How to screen record on Windows 11 with audio
Record your screen on Windows 11 with microphone and system audio. Use the built-in Snipping Tool or Game Bar, or follow a step-by-step zoom-and-edit workflow.
Quick answer: the built-in Windows 11 recorders
For a quick, unedited clip, Windows 11 already has two recorders. In Snipping Tool, press Windows + Shift + R, drag over the area to record, turn on the microphone and system audio icons in the toolbar, then press Start. Recordings are saved as MP4 files in Videos > Screen Recordings.
Xbox Game Bar (Windows + G, then Windows + Alt + R to start or stop) records a single app or game window and saves to Videos > Captures. It cannot record the desktop or File Explorer. Neither built-in tool adds zoom, cursor styling or a timeline editor, so use the workflow below when the video needs to explain a task clearly.
1. Prepare your screen and audio
Open the application you want to demonstrate and decide on one task to explain. Close unrelated windows and notifications that could interrupt the take. If you will show personal or customer information, use example data where possible.
Launch Screen Crisp on an x64 PC running Windows 11 or Windows 10 version 1903 or later. Choose a microphone and system audio device separately. Watch the live audio meters and record a short sample before a long session.
2. Choose what to capture
Select the full screen when the workflow crosses applications. Choose an app window to keep the recording focused on one program. Use a custom region when only part of the screen is relevant.
Enable the webcam if seeing the presenter helps the explanation. Screen Crisp saves the webcam separately from the screen recording so you can adjust its placement in the editor. Leave enough disk space for both the recording and the final output.
3. Record the task
Start from the recording bar or press Ctrl+Shift+R. Walk through the task at a pace a new viewer can follow. Pause with Ctrl+Shift+P when you need a moment to prepare the next step.
Stop with the recording control or Ctrl+Shift+R. Screen Crisp checks devices, available space and the encoder before a take; address any reported issue before relying on a long recording.
4. Review automatic zoom and trim mistakes
The recording opens in the built-in editor. Play through the automatic zooms and check whether each one focuses on the control being explained. Adjust a zoom’s focus or duration when needed.
Trim the opening and ending, split around a mistake, and remove pauses that do not help the viewer. Choose a readable cursor style and use text boxes or annotations to explain a step. Text boxes are manual; Screen Crisp does not generate speech captions.
5. Export and check the finished video
Choose MP4 for a recording with narration or system audio. Choose GIF for a short, silent loop. Review the estimated output size and save to your chosen folder.
Watch the exported file before sharing it. Listen for the microphone and system audio, check that small text remains readable, and verify that private information is hidden. The free version lets you record, edit and preview. Activate a licence to export; no watermark is added.
Troubleshooting a first recording
If audio is missing, check the selected input and output devices and make another short sample. If motion stutters, try a smaller capture area or a lower frame rate rather than recording a long test.
When keyboard shortcuts do not respond, another application may own the combination. Use the recording bar and check the shortcut settings. For 4K projects, the site recommends 16 GB of memory; a compatible GPU can speed up export.
Try it with your own recording
Screen Crisp Free includes the complete recorder and editor. A licence unlocks MP4 and GIF export, with no watermark. Check the licence options and system requirements.
Get Screen Crisp for Windows