How to Screen Record on Windows With Audio

Whether you’re creating tutorials, recording gameplay, or capturing a meeting, being able to screen record with audio on Windows is incredibly useful. Windows 11 includes several built-in tools that let you record your screen along with system and microphone sound — no need to install heavy third-party apps.

In this guide, we’ll show you how to screen record on Windows with audio, using built-in tools like the Xbox Game Bar and third-party alternatives when needed.

1. Use Xbox Game Bar to Record Screen with Audio

Windows 11 comes with a built-in screen recorder called the Xbox Game Bar, which works great for most apps, games, and browser windows. It can record both system audio (sounds from your PC) and microphone audio simultaneously.

Steps to Record Screen with Xbox Game Bar

1. Press Windows + G to open the Xbox Game Bar.
2. In the top menu, click the Capture icon (a webcam symbol).
3. In the Capture window, make sure both of these options are enabled:
   • Turn on mic to record your voice.
   • Turn on system audio to capture in-game or app sounds.
4. Click the Start recording button (the circle icon) or press Windows + Alt + R to begin recording.
5. To stop recording, click the Stop button on the floating toolbar or press Windows + Alt + R again.

Accessing Your Recordings

Your recordings are automatically saved in:

C:\Users\<YourUserName>\Videos\Captures

You can open the Gallery tab in Xbox Game Bar to view, rename, or delete your recordings.

Note: The Xbox Game Bar doesn’t record the File Explorer, Desktop, or certain admin-level windows. For those, use alternative methods described below.

2. Use Clipchamp (Built-in Windows Screen Recorder with Audio)

If you’re using Windows 11 version 22H2 or later, you have access to Clipchamp, Microsoft’s free built-in video editor that includes a powerful screen recorder.

To record your screen and audio in Clipchamp:

1. Open the Start menu and search for Clipchamp.
2. Click Create a new video.
3. In the editor, click the Record & create tab on the left sidebar.
4. Choose Screen and camera or Screen only, depending on your needs.
5. Enable Microphone and System audio to capture both sources.
6. Select the screen or window you want to record and click Share.
7. When finished, click Stop sharing to end the recording.

You can trim, edit, and export your recording directly in Clipchamp.

This tool is ideal for presentations, tutorial videos, and professional content creation — with no watermark.

3. Use PowerPoint to Record Screen with Audio

If you have Microsoft Office installed, PowerPoint offers a surprisingly good screen recording feature that captures both your screen and audio.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Open Microsoft PowerPoint.
2. Go to the Insert tab and select Screen Recording (found on the right side of the ribbon).
3. A toolbar will appear at the top of your screen.
4. Check both boxes:
   • Record Pointer
   • Record Audio
5. Click Select Area to choose which part of the screen you want to record.
6. Click Record to start capturing.
7. Press Windows + Shift + Q to stop recording.

The recording will be embedded directly into your PowerPoint slide. You can right-click the video and choose Save Media as… to export it as a standalone video file.

4. Record Screen with OBS Studio (Free Advanced Option)

If you need more control — for example, to record multiple audio sources, high-resolution screens, or entire desktops — try OBS Studio. It’s free and trusted by creators worldwide.

Steps to Record Screen with OBS Studio

1. Download and install OBS Studio from the official website.
2. Launch OBS and click the + icon under Sources.
3. Select Display Capture to record your entire screen.
4. To include audio, click the + icon again and add:
   • Audio Input Capture (your microphone).
   • Audio Output Capture (system sounds).
5. Adjust audio levels in the Mixer panel to balance system and mic volume.
6. Click Start Recording to begin.
7. When done, click Stop Recording.

Recordings are saved by default in:

C:\Users\<YourUserName>\Videos

OBS offers advanced settings like custom resolutions, audio filters, and scene transitions — ideal for tutorials and streaming.

5. Record a Specific App Window (Alternative in Xbox Game Bar)

If you only want to record a specific app (like Chrome, Word, or a game), the Xbox Game Bar can focus solely on that window.

1. Open the app you want to record.
2. Press Windows + G to open the Xbox Game Bar.
3. Click Start Recording or press Windows + Alt + R.

Windows will record only that app’s window — not the entire desktop — along with its audio.

This is especially useful for gaming or app demonstrations where you don’t want background distractions.

6. Use VLC Media Player (Hidden Screen Recording Feature)

If you already have VLC Media Player, it includes a simple screen capture option that can record both visuals and microphone audio.

1. Open VLC Media Player.
2. Click Media → Open Capture Device.
3. Set Capture mode to Desktop.
4. Choose a frame rate (30 fps works well).
5. Click the arrow next to Play → Convert.
6. In the Convert window, set the destination and format.
7. Click Start to begin recording.

You can add microphone audio by mixing it with screen capture in Advanced Options, but OBS offers better flexibility for audio syncing.

7. Adjust Audio Settings Before Recording

To ensure your audio is captured clearly, check your microphone and system sound settings before you start recording.

1. Press Windows + I → System → Sound.
2. Under Input, choose the correct microphone and test it.
3. Under Output, verify the correct speakers or headset are selected.
4. Adjust the Volume Mixer to make sure no apps are muted.

These settings help prevent silent recordings and ensure balanced audio levels in your video.

8. Use Third-Party Screen Recorders (Optional)

If you need additional features like scheduled recordings, annotations, or webcam overlays, you can use third-party software such as:

• ShareX (Free and open source)
• Bandicam (Lightweight and high-quality output)
• Camtasia (Professional editing tools included)

Each of these tools supports audio recording, and most let you capture both system and microphone sound simultaneously.

Wrapping Up

Recording your screen with audio on Windows 11 is simple once you know which tool suits your needs.

For quick recordings, Xbox Game Bar or Clipchamp are perfect. For tutorials or professional videos, OBS Studio and PowerPoint offer more flexibility.

Always remember to check your audio input and output settings before starting to ensure everything is captured clearly.

Once set up, you can easily create smooth, high-quality recordings — whether you’re making a tutorial, presentation, or gameplay video — all directly from your Windows 11 PC.