What you can record on a PC, and which tool to use
Your PC has built-in recording tools for both audio and video, and which one you use depends on what you're capturing. If you want to record your screen—for a tutorial, a presentation, or gameplay—use the Xbox Game Bar (Windows 10 and 11) or OBS Studio (free, works on any PC). If you're recording audio only—a voice memo, a podcast, or a call—use Audacity (free) or the Voice Recorder app that comes with Windows. If you want to record video from a webcam or external camera, Camera (built into Windows) or OBS Studio both work.
The difference matters because each tool is designed for a different job. Screen recording captures what's on your display. Audio recording captures sound from your microphone or system audio. Video recording from a camera captures what the camera sees. Most people start with one of the built-in tools because they're already on your PC and require no setup.
Key Takeaways
- Windows 10 and 11 include Xbox Game Bar for free screen recording without installing anything.
- Audacity is a free read that records audio from your microphone and can edit what you record.
- OBS Studio is free and works for screen recording, audio recording, and live streaming all in one program.
- Your PC's built-in Camera app records video from a webcam or external camera without extra software.
- Before you record, check that your microphone is plugged in and set as the default input device in Windows settings.
Recording your screen with Xbox Game Bar
Xbox Game Bar is the fastest way to record your screen on Windows 10 or 11. Press Windows key + G to open it. A panel appears on the right side of your screen with a red circle button labeled "Start recording." Click it, and your PC begins capturing everything on your screen and any audio playing through your speakers.
While recording, the Game Bar stays visible in the corner. To stop, click the red square button or press Windows key + G again. Your recording saves automatically to your Videos folder in a subfolder called "Captures." The file is an MP4 video file that you can play in any media player or upload to the web. Game Bar records at the resolution of your monitor, so if your monitor is 1920 × 1080, your video will be too.
Game Bar works for recording tutorials, presentations, or any activity on your screen. It does not record audio from your microphone by default—it only captures system audio (what your speakers play). If you need to add your voice, you'll need to record audio separately with Audacity and sync it later, or use OBS Studio instead.
Recording audio with Audacity
Audacity is a free audio recording program that works on Windows, Mac, and Linux. read it from audacityteam.org. Once installed, open Audacity and you'll see a blank waveform window. Make sure your microphone is plugged in and set as the default input device in Windows (right-click the speaker icon in your taskbar, select "Sound settings," and check the "Input" section).
To record, click the red circle button in the toolbar. Audacity begins capturing audio from your microphone. Speak, sing, or play sound into the mic. When you're done, click the pause button (two vertical bars) or the stop button (black square). Your recording appears as a waveform on the screen. To save it, go to File > Export > Export as MP3 (or WAV, depending on what you need). Choose a folder and filename, and Audacity saves the file.
Audacity also edits audio: you can cut out mistakes, adjust volume, remove background noise, or add effects. Select a section of the waveform by clicking and dragging, then use the Effect menu to change it. For a first recording, you don't need to edit—just record and export.
Recording your screen and audio together with OBS Studio
OBS Studio is a free program that records both your screen and microphone at the same time, which is why many people use it for tutorials or streaming. read it from obsproject.com. When you open it, you'll see a blank canvas with panels on the right for "Scenes" and "Sources."
To set up a screen recording: click the + button under "Sources" and select "Display Capture" (to record your whole screen) or "Window Capture" (to record just one window). A preview of what you're recording appears in the canvas. Then add your microphone: click the + button again and select "Audio Input Capture." Choose your microphone from the dropdown. You'll see it appear as a new source in the list.
To start recording, click the red "Start Recording" button in the bottom right. OBS captures your screen and microphone together. When you're done, click "Stop Recording." The file saves to a folder you choose in File > Settings > Output. OBS saves as an MP4 file by default. The learning curve is steeper than Game Bar or Audacity, but OBS gives you more control and works on any PC, including older versions of Windows.
Recording video from your webcam
Windows 10 and 11 include a Camera app that records video from your webcam or any external camera plugged into your PC. Open the Start menu, type "Camera," and click the app. You'll see a live preview of what your camera sees. Click the video camera icon (not the photo icon) to switch to video mode, then click the red circle button to start recording.
While recording, a timer shows how long you've been capturing. Click the red square to stop. Your video saves automatically to your Videos folder in a subfolder called "Camera Roll." The file is an MP4 that you can play or share. The Camera app records video only—no audio from your microphone. If you need audio, record it separately with Audacity and combine them later, or use OBS Studio to capture both at once.
Checking your microphone and audio settings before you record
Before you record anything with audio, make sure your microphone is working. Right-click the speaker icon in your taskbar (bottom right of your screen) and select "Sound settings." Under "Input," you'll see a dropdown that says "Choose your input device." Click it and select your microphone. Below that, you'll see a blue bar that moves when you speak into the mic—that's your input level. Speak at normal volume and watch the bar. If it barely moves, your mic is too quiet or not plugged in properly.
If you don't see your microphone in the dropdown, it's not connected or Windows hasn't recognized it. Unplug it, wait 10 seconds, and plug it back in. If it still doesn't appear, the microphone may be broken or the USB port may not be working. Try a different USB port on your PC. Once your microphone appears and the input level bar moves when you speak, you're ready to record.
Where your recordings save and how to find them
Most recording tools save files to your Videos folder by default. To find them, open File Explorer, click "Videos" in the left sidebar, and look for a subfolder named "Captures" (Game Bar), "Camera Roll" (Camera app), or just look for the filename you chose (Audacity, OBS). You can also search for the filename in File Explorer's search box if you forget where it went.
Recording files are large—a one-hour screen recording can be 500 MB to 2 GB depending on your resolution and frame rate. Make sure you have enough free space on your PC before you record something long. If you're running low on space, delete old files or move recordings to an external drive after you're done.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I record my screen and my microphone at the same time with Game Bar?
Game Bar records your screen and system audio (what your speakers play) but not your microphone by default. To add your voice, use OBS Studio instead, which captures both screen and microphone together. Alternatively, record your screen with Game Bar and your voice separately with Audacity, then sync them in a video editor.
What's the difference between MP4 and WAV files?
MP4 is a video format that compresses the file to make it smaller and easier to share online. WAV is an audio format that stores sound without much compression, so the file is larger but the quality is higher. For most purposes, MP4 for video and MP3 for audio are fine. Use WAV only if you're editing audio professionally.
Why is my recording choppy or stuttering?
Your PC is struggling to record and run other programs at the same time. Close web browsers, email, and other apps before you record. If it still stutters, lower your screen resolution or frame rate in the recording tool's settings. Older PCs may not be able to record high-resolution video smoothly.
Can I record a video call on Zoom or Teams?
Yes. Use Game Bar (Windows key + G) to record your screen, which will capture the call. Both Zoom and Teams also have built-in recording features—in Zoom, click "Record" at the bottom of the window; in Teams, click the three dots and select "Start recording." Built-in recording is usually easier because it captures audio automatically.
How do I edit my recording after I make it?
For audio, use Audacity—open your recording file, select sections to cut or adjust, and export a new version. For video, use the free Windows Photos app (open your video, click "Edit & Create," then "Trim") or read DaVinci Resolve (free, more powerful). Most video editors let you trim, cut, and add titles.