Screen recording with audio on Windows 11 isn’t too tricky, but it’s a bit quirky how Windows makes it a bit more complicated than it needs to be. The built-in tools like the Xbox Game Bar do the job for quick snaps, but you’ve got to get everything set up right — which can sometimes be more trial and error than it should be.
How to Screen Record with Audio on Windows 11
Recording your screen along with audio — whether it’s your mic, system sounds, or both — is handy for making tutorials, gaming clips, or quick demos. But if you don’t set the audio up properly, you’ll end up with silent videos or crappy sound. Anyway, here’s the usual steps that work. You might need to tweak a few settings depending on your setup.
Method 1: Using Xbox Game Bar (Built-in, easy but limited)
First up, press Windows + G to open the Xbox Game Bar. It’s the default screen recorder built into Windows, aimed at gamers but fair dinkum for basic recording. When it opens, look for the “Capture” widget. If it’s not showing, click the Overlay icon and add it manually.
The Capture widget looks like a little camera icon. When you click it, you’ll see options for screenshots and videos. To record with audio, you need to toggle the microphone icon (the little mic symbol) to ‘on.’
Before you start, double-check your audio devices in the Game Bar settings (Settings > Gaming > Xbox Game Bar) — make sure your microphone and speakers are sorted. Some machines default to a different mic, so you might need to change that in Settings > System > Sound.
Once it’s all set, click Start Recording (or press Windows + Alt + R) and do your thing. When you’re finished, hit the same shortcut or click the stop button in the overlay. Your videos will be saved to C:\Users\YourName\Videos\Captures. If you’re lucky, the audio records fine. Otherwise, you might need to fiddle with device settings or permissions in Privacy Settings.
Sometimes, the mic might not pick up the first time — a little restart of the Game Bar or even a reboot can sort it out. Also, keep in mind the Game Bar records the entire screen and is a bit basic if you want to crop or do fancy editing afterwards. But for quick jobs, it’s a ripper.
Method 2: Using OBS Studio (More control, more setup)
If the Game Bar isn’t doing it or audio’s playing up, OBS Studio is the go. It’s a tad more complex to set up but gives you heaps more options. You can record multiple sources, like system sounds, your mic, or specific windows or screens.
Download OBS from [obsproject.com](https://obsproject.com/) and install it. When you first open it, it’ll ask about auto-configuration — you can skip that for now. You’ll want to add “Display Capture” as a source — that’s your screen. Also, add “Audio Output Capture” for system sounds and “Audio Input Capture” for your mic.
In the Mixer section, check that your speaker and mic levels look alright — not muted or too quiet. If your mic isn’t showing, go to Settings > Audio and pick the right devices. Sometimes Windows defaults to the wrong ones, so double-check. Also, ensure in Privacy Settings > Microphone that OBS has permission to access it.
Once everything’s set up, hit Start Recording and get into it. When done, click Stop Recording. Your files will be saved in the folder you’ve set in Settings > Output. You can tweak the bitrate, resolution, and audio quality if you like — experiment to find what works best.
It might take a bit of trial and error at first — especially around audio — but once it’s dialed in, OBS records reliably. It might be overkill for casual captures, but if you want top-notch quality or multiple audio tracks, it’s worth the effort.
Tips for Screen Recording with Audio on Windows 11
- Test your mic before you start — speak into it and check levels in Sound Settings (Settings > System > Sound) or in OBS’s mixer.
- If background noise is an issue, chuck on some headphones — it’s easier to avoid echo and unwanted sounds that way.
- Adjust the audio balance in the Xbox Game Bar or OBS — if it’s too loud, soft, or crackly, fix it.
- Keep your environment quiet while recording where you can — keyboard taps and external noise can mess with your audio.
- Check your recordings and use simple editors (like Windows Photos or similar) to trim or tune them up.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I record just part of the screen?
Not with the Game Bar — it records whole screen or a specific window. For cropping or recording a specific region, OBS is better, or do that in an editing app afterward.
Is it possible to record system audio only, without mic?
Yep, just disable the mic in the capture settings or overlay. In OBS, you can toggle audio sources so only system sound gets recorded.
What if the audio acts up?
Check your default devices, permissions, and make sure your drivers are up to date. Sometimes Windows resets device permissions after updates, so it’s worth double-checking.
Recording long videos (over an hour)?
No worries, but keep an eye on your disk space and system performance. Long recordings get big fast, so make sure you have enough storage and that your PC can handle it.
Summary
- Use Windows + G for quick screen recordings with the Game Bar.
- Open the Capture widget, toggle your microphone, and hit Start Recording.
- Stop with the same shortcut, find your vids in
Videos > Captures. - If you want better control or quality, give OBS Studio a crack.
Hope this saves someone a bit of hassle. Getting good quality audio and video takes a bit of fiddling, but once it’s sorted, it’s smooth sailing. Good luck and happy recording!