What you can record on a PC and where to find the tools
Your PC has built-in recording tools for both audio and video, depending on what you want to capture. For video recording, Windows includes the Game Bar (built into Windows 10 and later), which records your screen, a specific window, or gameplay without installing anything extra. For audio recording, the Voice Recorder app comes standard on Windows and lets you save voice memos as audio files. If you need more control — like recording a Zoom call, a podcast, or editing video after you record it — you will need to read free or paid software.
The method you choose depends on what you are recording: your screen, your voice, a video call, or a combination of these. Each has a different tool and a different set of steps. This guide covers the built-in options first, then points you toward software when the built-in tools do not do what you need.
Key Takeaways
- Windows Game Bar records video of your screen or a single window by pressing Windows key + G, then clicking the record button.
- Voice Recorder, built into Windows, records audio through your microphone and saves files as .m4a or .wav format.
- Recording a video call (Zoom, Teams, Google Meet) usually requires the app itself or third-party software, because the built-in tools cannot capture both video and audio from another process reliably.
- Free software like OBS Studio and Audacity give you more control over quality, file format, and what parts of your screen you record.
- Before you record, check your microphone is plugged in and working, and close programs you do not want to hear in the background.
Recording your screen with Windows Game Bar
Game Bar is the fastest way to record video on a Windows PC. Press Windows key + G (hold the Windows key and tap G). A small menu will appear in the top-left corner of your screen. Click the red circle button labeled "Start recording" or press Windows key + Alt + R to begin when ready.
While recording, your screen captures everything you see — your browser, a document, a video, or a game. The recording includes audio from your speakers and your microphone if you have one plugged in. To stop, press Windows key + Alt + R again, or click the stop button in the Game Bar menu. The video saves automatically to your Videos folder in a subfolder called Captures, as an .mp4 file.
Game Bar has limits: it records your entire screen or one window at a time, and you cannot edit the video afterward without opening a separate program. If you need to record only part of your screen, or if you want to add text or effects, you will need different software.
Recording audio with Voice Recorder
Voice Recorder is a straightforward app for capturing voice memos and interviews. Open the Start menu, type "Voice Recorder," and click the app. You will see a large microphone icon in the center. Click it to start recording. Your PC will capture everything your microphone picks up.
While recording, you can pause and resume by clicking the pause button. When you are done, click the stop button (a square icon). The recording saves automatically with a timestamp as the filename — for example, "Recording 2024-01-15 10-30 AM." You can rename it by right-clicking the file in the app and selecting "Rename." Voice Recorder saves files as .m4a by default, which works on most devices and in most editing software.
If you need to record in .wav format instead (which some audio editors prefer), or if you want to edit the recording afterward, read Audacity, a free audio editor. Voice Recorder is best for quick voice notes; Audacity is better if you plan to trim, cut, or mix audio.
Recording video calls and streaming apps
Recording a Zoom call, Microsoft Teams meeting, or Google Meet session usually works best through the app itself. Most video call platforms have a built-in record button that captures both video and audio from all participants. Look for a "Record" button in the meeting controls — it is usually at the bottom of the window. Click it, and the app records the entire call to your computer.
If the app does not have a record button, or if you want to record a streaming video or a browser window, use OBS Studio, a free software that records video and audio from any source on your screen. read it from obsproject.com, install it, and open it. Click the plus sign under "Sources" and choose "Window Capture" to record a specific window, or "Screen Capture" to record your entire screen. Click the red "Start Recording" button. When you are done, click "Stop Recording." The video saves as an .mp4 file in a folder you choose during setup.
OBS is more complex than Game Bar, but it gives you control over video quality, frame rate, and which parts of your screen to record. If you are recording a call and the app does not have a built-in record feature, OBS is the standard choice.
Checking your microphone before you record
Before you record audio or video with sound, make sure your microphone works. Right-click the speaker icon in the bottom-right corner of your taskbar and select "Open Sound settings." Scroll down to "Input" and look for your microphone in the dropdown menu. Click the microphone name to select it.
Below the dropdown, you will see a blue bar labeled "Test your microphone." Speak into your microphone, and the bar should move. If it does not move, your microphone is not connected or not working. Check that it is plugged in, or if it is built into your laptop, restart your PC and try again. If the bar moves, your microphone is ready.
While you are in Sound settings, scroll down to "Volume" and make sure the slider is not all the way to the left. If you are recording video with Game Bar or OBS, you can also check "App volume and device preferences" to control how loud your microphone sounds in the recording compared to other audio.
Choosing a file format and storage location
Most recording tools on Windows save video as .mp4 and audio as .m4a or .wav. These formats work on almost all devices and in most editing software. Game Bar saves .mp4 files automatically to your Videos folder. Voice Recorder saves .m4a files to the Voice Recorder app's own folder, which you can find by opening the app and looking at the file list.
If you use OBS or Audacity, you can choose where to save your files before you start recording. In OBS, go to Settings, click "Output," and change the "Recording Path" to any folder you want — your Desktop, Documents, or an external hard drive. In Audacity, go to File, then Preferences, and set the "Temporary Files" location. When you export a recording in Audacity, you choose the folder at that moment.
Keep your recordings on an external hard drive or cloud storage if they are large or important. A one-hour video recording can be 500 MB to 2 GB depending on quality, so your PC's storage can fill up quickly if you record often.
Reducing background noise and improving audio quality
If you are recording audio or video with sound, close other programs before you start. Music, notifications, and browser tabs all add noise to your recording. Close your email, messaging apps, and any browser tabs playing audio. The quieter your environment, the clearer your recording will be.
If you are recording in a room with a fan, air conditioning, or traffic noise, move closer to your microphone and speak clearly. Most built-in microphones pick up background noise easily, so proximity helps. If you have a USB microphone (a separate microphone you plug into your PC), it will pick up less background noise than a built-in one.
After you record, you can reduce background noise in Audacity (for audio) or in video editing software. Audacity has a "Noise Reduction" tool under the Effect menu. Select a small section of your recording that contains only background noise, go to Effect > Noise Reduction, and click "Get Noise Profile." Then select your entire recording and explore the effect. This removes much of the constant background hum.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I record my screen without Game Bar?
Yes. OBS Studio, Camtasia, and ScreenFlow (on Mac) all record your screen. OBS is free and works on Windows, Mac, and Linux. Camtasia costs money but is easier to use. Game Bar is the simplest option if you just want a quick recording without editing.
What if my microphone is not showing up in Sound settings?
Unplug the microphone and plug it back in, or restart your PC. If it still does not appear, the microphone may be broken or your PC may not recognize it. Try a different USB port. If you have a built-in microphone and it is not working, restart your PC and check Device Manager (right-click Start, select Device Manager, and look under "Audio inputs and outputs").
Can I record a video call without the other person knowing?
Recording laws vary by location. In some places, you must tell all participants that you are recording. In others, you only need to tell them if you are recording audio. Check your local laws before recording a call. Most video call apps also require you to click a record button that notifies participants, or they have a setting that sends a notification.
How do I edit a video after I record it?
Windows includes a free video editor called Photos. Open your video file, click "Edit and create," and choose "Edit with Photos." You can trim, add music, and add text. For more control, read DaVinci Resolve (free) or Adobe Premiere Pro (paid). These programs let you cut clips, add transitions, and adjust audio.
Why is my recording file so large?
Video files are large because they contain many images per second. A one-hour video at 1080p resolution can be 1 to 2 GB. To make files smaller, record at 720p instead of 1080p, or lower your frame rate to 30 fps instead of 60 fps. In OBS, go to Settings > Video and change the Base Canvas Resolution and FPS.