How to Record the Screen on Your Windows PC (original) (raw)

Last Updated : 20 Feb, 2026

Screen recording on Windows is useful for creating tutorials, reporting issues, or saving important on-screen activity. Windows provides built-in recording tools along with powerful options from Microsoft. This guide explains how to record your screen using Game Bar, Snipping Tool, PowerPoint, and other alternatives with simple steps.

**Record Screen on Windows PC Using Windows Game Bar

The Xbox Game Bar is built into Windows and works well for recording most apps and gameplay.

**Note: Game Bar cannot record the desktop, File Explorer, or some built-in Windows apps.

**Step 1: Enable Game Bar

• Open Settings (Win + I).
• Go to Gaming > Xbox Game Bar.

• Turn on "Enable Xbox Game Bar".

Step 2: Start the Game Bar App

• Open the app or window you want to record.

• Press Win + G to launch Game Bar.
• Click the Record button or press Win + Alt + R.
• Continue your activity. A small floating bar will appear with recording status.

**Step 3: Stop Recording & View File

• Press Win + Alt + R again to stop.
• You’ll see a notification click it to open the recording.
• Or manually navigate to:
  C:\Users[username]\Videos\Captures

**Step 4: Customize Game Bar Settings (Optional)

Go to Settings > Gaming > Captures to adjust:

• Save location
• Background recording
• Audio/video quality
• Frame rate (30 or 60 FPS)

Windows 11’s Snipping Tool now includes a screen recording feature.

**Requirement: Windows 11 build 22621.1344 or higher.

Update via Settings > Windows Update if needed.

**Step 1: Update Snipping Tool

• Open Microsoft Store.
• Go to Library → Update the Snipping Tool.

**Step 2: Final Recording Screen

• Launch Snipping Tool (Start Menu or Win + Shift + S).
• Click the video camera icon on the toolbar.
• Click New.
• Select the recording area.
• Click Start to begin recording.
• Use Pause and Play if needed.
• Click Stop to finish.

**Step 3: Save the Recorded Video

• After recording:
  • Click Save to download as an MP4.
  • Click Share to send via apps/services.

Record the Screen on Your Windows PC using PowerPoint

PowerPoint includes a built-in screen recorder ideal for presentations.

**Step 1: Open Screen Recording Tool

• Open PowerPoint.
• Go to the Insert tab.
• Click Screen Recording (under Media).

**Step 2: Select Area & Start Recording

• Click Select Area and drag your cursor to choose the region.
• Enable audio/pointer if needed.
• Click Record (red circle). A short countdown begins.

**Step 3: Stop Recording

**Use:

• The control dock at the top, or
• Win + Shift + Q

The video is automatically inserted into your slide.

**Step 4: Edit & Export

• Resize or trim the video in PowerPoint.
• **To export as a video:
  File > Export > Create a Video

**Alternative Way to How to Record Screen

If built-in tools don’t meet your needs, try these:

**1. OBS Studio

• Free and professional grade
• Perfect for high quality screen recording & streaming
• Highly customizable

**2. Wonder share Filmora

• Includes an easy screen recorder
• Great for editing long recordings

**3. Chrome Extensions

• Loom or Screencastify offer quick browser-based recording

**4. Online Screen Recorders

• Tools like Apowersoft Free Online Screen Recorder let you record without installations.