Method 1: Xbox Game Bar (Built-In, Free)

Windows 10 and 11 include Xbox Game Bar which records the screen. It was designed for gaming but works for recording any app window.

  1. 1

    Open the app you want to record

    Xbox Game Bar records the currently active window, not the entire desktop. Click into the app you want to capture first.

  2. 2

    Press Windows + G

    This opens the Xbox Game Bar overlay. If it does not open, go to Settings → Gaming → Xbox Game Bar and make sure it is enabled.

  3. 3

    Click the record button or press Windows + Alt + R

    In the Capture widget, click the filled circle (record) button. Or skip opening the overlay and press Windows + Alt + R directly to start recording immediately.

  4. 4

    Stop recording

    Press Windows + Alt + R again, or click the stop button in the small recording timer that appears in the corner. The recording saves automatically.

  5. 5

    Find your recording

    Recordings save to This PC → Videos → Captures as MP4 files. You can also access them from Xbox Game Bar → Show all captures.

Keyboard shortcuts summaryWindows + G: open Game Bar. Windows + Alt + R: start/stop recording. Windows + Alt + M: toggle microphone. Windows + Alt + Print Screen: take a screenshot of the current window.

Method 2: Snipping Tool (Windows 11)

Windows 11 updated the Snipping Tool to include screen recording. Open Snipping Tool (search in Start menu) → click the video camera icon → click New → drag to select the area to record → click Start. Simple and lightweight.

Method 3: Free Third-Party Tools

  • OBS Studio (free): The most powerful free option — records full desktop, multiple sources, streams to Twitch/YouTube. Steeper learning curve but no limitations.
  • ShareX (free): Excellent free tool with many options including scrolling capture and annotation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Xbox Game Bar can only record individual application windows — not the full desktop or File Explorer. For full desktop recording, use OBS Studio or the Snipping Tool in Windows 11.
Xbox Game Bar records system audio by default. To toggle microphone recording: Windows + Alt + M while recording, or set it up in Game Bar settings before starting. In OBS Studio you can configure multiple audio sources including system audio and microphone separately.