Recording multiple screens on Windows 11 isn’t exactly a picnic straight out of the box — typical Windows style, making things a bit trickier than they need to be. So, you’ll want some third-party software to do the heavy lifting. The trick is picking something that can handle multi-monitor setups without crashing or turning into a headache midway through. And yep, I’ve seen it happen more times than I care to admit.
How to Record Multiple Screens on Windows 11
The main thing to remember is to get software that can natively support multiple monitors. Once you’ve got that sorted, capturing everything across your screens is a piece of piss. Here’s how it’s usually done:
Method 1: Using OBS Studio (Free, a bit quirky at first)
This is my go-to because it’s free and insanely flexible — but be warned, it can take a bit of fiddling to get used to. Why it’s handy: OBS allows you to set up each display as a separate source, making it dead easy to record all your screens at once. When to use: When you’re after something free, customisable, and capable of streaming as well.
- Download OBS Studio: Head to
https://obsproject.com/and grab the latest version. - Install it: Run the installer and follow the usual prompts — it’s straightforward enough.
- Add Display Capture sources: Open OBS, go to the Sources box, click +, then pick Display Capture.
- Set up each monitor: For each display, add a separate Display Capture source. Make sure all your monitors are detected (if not, check your display settings in Windows).
- Arrange your scenes: You can set up different scenes if you like, but for capturing everything, just bung multiple sources in.
- Hit start recording: Click the Start Recording button — Bob’s your uncle, it records everything across all screens.
You’ll end up with a raw video file once you stop recording, which you can trim or tidy up later. Heads up: sometimes the first go can lag or miss bits… it’s a bit odd, but usually a quick reboot or a few tweaks sorts it out.
Method 2: Using Camtasia or Snagit (Paid, much easier interface)
If mucking about with settings isn’t your thing or you’d prefer a “plug-and-play” setup, Camtasia or Snagit are good options. Why it’s handy: These tools sport a cleaner interface, drag-and-drop recording, and real support for multiple screens right off the bat. When to use: When you want quick results with less fuss and don’t mind paying a bit.
- Download and install: Grab the software from their official sites and follow the setup steps.
- Select your recording zone: In the capture settings, choose Region or switch to Full Screen for multiple displays.
- Set up audio and layout: Most will let you record microphone or system sound — handy for tutorials.
- Hit record: Once set, start capturing. The interface is much simpler, so it’s less of a headache.
While it may not give you the same level of control as OBS, it’s usually more stable and gets the job done quick smart for quick tutorials or clips.
Tips for Recording Multiple Screens on Windows 11
- Set all your displays to their native resolutions — recording at scaled or stretched resolutions can make your footage pixelated.
- Do a quick playback test after recording a short clip, so you catch any lag or quality dramas early.
- Hotkeys are your mates — assign start/stop keys in your recording software to stay focused on your screen.
- If your PC starts choking during recording, try dropping the resolution a bit or closing unnecessary background apps.
- Keep your graphics drivers up to date. Outdated drivers can cause all sorts of glitches, especially with multi-screen setups.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I record multiple screens with Windows’ built-in tools?
Nah, Windows doesn’t support multi-screen recording out of the box. You’re pretty much stuck with third-party options unless you get into virtual displays, which is a bit of a hassle.
What’s a good beginner option?
Snagit’s pretty straightforward for quick captures and basic edits. It’s paid, but if you just want simple multi-screen recording without mucking about too much, it’s worth it.
Do I need a beast of a PC?
Not necessarily. But if your PC is on the older side — especially if RAM or GPU are a bit limited — recording all your screens can slow things down or cause dropped frames. More RAM and a decent GPU do help things run smoother.
Can I record audio as well?
Absolutely. Most tools let you record system sounds and microphone input, which is handy for tutorials or gaming vids.
How do I get good quality recordings?
Match your resolution and frame rate to your output needs. The higher the quality, the more storage and processing power you’ll need, but it’s worth it for clear footage. Play around a bit to find what works best for your setup.
Summary
- Get software that supports multiple screens (OBS, Camtasia, Snagit).
- Install it — don’t forget to update your graphics drivers if needed.
- Set up each display as a separate source or scene.
- Test everything before you do a big recording session.
- Record, then save and edit your clips.
Hopefully this saves someone a ton of grief. Multi-screen recording isn’t perfect in Windows, but with the right software and a bit of patience, it gets the job done. Good luck, mate!