What to Know

• Snipping Tool: PressWin+Shift+S>Record.Selectan area,then chooseStart.
• Game Bar: PressWin+G>Capture>Record.
• Some good third-party screen recorders include ShareX, VLC, and Screenify.
  

This article explains how to screen record on a laptop.The instructions apply to all laptops running Windows 11 orWindows 10.

How to Use Snipping Tool to Record the Screen

One way to record your computer screen is with Microsoft's Snipping Tool.It's the screenshotting app built-in to Windows 11 and Windows 10, making it a convenient way to capture not only the screen but also your mic and system audio (if you want).

We have a full guide on how to use the Snipping Tool, but here's a look at how the recording function works:

1. Search forSnipping Toolin the Start menu, and then select it from the results.

2. Select therecordsymbol to switch to screen recording.

3. Select New.

   

4. Click and drag over the area you want to record. To capture everything (you're limited to one monitor at a time), start the selection from the corner and then stop at the opposite corner.

   

5. PressStartwhen you're ready. You'll have a few seconds to get situated before the recording actually begins.

   The buttons along the top of the screen control whether system sounds and audio from your microphone are recorded. These options can be toggled on and off during the recording, too.

6. Press thestopbutton to save and end the screen recording. There's also a pause button to take a break without closing the app, and a trash button to cancel the recording.

   

   The Snipping Tool stores recordings in theVideos>Screen Recordingsfolder of your user account. You can also choose a new location by pressing the save button.

How to Record Your Screen With the Xbox Game Bar

Included in Windows is the Xbox Game Bar, which can record your screen while using apps. Since the Game Barcomes preinstalled on your PC, it's another quick way to screen record on Windows.

Game Bar can't record your desktop or File Explorer, so you must use a different method if you want to do that.

1. On your keyboard, press the Win+G, orsearch for Game Bar and open the app.
   

   

   If you don't see the Game Bar, go toSettings>Gaming>Game Bar (orXbox Game Bar), and turn it on.

2. Look for the Capture window in the upper-left corner. If you don't see it, select theCaptureicon (the video camera) in the top toolbar.
   

   

3. Select thesettings gearin the toolbar, then selectWidgetsor Capturing(whichever one you see) on the left side of the pop-up window.
   

   

4. UnderAudio to record, chooseAll, None, or Gameif you only want to record audio from the app and your microphone. Close the Settings window when you're done.

   

   Optionally, check the box besideRecord in the background while I'm playing a gameif you want to always record gameplay.

5. Open the app or game you want to record. Open the Xbox Game Barand selecttheRecordicon in the Capture window.
   

   

6. A window with a timer will appear in the upper-right corner of your screen indicating that it's being recorded. When you're finished recording, select theStopicon.

   

   Alternatively, use the keyboard shortcutWin+Alt+Rto start and stop recording.
   

7. Select theGame clip recordedpop-up notification or open the Xbox Game Bar to view your recording.
   

   

8. The Xbox Game Bar Gallery will open with a preview of your recording. If it doesn't appear automatically, select theGalleryicon (the game controller and film). SelectOpen file locationto view the video in File Explorer.
   

   

   The default location for Game Bar recordings is yourVideos>Capturesfolder.

How to Screen Record With a Third-Party App

If you have an old version of Windows or you want to record the desktop or folders, you'll need to use a third-party app. There are lots of screen recording programs, some with unique features and built-in editing tools. For example, iMobie's Screenify can record from your webcam, too, and has no watermarks or ads.

Check out our guide on how to capture a screen recording with VLC if it's already installed. Otherwise, here's how to record your Windows PC screen with the free ShareXapp:

1. Download ShareX and open the installation file to install it on your PC. There's also a portable (no install) version.

2. Go toCapture>Screen recording(to record an MP4 video) orScreen recording (GIF).

   

   Alternatively, use the keyboard shortcutShift+PrtScto record an MP4 orCtrl+Shift+PrtScto record a GIF.

3. Select a window or click and drag to highlight an area to record. To record the whole screen, select your desktop. The recording will start shortly after you make a selection.

   

4. A red dot will appear in the Windows taskbar indicating that the screen is being recorded. When you're finished recording, right-click thered dot and select Stop.

   

5. Select your recording in ShareX to view it, or right-click the file and selectOpen>Folderto open it in File Explorer.

   

   This program stores recordings in this folder by default:Documents>ShareX >Screenshots>[date].

• Does recording the screen work with any Windows computer?

  Screenshots and screen recording is software based, so it doesn't matter which PC you are using as long as you have enough storage space for the screenshot or the video of the screen recording.

• How do I take a screenshot on a PC?

  If you just need a screenshot and not the whole moving screen, you can use your keyboard. There's a key on your keyboard labeledPrtSc. Pressing that key takes a screenshot of the whole screen and places it on the clipboard ready for pasting into another app. If you hold down theWinkey, your PC will take a whole screen screenshot and save it to theScreenshotsfolder insidePictures. We go into more detail in our Ways to Take Screenshots in Windows 11 article and, if you have an older version of Windows, you can check out our How to Take a Screenshot on a PC article.