How to Screen Record on Windows 11, 10, 8, and 7

Quick Choice: Built-in Tools or Third-party Software?

Built-in Tools	Third-party Software
Convenient for capturing quick, short, and simple clips, but lack advanced options and controls. Check the guide >>	Ideal for creating longer videos with customization, and easily recording your voice and system sounds. Check the guide >>

Windows systems actually come pre-installed with screen recording utilities, which are a good starting point.

- For Windows 11 & 10

The Xbox Game Bar is available on both Windows 10 and 11, and you can use it to capture PC games and app activities using shortcuts. Here is how:

Step 1: Open the app or start the game you wish to record.

Step 2: Press Windows Key + Alt + R to start recording. The screen will flash to indicate it has started.

Step 3: Press Windows Key + Alt + R again to stop recording.

💡 Xbox Game Bar allows you to record the last few moments of your game using the Windows Key + Alt + G shortcuts, but make sure you have enabled background recording in the Captures settings beforehand.

To record with the microphone on or off, use Windows Key + Alt +M.

Note that Xbox Game Bar has strict limitations. You cannot record the desktop or File Explorer, and if you switch applications, the recording stops immediately. In this case, you can use the Snipping Tool, which is built into Windows 11:

Step 1: Press Windows Key + Shift + R on Windows 11. A crosshair cursor will appear.

Step 2: Select the area you want to record.

Step 3: To record audio at the same time, be sure to click the Microphone or Speaker icon to choose an audio input.

Step 4: Click the Start button at the top, and the recording will start after a 3-second countdown.

Step 5: Click the Stop button to stop the recording. A preview window will appear, and you can save the recording to your local folder.

📌 Quick Verdict: Use Xbox Game Bar for capturing gaming videos and Snipping Tool if you want to snap quick, short clips of your on-screen activities.

- For Windows 8 & 7

It’s important to know that Windows 8 and 7 don’t have a built-in video recorder but a tool called Steps Recorder. It takes screenshots of every move you make, along with a description of the actions (like clicking a button or entering text). You can use it to document bugs, errors, or demonstrate tutorial steps.

Step 1: Type ‘Steps Recorder’ in your Windows start menu to bring it up.

Step 2: Click on the Start Record button to begin recording your actions.

Step 3: Hit Pause Record if you want to pause the process and click Resume Record to continue.

Step 4: Click the Stop Record button when you’re finished.

Step 5: Then click the Save button on the top bar. Name the recorded file and choose a file path for the recorded file, which will be saved in an MHT file packed in a zip file.

Third-party screen recorders are recommended for higher-quality recordings on your Windows systems.

Among various options, WonderFox HD Video Converter Factory Pro stands out as a powerful and easy-to-use screen recorder. It can be used as a desktop recorder to capture all activities on the desktop. It can also record any part of your screen, as well as record your voice and the system sounds simultaneously.

With the program, you can record MP4, MKV, MOV or WebM videos. It allows up to 60fps recording and supports hardware encoding. Additionally, you can crop your screen recording or trim and compress it in its built-in video editor. Now, let me show you how to screen record on Windows using this tool.

Download the software to get started:

If you want to reduce background noise, try the following:

1. Create a quiet environment

If you need to record the mic and system audio at the same time, a relatively quiet recording environment can help you reduce noise through the microphone.

2. Choose the right microphone

Usually, the dynamic microphone is better than other microphones because it’s less sensitive to ambient sounds. Also, you can plug a USB mic into your laptop or computer to prevent background noise.

3. Keep a proper distance from the microphone

When you record with your mic, you should not be too close or too far from it. You can even use a pop shield for the microphone, which will help maintain a natural speech signal and reduce background noise while recording.

While screen recording is an easy process, it happens from time to time that you may fail to screen record on your device. There are three typical screen recording errors:

• Can’t start recording: You may encounter issues like "Recording isn't working error. 0x82323007" or "Recording isn't working error. 0x82323619" using the Windows built-in screen recording tools.
• Screen recording shows a black or green screen: This is most likely due to the content you want to record being protected or a faulty graphics card.
• Screen recording has no audio: The audio input isn’t set up correctly.

How to troubleshoot?

💡 If you’re experiencing issues with Xbox Game Bar, see this complete guide on how to fix Xbox Game Bar not working.

#1. Select the Correct Audio Input

If you are unable to record system sounds, first ensure that the volume is not muted. If the volume is already on, right-click the speaker icon in the system tray and open "Sound Settings". Then go to "Sound Control Panel" and switch to the "Recording" tab. Right-click in an empty area and select "Show Disabled Devices". Right-click "Stereo Mix" and click "Enable". Right-click "Stereo Mix" again and set it as the default device.

#2. Update Windows and Graphics Drivers

Outdated Windows or graphics drivers might cause screen recording issues. Ensure you have the latest Windows updates and graphics drivers installed by checking for updates in the Settings app and visiting your graphics card manufacturer's website.

#3. Check Privacy Settings

Windows 10 has privacy settings that could prevent screen recording. Go to Settings > Privacy > Microphone and Camera, and make sure the "Allow apps to access your microphone/camera" option is toggled on.

#4. Ensure Sufficient System Resources

Screen recording can be resource-intensive, requiring ample processing power and memory. If your system lacks the necessary resources, it can lead to recording issues. Close any unnecessary applications running in the background and consider upgrading your hardware if needed.

#5. Disable Conflicting Applications

Sometimes, certain applications running concurrently with your screen recording software can interfere with the process. Check for any conflicting applications, such as antivirus software, video players, or virtualization tools. Temporarily disable or close these applications to see if it resolves the issue.

#6. Disable Hardware Acceleration in your Browser Settings

If you get a black screen or green screen when recording online streaming videos, you can try turning off the hardware acceleration option in your browser settings.

In Chrome, you can click the three vertical dots at the top right, go to "Settings" > "System", and toggle off "Use graphics acceleration when available".

1. What is screen recording?

Screen recording is the process of capturing what is happening on your computer display and saving it as a video file. It can be useful in many scenarios, such as creating tutorials, capturing gameplay, recording presentations, and demonstrating software features.

2. Is screen recording legal?

Screen recording is generally legal for personal use, but it may be subject to restrictions when capturing copyrighted content or sensitive information without permission.

3. How to record screen on Windows 10 without Xbox?

On Windows, you can use third-party software to record screen without Xbox. WonderFox HD Video Converter Factory Pro introduced in this article is a great alternative.

4. Can I screen record through online applications?

Yes, there are many websites that offer this service. They are convenient, but be careful with privacy, as your video files are often uploaded to their servers.

5. How do I screen record with Fraps?

Although Fraps hasn’t been updated for years, it’s a great choice for recording a video on older Windows versions, such as Windows 7 and 8. It’s primarily designed for capturing PC games that use DirectX and OpenGL. It employs a low-compression encoder and makes it possible to produce high-quality recordings up to 7680x4800. But this amazing video quality comes at the cost of large file sizes.

Step 1: Download and install Fraps on your Windows 7 PC.

Step 2: Launch it and click the first "General" tab to tweak the recording settings.

Step 3: Go to the "Movies" option to adjust the hotkeys, FPS, audio source, and other settings.

Step 4: Start your screen activity on Windows 7, like playing a game, and then press the capture hotkey you set before to start recording.