How to record your screen on Windows 11
Windows 11 has two screen recorders built in. Both work; neither gives you a link to send. Here is how each one works, and when a browser recorder is quicker.
In short: Press Windows + Shift + R to open the Snipping Tool’s video capture, drag over the area, and press Start. For a single game or app window, Windows + Alt + R records with the Xbox Game Bar. To record with your camera and share a link the moment you stop, use a browser recorder.
Option 1: the Snipping Tool
The Snipping Tool records any part of the screen, including the desktop and several windows at once.
- Press Windows + Shift + R, or open the Snipping Tool and switch to the video camera icon, then choose New.
- Drag to select the area you want to record.
- Check the microphone and system audio buttons in the toolbar, then press Start.
- Press Stop when you’re done. Save the recording from the preview, or open it in Clipchamp to edit.
Recordings are MP4 files. To send one, you still need to upload it somewhere and share that link.
Option 2: the Xbox Game Bar
Press Windows + Alt + R to start and stop recording the app you’re in. It was built for games, so it records one app window at a time and won’t capture the desktop or File Explorer. It’s useful for a quick clip of a single program.
Option 3: a browser recorder with a share link
If someone else needs to watch the recording, a browser recorder skips the save, upload and share steps.
- Open the free screen recorder in Edge or Chrome.
- Pick Screen and camera to add your face in a small bubble, or Screen only.
- Press Start recording, then choose a tab, a window or your entire screen. Tick Share system audio if you need the computer’s sound.
- Press Stop and copy link. The video uploaded while you talked, so the link works straight away.
Which should you use?
| Need | Option |
|---|---|
| A clip to keep on your PC | Snipping Tool |
| One game or app window | Xbox Game Bar |
| Your camera, a link, captions and who watched | A browser recorder |
Troubleshooting
- Game Bar shows “Gaming features aren’t available”: it can’t record the desktop or File Explorer. Use the Snipping Tool instead.
- No computer sound in a browser recording: choose Entire screen and tick Share system audio, or share a tab and tick Share tab audio.
- Work laptop blocks installs: both built-in tools and a browser recorder work without installing anything.
Questions
What is the shortcut to screen record on Windows 11?
Windows + Shift + R opens the Snipping Tool’s video capture. Windows + Alt + R records the current app with the Xbox Game Bar.
Does Windows 11 have a free screen recorder?
Yes, two: the Snipping Tool and the Xbox Game Bar. Both are free and built in.
How do I record my screen and webcam together on Windows?
The built-in tools don’t add your camera. A browser recorder does: choose Screen and camera and your face appears in a bubble you can move.