Windows 11 has two built-in screen recorders that can capture sound: the Snipping Tool, which records any area of the screen with your microphone and system audio, and the Xbox Game Bar, which records a single app window. You can also use Clipchamp or a free app such as OBS Studio for longer, more advanced recordings. This guide covers all of them, plus how to fix recordings that have no sound.
Quick Answer
Press Windows + Shift + R to open Snipping Tool in record mode. Drag to select an area, turn on the microphone and system audio buttons, and click Start. Click Stop when finished, then save the MP4.
Method 1: Snipping Tool (Full Screen or Any Area)
- Update Snipping Tool from the Microsoft Store > Library so you have the audio options.
- Press Windows + Shift + R, or open Snipping Tool and click the video camera (Record) icon.
- Drag across the area to record, or select the whole screen.
- Click the microphone icon to include your voice and the speaker icon to include system audio (sound from videos, apps and games).
- Click Start. A three-second countdown begins.
- Use Pause if needed, then click Stop (red square).
- Preview the clip and click Save (Ctrl+S). Recordings are saved as MP4, by default in Videos > Screen Recordings.
To make audio on by default, open Snipping Tool ⋯ > Settings and turn on the options to include microphone input and system audio when recording.
Method 2: Xbox Game Bar (One App Window)
- Open the app or game you want to record and click inside it.
- Press Windows + Alt + R to start recording immediately, or Windows + G to open Game Bar and click the record button in the Capture widget.
- Toggle the microphone in the Capture widget, or press Windows + Alt + M.
- Press Windows + Alt + R again to stop.
- Find clips in Videos > Captures.
In the Audio widget and in Settings > Gaming > Captures, choose whether to record Game audio only or All audio. Game Bar cannot record the desktop or File Explorer; use Snipping Tool for those.
Method 3: Clipchamp
Clipchamp, included with Windows 11, has a Record & create > Screen and camera option that captures your screen, microphone and optionally your webcam, then lets you edit the video right away. Microsoft’s help pages note a time limit per screen recording, so it suits shorter tutorials.
Method 4: OBS Studio (Free, Advanced)
- Download OBS Studio from its official website and install it.
- Add a Display Capture or Window Capture source.
- Check the Audio Mixer: Desktop Audio and Mic/Aux should both show levels.
- Click Start Recording. Recordings go to your Videos folder by default.
OBS lets you record multiple audio tracks, add a webcam overlay and record for as long as your disk allows.
Which Method Should You Use?
| Tool | Records | Mic + system audio | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snipping Tool | Full screen or area | Yes | Quick tutorials and bug reports |
| Xbox Game Bar | One app window | Yes | Games and single apps |
| Clipchamp | Screen and webcam | Yes | Short videos you want to edit |
| OBS Studio | Anything | Yes, separate tracks | Long or professional recordings |
Recording Has No Sound?
- Make sure the audio buttons were turned on before you clicked Start.
- Check Settings > Privacy & security > Microphone and allow microphone access for desktop apps and Snipping Tool.
- Choose the right input in Settings > System > Sound > Input and speak to confirm the level moves.
- If you are using Bluetooth headphones, try recording through the PC speakers or a wired headset.
- Some streaming services block recording of protected video, which can produce a black screen or silence.
- Update Snipping Tool and your audio drivers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a time limit?
Snipping Tool and Game Bar don’t advertise a fixed time limit for most users, but long recordings create large files. Game Bar lets you set a maximum recording length in Settings > Gaming > Captures.
Can I record only my voice without system sounds?
Yes. Turn on the microphone and leave system audio off.
Is recording other people’s content legal?
Record meetings or calls only with participants’ permission, and respect copyright on streamed content.
Summary
- Press Windows + Shift + R.
- Select the area.
- Turn on mic and system audio.
- Click Start, then Stop and Save.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.