browser tab, a window or your entire screen.
- Include sound if you need it
To capture the sound playing on screen, pick a browser tab and turn on the audio sharing toggle. Clipchamp says audio recording only works when you record a browser tab.
- Stop and export
Click Stop sharing, preview the take, then choose Save and edit. Export from the top right to get an MP4.
Each take has a maximum length, shown next to the timer while you record. For longer videos, Clipchamp suggests recording in parts and joining them in the editor.
Where do screen recordings go on Windows?
- Snipping Tool: Videos > Screen Recordings (auto-save in newer versions). You can also save a copy anywhere from the preview.
- Xbox Game Bar: Videos > Captures. Open them from Game Bar with Show all captures.
- Clipchamp: a WebM copy downloads to your Downloads folder; exporting from the editor gives you an MP4.
Why is my Windows screen recording not working?
- No Record button in Snipping Tool: update the app from the Microsoft Store. On Windows 10, use Game Bar or Clipchamp instead.
- Game Bar won’t start on the desktop: that’s expected. Game Bar records one app at a time. Use Snipping Tool to record the desktop or several windows.
- No sound from your mic: go to Start > Settings > Privacy & security > Microphone and turn on Let apps access your microphone and Let desktop apps access your microphone. Then check the mic button in the recorder is on.
- No sound from videos or apps: in Snipping Tool, turn on PC audio before you start. In Game Bar, check the Capturing settings include system or all audio. In Clipchamp, record a browser tab with audio sharing on.
- Black or blank video: Microsoft notes that recording can fail when the content on screen is protected. Try a different app or browser tab to confirm.
Record in your browser instead
The Windows tools give you a video file. You still have to upload it somewhere and send the link. We’re building Clipfold, a browser screen recorder (website plus Chrome extension) that records your screen, a window or a tab with optional camera and mic, and has a share link ready the moment you stop. It works the same on Windows, Mac and Chromebook. Clipfold is launching soon with a free plan, and you can join the waitlist now. If you also need sound, see how to record your screen with audio.