2 Ways to Screen Record on Windows 11 Natively
Want to record your gameplay or a demonstration video? Previously, to record screens on Windows, people used third-party apps or evenChrome extensions. But with the recent Windows 11 update, the screen recording feature is now available natively. You can now use Snipping Tool to record your screen. It is easy to use with minimal features and customization options. Here’s how to screen record on Windows natively and take advantage of all the features it offers.
Screen Record on Windows With Snipping Tool
First, ensure to update the Windows OS to a version above Windows 11 22H2. To do that, pressWin + Ito open the Settings app, then select theWindows Updateoption in the sidebar. Click on theCheck for updatesbutton and update to the latest version.
The screen recording feature is only available on Snipping Tool for Windows 11. Windows 10 has Snipping Tool but it can only take screenshots.
1.Once updated, click on theWindows icon, search forSnipping Tool, and open it.
2.In the Snipping tool app, select theRecordoption in the top bar.
3.Then click on theNewicon or pressCtrl + Nto start a new recording.
4.Now select the screen area that you want to record. To select,left-click on the mouse and drag diagonallyto select the area. Unlike taking screenshots with the Snipping Tool, you cannot choose Windows or full screen while recording screen. To record the entire screen, you need manually select the entire screen.
5.Once selected, you can adjust the selection if needed. Once happy, click on theStartbutton at the top.
6.Snipping Tool will start recording the screen after a countdown of three. You will see an option to pause the recording, stop it, or even delete it directly.
7.To stop the recording, just click on thered square iconat the top.
8.It will open Snipping Tool and show a preview of the screen recording. The recording is not saved on your device yet. Here, click on theSaveicon at the top right corner to save the recording to the folder location of your choice.
Screen Record on Windows With Xbox Game Bar
You could screen record on Windows natively before the Snipping Tool feature was introduced using the Xbox Game Bar. But the app is heavy and can be complicated to use for some people. Also, by default, Game Bar was meant to only record game plays. But you can make a few customizations to make it work for other apps too.
1.Click on theWindows iconand search for theXbox Game Barapp on your Windows.
2.Now you should see a top bar with options that you’re able to use while gaming. Click on theCog iconto open Settings.
3.In the Settings window, select theCapturingoption in the sidebar. Then under the Audio to Record section, selectAlland close the window.
4.Now to start recording, just click onWin + Alt + R. The screen recording will start instantly.
5.you may click on the mic icon beside the recorder to stop and start recording the audio anytime. Once done with the recording, click on theStop icon (White square icon)to stop the recording.
6.The recorded video will be saved inVideos > Capuresin theC drive.
7.To change the keyboard shortcut, open Xbox Game BarSettings > Shortcuts, and under theStart/Stoprecordingoption, enter the keyboard shortcut that you prefer. Once done, click on theSavebutton below to change the keyboard shortcut to record it.
Easy Ways to Record Screen on Windows 11
Both native screen recording options have their own pros and cons. The Snipping Tool app allows selecting the screen area, but cannot record audio yet. Whereas the Xbox Game bar app can record the audio but lacks the ability to select the screen area.
Ravi Teja KNTS
Tech writer with over 4 years of experience at TechWiser, where he has authored more than 700 articles on AI, Google apps, Chrome OS, Discord, and Android. His journey started with a passion for discussing technology and helping others in online forums, which naturally grew into a career in tech journalism. Ravi’s writing focuses on simplifying technology, making it accessible and jargon-free for readers. When he’s not breaking down the latest tech, he’s often immersed in a classic film – a true cinephile at heart.
