Recording gameplay on a PC running Windows 11 might seem pretty straightforward — but, of course, it’s not always as smooth as it sounds. The built-in way is the Xbox Game Bar, which is pretty handy since it’s ready to go out of the box and doesn’t need extra software. Still, there are times it acts up or doesn’t give you the quality you’re after, especially if you’re aiming for higher resolutions or recording multiple audio sources.
How to Record Gameplay on PC Windows 11
Snagging that gameplay footage is a mix of simple steps and a bit of fiddling if things don’t go as planned. Here’s what’s worked on a few different setups — but fair warning, sometimes you’ll hit a snag and need to troubleshoot.
Step 1: Open the Xbox Game Bar
Press Windows key + G. On some setups, this brings up the overlay nice and quick; on others, it might not open straight away if it’s not enabled or if there’s a driver issue. To check if it’s turned on:
Settings > Gaming > Xbox Game Bar > Turn on "Open Xbox Game Bar using this button on a controller"Once it’s up, you should see the capture widget among the tools. If not, click on the Widgets menu and select Capture.
Step 2: Start Recording
Click the Record button (the circle icon) in the capture widget or press Windows key + Alt + R. Usually, this kicks off recording straight away. If nothing happens, double-check if the overlay is active — sometimes it’s a bit laggy or needs a restart.
On one PC it worked the first time, on another I had to restart the Game Bar or even reboot — Windows likes to make life tricky, doesn’t it?
The recordings capture both game sound and system audio if your game’s active and the right audio sources are selected in the settings.
Step 3: Stop Recording
Press Windows key + Alt + R again or click the Stop button (the square icon) in the widget. You’ll get a quick notification confirming it’s been saved. The clip automatically goes to Videos > Captures. Of course, Windows makes it pretty easy to find your footage after it’s done.
Step 4: Find Your Files
Fire up File Explorer and head to Videos > Captures. Easy as. Sometimes, you get a tiny clip or a big, high-quality file. If it’s not where you expected, check the save location in the Xbox Game Bar settings under Settings > Gaming > Captures.
Step 5: Adjust Recording Settings (Optional but Worth Doing)
If you want better quality or higher frame rates, jump into the Xbox Game Bar settings and tweak the Video quality and Frame rate. You can also choose a different save folder if your main drive’s pretty full or cluttered.
For 4K or higher bitrate recordings, you might want to look at other tools like OBS Studio or similar, especially if you need dual audio, overlays, or live streaming options. But for a quick clip or two, the Game Bar usually does the trick.
Tips for Recording Gameplay on PC Windows 11
- Make sure you’ve got enough storage space — those big 4K clips gobble up space fast.
- Test your microphone and game audio levels before the main event — nobody wants to record a sick kill, only for it to be silent or muffled.
- If your Wi-Fi is dodgy, plug in via Ethernet when recording online multiplayer — buffering is a pain.
- Keep your GPU drivers up to date — old drivers can cause stutters and bugs.
- Look into third-party tools if you’re after more control or better compression. OBS Studio, for example, offers heaps of options but has a bit of a learning curve.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I record gameplay without using the Xbox Game Bar?
Yep, you can use software like OBS Studio, NVIDIA ShadowPlay, or AMD Radeon ReLive if you want more control or streaming options. Sometimes, the Xbox Game Bar just doesn’t work right on certain PCs, so having a backup’s a good idea.
What video format does the Xbox Game Bar use?
MP4, which is pretty handy since it plays everywhere and is easy to edit later. The quality might sometimes be a bit rough, but it’s fine for quick clips.
How do I get higher-res recordings?
Head into the Xbox Game Bar settings and bump up the resolution and frame rate — 1080p at 60fps is standard. For 4K, you’ll probably need to switch to a more advanced tool like OBS that allows custom encoding settings.
Can I record both screen and webcam at the same time?
Not with Xbox Game Bar — it’s pretty limited in that department. Use OBS Studio if you want to record your face along with the game, especially for tutorials or streaming overlays.
Why are my recordings stuttering or lagging?
Usually because your PC’s a bit under the pump or the settings are too high for your hardware. Close unnecessary apps in the background, update your drivers, and try lowering the resolution or frame rate if needed.
Summary
- Open Xbox Game Bar.
- Start recording with Windows key + Alt + R.
- Stop recording the same way or via the widget.
- Find your footage in
Videos > Captures. - Adjust your settings if the recordings aren’t quite right.
Hopefully this helps save a few hours. Recording can be a real pain in the ass sometimes, but once you get the hang of it, it’s pretty satisfying to catch those epic wins or funny fails. Good luck, and make sure you clear some space before your next big recording sesh!