How to screen record on Windows 11
Press Win Shift R, drag over what you want to record, and click Start. Windows 11’s Snipping Tool saves the video as an MP4 in your Videos folder.
Record your screen with the Snipping Tool
The Snipping Tool is built into Windows 11 and records video as well as screenshots.
- Press Win Shift R. Or open the Snipping Tool from the Start menu, click the video camera icon and then New.
- Drag a box over what you want to record. To record everything, drag from one corner of the screen to the other. Newer versions can also record the whole screen in one click.
- In the toolbar at the top, turn on the microphone if you want your voice, and system sound if you want the sound from your PC.
- Click Start. A three-second countdown runs, then recording begins.
- Use the pause button if you need a break, and the red stop button when you’re done.
The recording opens in the Snipping Tool so you can watch it back.
Where your recordings are saved
Windows 11 saves Snipping Tool recordings as MP4 files in:
C:\Users\your name\Videos\Screen Recordings
To change the folder, open the Snipping Tool, click the … menu, choose Settings, and click Change next to where screen recordings are saved. In the same place you can turn automatic saving off, and save each recording yourself with Ctrl S.
Recording a game or one app: the Xbox Game Bar
Windows 11 also has the Xbox Game Bar, which records the app you’re in rather than an area of the screen. It’s the better choice for games; see how to record gameplay on PC.
- Click into the app or game you want to record.
- Press Win Alt R. A small timer shows that it’s recording.
- Press Win Alt M to switch your microphone on or off.
- Press Win Alt R again to stop.
Game Bar recordings are saved in Videos\Captures. It can’t record the desktop or File Explorer, and it stops at the maximum length set under Settings › Gaming › Captures.
When a raw recording isn’t enough
The Snipping Tool gives you exactly what was on the screen. That’s fine for a quick clip, but recordings that other people will watch, such as a product demo, a tutorial or a how-to for a colleague, are hard to follow at full-screen size: the text is small and the pointer is easy to lose.
screenrecordwindows.com is a free way to screen record on Windows 11 that edits while you record:
- Automatic zoom. It eases in on each click and on the field you type in, so viewers can read what you’re doing.
- A smooth cursor. A shaky mouse path becomes a steady glide, with a click effect you choose.
- Click focus. Dim the rest of the screen for a moment so an important click can’t be missed.
- Privacy blur. Email addresses, API keys, card numbers and phone numbers are found and blurred for you.
- Any shape. Export 16:9 for YouTube or 9:16 for TikTok and Reels from the same recording.
Press Alt R to start, pick a screen, a window or an area, and press Record. When you stop, the video is already edited. Download it free.
Snipping Tool, Game Bar or a screen recorder?
| Snipping Tool | Xbox Game Bar | screenrecordwindows.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Records | An area or the screen | One app window | A screen, window or area |
| Microphone and PC sound | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Webcam | No | No | Yes |
| Zooms and cursor effects | No | No | Yes, automatic |
| Editing | Trimming at most | None | Full timeline |
| Price | Free | Free | Free, Pro removes the watermark |
Questions
What is the shortcut to screen record on Windows 11?
Windows + Shift + R opens the Snipping Tool's recorder. Windows + Alt + R starts an Xbox Game Bar recording of the app you're in.
Why can't I find the record button in the Snipping Tool?
Screen recording needs a recent version of the Snipping Tool. Open the Microsoft Store, go to Library and update the Snipping Tool, then look for the video camera icon next to the screenshot icon.
Why is my Snipping Tool recording silent?
The microphone and system sound are switched in the recording toolbar before you start, and the microphone can be off by default. Sound recording also needs Snipping Tool version 11.2307 or newer.
Where are Snipping Tool recordings saved?
In Videos\Screen Recordings in your user folder. You can change the folder, or turn automatic saving off, in the Snipping Tool's settings.
Can I edit a screen recording on Windows 11?
The Snipping Tool can trim at most, and Clipchamp, which comes with Windows 11, is a general video editor. screenrecordwindows.com edits as you record, adding zooms on your clicks and a smooth cursor without manual editing.