5 Easy Ways to Screen Record on Windows With Audio

Screen recording is a great way to capture and share what’s on your screen, whether for education, content creation, or troubleshooting. This guide will walk you through different methods to screen record on Windows with audio. We’ll also break down the steps for each method and look at their limitations.

If you want to show something on your computer and need a still picture, Windows screenshots work fine. But if you’re explaining things and want to show the action, go for a screen recording. A picture can say a lot, but a video brings those words to life by exactly showing what’s happening. So, let’s look at all the methods.

1. Snipping Tool

The Snipping Tool is the native Windows 11 tool that lets you capture screens and record video. Moreover, the latest updates allow you to record audio while recording the screen on your Windows device. Follow the steps below to record audio while screen recording in the Windows 11 Snipping Tool.

Note: This feature is currently limited to Windows 11.

Step 1: In the taskbar, click the Start icon. Search for the Snipping Tool and select Open.

Step 2: Click the video recording icon and press the New button.

Alternatively, press the Windows + Shift + R key to head directly to the Snipping Tool video recording tool.

Step 3: With the help of your mouse, choose the area you want to record. Now, click the microphone icon in the tool to enable it, as it’s muted by default, and press Start to initiate recording.

Note: If using an external microphone, you can use it to record voice by selecting it in the dropdown menu.

Tip: If the mic icon is grayed out, head to Settings app > Privacy & security > Microphone. Enable the microphone and ensure the button next to the Snipping Tool is toggled on.

Step 4: If you’ve enabled the mic from Settings, follow steps 1-4 again. Click the Start button to initiate recording.

You’ll see a 3-second countdown, and the screen recording will start.

Step 5: Once the recording is complete, press the Stop icon.

Step 6: Finally, you’ll see the video. You can check and save it to your preferred location by clicking the Save button (Floppy icon).

2. Xbox Game Bar

Another built-in screen recorder in Windows that can record both your screen and system audio is the Xbox Game Bar. To record your screen with audio using the Xbox Game Bar, follow the below-mentioned steps:

Note: You can’t record your desktop or File Explorer with the Xbox Game Bar.

Step 1: Launch the app you want to record the screen for and open the Xbox Game Bar by pressing the Windows + G keys on your keyboard.

Step 2: Click the Capture button (monitor with a circle in it) and press the Start recording button (white circle icon). Ensure the microphone icon is enabled to record your screen with audio.

Tip: Start recording your screen directly by pressing Windows + Alt + R.

Step 4: Record your screen, and once done, click the Stop recording button (square icon) to end the recording.

3. Utilizing Third-Party Screen Recording Software

Check our explainer if you’re looking for more ways to record your screen without relying on the Xbox Game Bar. However, using third-party screen recording software can be a game-changer. They provide the flexibility and quality you want. While there are many tools, we’ll use OBS Studios for demonstration. Follow along:

Step 1: Download and install OBS Studio.

OBS Studio

Step 2: Press Windows + S, type OBS Studio, and launch it.

Step 3: If you installed OBS Studio for the first time, follow the steps below. If you’ve installed it before, skip it.

a. Under Usage information, select ‘Optimize just for recording, I will not be streaming’ and click Next.

b. For Video Settings, adjust the Base (Canvas) Resolution and FPS and press Next.

Step 4: Click the + icon under the Sources box and choose Display Capture.

Step 5: Rename the Capture and press OK.

Step 6: Adjust the below-mentioned settings and click OK.

• Capture Method: Choose how OBS captures the contents of your screen.
• Display: If you work with multiple monitors, choose the monitor you want to record the screen from.
• Capture Cursor: Enabling this ensures your cursor movements are recorded in the screen recording.
• Force SDR: Enabling this feature ensures that regardless of their original color space, OBS Studio forcefully converts all video sources to SDR. It’s beneficial when streaming to platforms that don’t support HDR streaming.

Step 7: Under Audio Mixer, adjust the Desktop Audio and Mic/AUX sliders. Finally, click Start Recording and minimize the OBS Studio window.

Tip: If you’re recording the screen with desktop audio, mute Mic/AUX to ensure clarity, and vice versa if you want your voice to guide the video. To mute them, click the volume button next to the slider.

Step 8: Once recorded, maximize OBS Studio and click on Stop Recording.

4. With the Help of Online Websites

If you’re running out of space on your Windows or don’t want to install an extra app on your device, another straightforward way to screen record on your Windows with audio is to use web-based tools.

Online websites can be your trusted companions, as they don’t require downloads or installations. Let’s check out how to do so using the Screen Capture website.

Step 1: Launch a web browser and head to the Screen Capture website.

Screen Capture

Step 2: Check the boxes next to Microphone, Sound, Webcam, and Watermark to enable them. Once done, press the Start Recording button.

Step 3: Now, choose the screen you want to record (Chrome tab, Window, or Entire Screen) and click Share.

Tip: Enable the button at the bottom of the prompt to share the sound in the recording.

Step 4: Give your device permission to use your microphone in the prompt by choosing Allow. Now, the screen recording will start.

Step 5: Once done, head back to the Screen Capture tab and click Stop Recording.

Step 6: Finally, click the Download button next to the video to save it.

5. Via Google Chrome Extensions

Google Chrome extensions could be your best friends if the information above seems too much for you. The extensions are like little helpers that add extra features to your browser, making your life much easier.

Since extensions often have straightforward interfaces and basic capabilities, they are ideal for people who don’t want to put in much effort while capturing video on their Windows PC or laptop. Although several extensions are available, we’ll use Vidyard for the demonstration.

Note: The extension is not allowed to record certain tabs and websites.

Step 1: Launch any web browser and go to the Vidyard website.

Go to Vidyard Website

Step 2: Click the Add to [browser’s name] button.

Step 3: In the pop-up, select Add extension.

Step 4: Create a free Vidyard account.

Step 5: Head to the status bar, click the extension icon and select Vidyard.

Step 6: Allow the extension to use the camera and microphone of your device and click Start recording.

Step 7: Choose the screen you want to record (Chrome tab, window, or entire screen) and click Share.

Step 8: Wait for the 3-second timer before the recording starts.

Step 9: When you finish recording, click the Stop icon in the floating widget at the bottom right corner of the screen.

You can also press Ctrl + Shift + 2 to end recording.

Step 10: From the prompt at the top-right corner of the screen, rename the recorded video, restart the recording, or copy the link to the video. Moreover, you can also go to the page to further edit the video.

Screen Recording Successful

We hope the above article has helped you to screen record on Windows with audio, as it’s a great way to produce clear communications for your audience. Additionally, it eliminates the need for Zoom calls or Google Meets to explain simple tasks to someone, as you can send them a screen recording with audio. Which method do you find the easiest? Let us know in the comments below.