How to record my computer screen with audio

Whether for work or play, there are plenty of reasons you might want to record your screen while using Windows 10. 

Luckily, Windows lets you create screen recordings quickly with the Game Bar, as well as more in-depth videos with apps like OBS Studio.

Here are two easy — and free — ways to record your PC's screen.

Quick tip: If you're looking to take great screenshots rather than videos, Windows includes a plethora of great tools. Check out our article "10 ways to take a screenshot on any Windows 10 device" for more information.

How to screen record on Windows 10 using the Game Bar

The Game Bar is an app that comes free with all new versions of Windows 10, and is designed to help gamers keep track of their computer's performance. But even if you're not playing games, you can easily use its screen recording feature.

1. Open whatever you'd like to record on your PC. This can be a web browser, a game, an app, a folder, or even just your desktop.

2. Next, open the Game Bar by pressing the Windows key + G on your keyboard.

Quick tip: If the Game Bar doesn't open with the Windows Key + G shortcut, make sure it's enabled. To do this, search "Game bar settings'' and open the menu that appears. In that menu, toggle on the "Enable Xbox Game Bar" button.

3. By default, the recording tools will be in the top-left corner, in a window labeled "Capture." If it's not there, go to the long toolbar at the top of the screen and click the icon that looks like a webcam.

4. In the Capture window, click the white circle icon to start your screen recording. A small bar will appear on the right side of the screen timing how long you've been recording for.

Quick tip: You can quickly start a Game Bar screen recording at any time by pressing the Windows Key + Alt + R.

5. If you want to record your own voice, you can click the microphone icon, and it'll start recording audio from your default microphone.

6. When you're ready to stop recording, click the stop icon on either the recording timer, or in the Game Bar menu.

You'll be able to find the new screen recording in your PC's "Videos" folder, under "Captures."

You can also find your capture by opening the Game Bar and clicking "Show all captures."

How to screen record on Windows 10 using OBS Studio

There are dozens of apps that will let you record your screen in Windows. But OBS Studio is a free, professional-grade program that's perfect for anyone who needs to record often.

1. Open the game or application you want to record in Windows 10. Then, if you haven't already, download and launch the OBS Studio program.

2. There's a window called "Sources" in OBS, at the bottom of the screen. Click the "+" sign, then select "Display Capture." This will let you record your entire screen, even if you close or switch between applications.

3. You'll be asked what you want to name the source. If you just want it to be called "Window Capture," check off "Add Existing" and press the OK button. If you want to give it a custom name, select "Create New" and type in a name, then click the OK button.

4. A new window titled "Properties" will appear, showing you a preview of your recording. If you have multiple monitors, pick which one you want OBS to record, and select whether you want to record the mouse cursor too. Once you're ready, press "OK."

5. To add audio from the computer, go to the Sources window again, and tap the "+" sign. Then select "Audio Output Capture."

6. Once again, name your audio source or leave the default. Then in the Properties window, select the sound device you want to record — in most cases, picking "Default" is the best option.

7. If you want to record from a microphone, go to the Sources window and select "Audio Input Capture." Once again, name it and then select which device you'd like to record from.

8. Once you've set up everything that you want to record, in the "Controls" panel on the right, select "Start Recording."

9. You'll see the trademark red dot to indicate you're recording, along with the run time, in the bottom-right corner. Hit "Stop Recording" when you're finished.

The video will be saved automatically to your computer's "Videos" folder.