What you can record on a PC, and which tool to use
Windows PCs come with a built-in recording tool called Xbox Game Bar that captures video and audio from your screen without installing anything. If you use Windows 10 or 11, you already have it. For audio-only recording—like voice memos or podcast interviews—the built-in Voice Recorder app works without setup. If you need to record from an external device (a microphone, camera, or instrument plugged into your PC), you'll need a separate recording process because Windows doesn't route external audio through Game Bar by default.
The tool you choose depends on what you're recording: your screen, your voice through a microphone, or audio from another source. Each method uses different software and takes a different number of steps. This guide covers the three most common scenarios and how to set each one up.
Key Takeaways
- Xbox Game Bar (built into Windows 10 and 11) records your screen and system audio with one keyboard shortcut: Windows key + Alt + R.
- Voice Recorder, also built in, records only audio from your PC's microphone and saves files as .m4a audio format.
- To record audio from an external microphone or instrument, you need a third-party app like Audacity (free) because Windows doesn't route external audio to Game Bar.
- Before you record, check that your microphone is set as the default input device in Windows Sound settings.
- Video files from Game Bar save to your Videos folder; audio files from Voice Recorder save to your Recordings folder.
Recording your screen with Xbox Game Bar
Xbox Game Bar is the fastest way to record what's happening on your screen. It captures both video and the audio playing through your speakers (system audio). Open the app or window you want to record, then press Windows key + Alt + R to start recording. A small control panel appears in the top right corner of your screen showing a red dot and a timer. Press the same keys again to stop.
Your video file saves automatically to C:\Users\[Your Username]\Videos\Captures as an .mp4 file. You can watch it in Windows Media Player or any video player. Game Bar also lets you adjust the video quality and frame rate before you record. Open Game Bar (Windows key + G), select the Settings gear icon, go to Captures, and choose your preferred resolution and frame rate. Higher quality uses more storage space.
Game Bar works best for recording tutorials, gameplay, or anything happening on your screen. It does not record audio from an external microphone unless you change your audio settings first—it only captures what your speakers are playing.
Recording your voice with the built-in Voice Recorder
Voice Recorder is a straightforward app for recording audio from your PC's microphone. Search for "Voice Recorder" in the Windows Start menu and open it. You'll see a microphone icon and a red Record button. Click Record to start, and the app displays a timer showing how long you've been recording. Click the stop button (a square icon) when you're done.
Your recording saves as an .m4a audio file in C:\Users\[Your Username]\Music\Recordings. You can play it back in the Voice Recorder app itself or in Windows Media Player. The app also lets you trim the beginning or end of a recording if you captured extra silence or noise. Open the file in Voice Recorder, click the three-dot menu, and select Trim to edit.
Before you record, make sure your microphone is set as the default input device. Right-click the speaker icon in your taskbar, select Sound Settings, scroll down to Advanced, and check that your microphone appears under Input devices. If it doesn't, click it and select Set as Default.
Recording audio from an external microphone or instrument
If you've plugged a USB microphone, audio interface, or instrument into your PC and want to record it, you need a third-party app because Voice Recorder and Game Bar don't capture external audio inputs. Audacity is a free, open-source recording program that works on Windows, Mac, and Linux. read it from audacityteam.org, install it, and open the program.
In Audacity, the dropdown menu at the top left shows your available input devices. Click it and select your external microphone or audio interface. Then click the red Record button to start. The waveform (a visual representation of the sound) appears on screen as you record. Click the pause button to stop, and File > Export > Export as MP3 to save your recording. Audacity saves in its own project format by default, so you must export to MP3, WAV, or another audio format if you want to share or play the file elsewhere.
Before you record in Audacity, test your levels. Record a few seconds of audio, play it back, and check that the volume is loud enough but not distorted (the waveform should not touch the top or bottom of the track). If it's too quiet, adjust the input level slider next to the microphone dropdown. If it's too loud, lower the slider or move your microphone farther away.
Checking your microphone and audio settings before you record
Most recording problems come from a microphone that isn't set up correctly. Before you record anything, test your microphone in Windows. Right-click the speaker icon in your taskbar, select Sound Settings, and scroll down to Input. You'll see a list of input devices and a blue bar labeled "Test your microphone." Speak into your microphone and watch the bar move. If it doesn't move, your microphone isn't connected or isn't set as the default device.
If your microphone isn't showing up, check that it's plugged in (for USB microphones) or connected via Bluetooth (for wireless microphones). Wait a few seconds for Windows to recognize it, then refresh the Sound Settings page. If it still doesn't appear, your microphone may need a driver update. Visit the manufacturer's website, read the latest driver for your microphone model, and install it.
For external audio interfaces or instruments, make sure the device is powered on and connected before you open your recording app. Some devices need to be set as the default input in Sound Settings before the app will see them. If you're recording from a guitar or keyboard through an audio interface, plug the instrument into the interface first, then plug the interface into your PC.
Where your recordings save and how to find them
Different apps save recordings to different folders. Game Bar saves video to Videos\Captures. Voice Recorder saves audio to Music\Recordings. Audacity saves to wherever you choose when you export. To find these folders quickly, open File Explorer, click This PC on the left, and navigate to your user folder. You'll see Music, Videos, and other folders listed.
If you can't find a recording, search for it by file type. Press Windows key + S to open Search, type *.mp4 to find all video files or *.m4a to find Voice Recorder audio files. Windows will show you every file of that type on your PC. You can also sort your Videos and Music folders by date modified to see your newest recordings at the top.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I record my screen and my microphone at the same time?
Yes. Open Game Bar (Windows key + G), click Settings, go to Audio, and make sure Microphone is turned on. Then start recording with Windows key + Alt + R. Your screen and voice will both be captured in the same video file.
Why is my recording silent or very quiet?
Check that your microphone is plugged in and set as the default input device in Sound Settings. Test it using the blue bar in Sound Settings. If the bar doesn't move when you speak, your microphone isn't being recognized. For external devices, make sure they're powered on and the volume is turned up on the device itself, not just in Windows.
What video format does Game Bar save in?
Game Bar saves as .mp4, which plays in Windows Media Player, VLC, and most video players. You can change the video quality and frame rate in Game Bar Settings before you record, but the format stays the same.
Can I record more than one audio source at the same time?
Not with Voice Recorder or Game Bar. Audacity can record from multiple inputs if your audio interface supports it, but you'll need to configure the inputs in Audacity's preferences first. For most home recording, a single microphone or instrument input is enough.
How much storage space do recordings use?
A one-minute video from Game Bar at standard quality uses about 50 to 100 MB. Audio from Voice Recorder uses much less—about 1 MB per minute. Longer recordings or higher video quality will use more space. Check your available storage in File Explorer by right-clicking your C: drive and selecting Properties.