Screen recording on Windows 11 is pretty straightforward once you know which buttons to press — but of course, Windows tends to make things a bit more complicated than they need to be. Whether you’re capturing a big gaming moment, a quick tutorial, or just want to save some weird glitch for later, this guide will help you get started. The built-in Xbox Game Bar is your best mate for quick captures, but there are also some handy third-party tools if you’re feeling fancy. Just a heads-up: your PC might slow down if it’s not that powerful, or if you leave other apps running in the background. And as for file formats? MP4 is king here, so sharing your videos is a piece of piss. Let’s jump into the steps, with a few tips that helped me troubleshoot along the way.
How to Do Screen Recording in Windows 11
Open the Xbox Game Bar from the right menu
Press Windows + G to bring up the Xbox Game Bar. It’s built into Windows 11, so no need to muck around with third-party software for basic recording. When it pops up, you should see a floating overlay with options—capture, audio, performance. If it doesn’t show up, check if the Xbox Game Bar is enabled in Settings > Gaming > Xbox Game Bar. Also, sometimes the hotkeys get remapped, so double-check your hotkey settings in the same menu and make sure Windows + G is enabled and assigned correctly.
Pro tip: if it refuses to open, try restarting your PC or toggling the Xbox Game Bar switch off and on. Windows loves to make things more complicated than they need to be.
Start Recording (with basic controls)
- Click the Capture widget (it’s a little circle or camera icon).
- Hit the Start Recording button (the circle or maybe it says “Record”).
Sometimes, on certain setups, clicking that button might not do anything immediately—probably because other apps are hogging resources or your permissions are a bit wonky. A small timer will appear showing how long you’ve been recording. You can also switch between full-screen and a specific window; just hover over the window and select it.
Note: If your audio isn’t recording or system sounds aren’t coming through, check the Xbox Game Bar settings under Settings > Captures and toggle Audio to record. It’s a bit strange, but sometimes this setting is off by default.
Stop Recording — and where it goes
- Click the Stop button on the recording bar or press Windows + Alt + R as a shortcut.
Your clip will save automatically, usually in This PC > Videos > Captures. If it’s not there, double-check your save location in the settings—sometimes it gets changed or reset. On one machine, it saved fine; on another, it dumped the file into a random folder with no explanation.
Editing your recordings and sharing
Find your video in the Videos > Captures folder. For a quick trim, the Photos app will do the job, but it’s pretty basic. If you need something fancier, check out free apps like Shotcut or DaVinci Resolve. MP4 is your best format for sharing, easy to upload or embed online.
Sharing is easy—attach the file to an email, upload it to cloud services like OneDrive, or post directly on social media. Just keep in mind, longer videos or those in high res can get pretty big, so consider compressing if storage space is tight.
Tips for Better Screen Recordings in Windows 11
- Tip 1: Use a microphone if you want voiceovers. You can toggle this in Settings > Gaming > Captures.
- Tip 2: Close any apps or tabs you don’t need. It’ll make your recordings smoother and stop notifications from jumping in.
- Tip 3: Customize your hotkeys under Settings > Gaming. For example, set Start/Stop Recording to a more convenient key combo.
- Tip 4: For more advanced stuff—like overlays, switching scenes, or mixing audio—try tools like OBS Studio. It sounds fancy, but it’s free and surprisingly easy once you get the hang of it.
- Tip 5: Keep an eye on file sizes and formats. MP4 files are your best bet for compatibility, especially if you’re planning to upload or embed your videos later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I record the whole screen with Xbox Game Bar?
Absolutely. It can do full screen or just a specific window. Just make sure to select the window or app you want before hitting record, so it focuses on that. Sometimes, if you forget, it records the whole desktop instead.
Does screen recording slow down my PC?
Most likely, yeah. Especially if your PC isn’t that powerful or if you’re running a lot of background stuff. Closing unnecessary apps and turning off gaming overlays can help keep things smooth. I’ve noticed a tiny bit of lag on some setups, but nothing major.
Can I edit recordings directly in Windows 11?
Not really. Windows has some basic trimming tools in the Photos app, but for anything more complex, you’ll want proper editing software. Don’t expect professional-grade editing built-in—that’s still on the to-do list.
How do I include system audio in my recordings?
Check the capture settings in Xbox Game Bar. Make sure Record System Audio is toggled on—otherwise, your videos will be silent, which isn’t much good if you want to record gameplay or tutorials.
What format are my recordings saved in?
MP4 is the default—compatible with most players and easy to upload. Keep in mind, longer recordings or high-quality videos might produce bigger files, so plan accordingly.
Summary
- Open Xbox Game Bar with Windows + G.
- Start recording via the capture widget or shortcut (Windows + Alt + R).
- Stop with the same shortcut or click the stop button.
- Check your videos in This PC > Videos > Captures.
- Edit, share, and do it all again — straightforward as.
Wrap-up
Once you get the hang of it, screen recording on Windows 11 isn’t too bad. The Xbox Game Bar is quick, free, and with a few tweaks, you’ll be making decent recordings in no time. If you’re after more control or some fancy effects, third-party tools like OBS are worth a look. Just keep an eye on your PC’s performance, especially if it’s a bit on the old side. Hopefully, this helps you avoid the usual hassle and gets your recordings sorted faster. Cheers!