Screen recording with audio on Windows 11 isn’t totally complicated, but at the same time, it’s kind of weird how Windows makes it a bit more convoluted than it needs to be. The built-in tools like the Xbox Game Bar work pretty well for quick captures, but you gotta make sure everything’s set up right — which is sometimes more trial and error than it should be.
How to Screen Record with Audio on Windows 11
Gathering both your screen and audio — whether it’s mic, system sounds, or both — is usually for making tutorials, gaming clips, or quick demos. The thing is, if you don’t configure the audio properly, you end up with a silent video or just bad quality sound. Anyway, here are the steps that usually work. And yes, on some setups, you might need to tweak a few things to get it right.
Method 1: Using Xbox Game Bar (Built-in, simple but limited)
First off, press Windows + G to open the Xbox Game Bar. This is the default screen recording tool built into Windows, targeted at gamers but good enough for basic stuff. Once it opens, look for the “Capture” widget. If you don’t see it, click the Overlay menu icon and add it manually.
The Capture widget looks like a little camera icon. When you click on it, it shows options for screenshots and recordings. To record with audio, you need to toggle the microphone icon (which is a little microphone symbol) to ‘on.’
Before jumping in, verify your audio devices in the Game Bar settings (Settings > Gaming > Xbox Game Bar) — make sure your microphone and speakers are selected correctly. On some machines, the microphone might default to a different device, so you might have to change that in Windows Sound Settings (Settings > System > Sound).
Once that’s sorted, just click Start Recording (or press Windows + Alt + R) and do your thing. When you’re done, hit the same shortcut or click the stop button in the overlay. Files will be saved to C:\Users\YourName\Videos\Captures. If you’re lucky, audio records fine. Otherwise, you might need to fiddle with the Input device settings or check if your microphone’s permissions are enabled in Privacy Settings.
Not sure why, but sometimes the microphone doesn’t pick up during the first try. Restarting the Game Bar or even your PC can fix hiccups. Also, keep in mind that the Game Bar records the entire screen and is kind of limited if you want to crop or do advanced editing afterward. Still, it’s quick and gotcha covered for most casual needs.
Method 2: Using OBS Studio (More control, more setup)
So, if the Game Bar is not cutting it or audio isn’t recording properly, OBS Studio is the way to go. Honestly, it’s a bit more complex to set up but gives you way more flexibility. Plus, it can record multiple sources, including system audio, microphone, and even specific windows or monitors.
Download OBS from [obsproject.com](https://obsproject.com/) and install. When you launch it for the first time, it’ll ask about auto-configuration but just skip that for now. You’ll want to add “Display Capture” as a source — that’s your screen. Also, add “Audio Output Capture” to record system sounds and “Audio Input Capture” for your mic.
In the Mixer section, check that your speaker and microphone levels look good — not muted or too low. If you don’t see your mic, go to Settings > Audio and assign the correct devices. It can be a little tricky because Windows sometimes assigns default devices that aren’t what you want. Also, verify in Privacy Settings > Microphone that apps like OBS have permission to access your mic.
Once setup’s done, hit Start Recording and do your thing. When done, click Stop Recording. Files are usually saved in the default folder, but you can change this in Settings > Output. Settings like bitrate, resolution, and audio quality can be tweaked for better results, but honestly, just messing around with those can help find the sweet spot.
Expect some trial and error initially — especially with audio — but once set, OBS can record everything reliably. It’s kind of overkill for simple capture, but if you need professional quality or specific audio tracks, it’s worth the effort.
Tips for Screen Recording with Audio on Windows 11
- Test your microphone beforehand — just speak into it and check the levels in the Sound Settings (Settings > System > Sound) or in OBS’s mixer.
- If background noise is an issue, use headphones — it’s easier to prevent echo and unwanted sounds that way.
- In the Xbox Game Bar or OBS, tweak the audio balance — too loud, too quiet, or distorted? Adjust accordingly.
- Keep your environment quiet when recording if possible. Sounds like keyboard tapping or external noise can ruin your audio quality.
- Review your recordings and use simple editors (Windows Photos app or other) to trim or enhance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I record only a part of the screen?
Not with Game Bar — it records full screen or the selected window. If crop or specific regions matter, OBS is better, or use a dedicated cropping tool afterward. On some setups, cropping during editing is the easiest route.
Is system audio capture possible without mic?
Yes, just disable the mic in the capture settings or the overlay. In OBS, you can toggle audio sources to record only what the system produces, no problem.
Things go wrong with audio — what then?
Check your default input/output devices, permissions, and ensure your drivers are up to date. Sometimes Windows resets the device permissions after updates, so a quick double-check can save hours of frustration.
Long recordings (over an hour)?
Sure, but watch out for disk space and system performance. Long videos tend to get big quick, and if the storage is limited, recording might cut out or files get corrupted. Keep an eye on your disk usage during longer sessions.
Summary
- Use Windows + G for quick easy recordings with the Game Bar.
- Open the Capture widget, toggle mic, and hit Start Recording.
- Stop with the same shortcut, find your videos in the
Videos > Captures. - For more control or better audio options, give OBS Studio a shot.
Hopefully this shaves off a few hours for someone. Getting the perfect audio and video combo takes some messing around, but once you get it, it’s pretty smooth sailing. Good luck experimenting!