Record Your Screen with Snipping Tool in Windows 11

Prerequisites and compatibility​

Before you begin, confirm the following:

Quick walkthrough

• Windows 11: Snipping Tool screen recording is available in the current app. The built-in recorder captures a rectangular selection, not a one-click full-desktop or single-window recording mode.
• Windows 10: Snipping Tool is for screenshots only. Use the Xbox Game Bar alternative later in this guide if appropriate.
• Snipping Tool must be installed and current. It is normally included with Windows 11 and updated through Microsoft Store.
• Have enough free storage for the recording, especially for a long or high-resolution capture.
• If you need voice narration, connect and test your microphone first. Audio controls and their appearance can vary with the installed Snipping Tool version.
• Record only content you are permitted to capture and share. Close or hide notifications, passwords, private messages, customer data, and other sensitive information before starting.

Warning: A recording can capture anything visible inside the selected region, including pop-up notifications, account details, and private conversations. Turn on Do Not Disturb or close sensitive apps before you record.

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To enable microphone access if Snipping Tool does not detect or use your microphone:

• Windows 11: Go to Start > Settings > Privacy & security > Microphone. Turn on Microphone access, Let apps access your microphone, and, where shown, Let desktop apps access your microphone.
• Windows 10: Go to Start > Settings > Privacy > Microphone. Turn on Microphone access for this device and Allow apps to access your microphone.

No restart is normally required after changing microphone permissions.

Record your screen with Snipping Tool in Windows 11​

• Prepare what you want to record.
  Open the app, webpage, presentation, or task you want to demonstrate. Arrange windows so the necessary content fits in one visible area.
  If you are recording a tutorial, enlarge text or zoom in before recording. Snipping Tool records the selected pixels, so text that is difficult to read on your screen will also be difficult to read in the finished video.
  Expected result: Your desktop is ready, with only the material you intend to show visible.
• Open Snipping Tool.
  Use either method:
• Select Start, type Snipping Tool, and open Snipping Tool.
• Press Windows key + Shift + R to open the video-recording overlay directly.

Expected result: Snipping Tool opens. If you opened the app normally, you should see controls for screenshot capture and recording.

• Switch to recording mode.
  In Snipping Tool, select the Record button. It is represented by a video-camera icon and sits beside the screenshot capture mode.
  If you used Windows key + Shift + R, recording mode should already be selected.
  Expected result: The recording controls become available, including New.
• Choose audio options, if your Snipping Tool version provides them.
  Before selecting New, look for audio controls in the recording toolbar.
• To record narration, choose or enable your microphone if an input selector or microphone button is available.
• To avoid recording narration, disable the microphone option.
• If your version offers system-audio recording, enable it only if you intend to capture computer sound.

Audio features have changed across Snipping Tool releases. If the controls are not present, do not assume the recording will include sound. Make a short test recording first.

Expected result: The microphone and/or system-audio choices reflect what you want in the clip.

• Start a new recording selection.
  Select New.
  The screen dims and Snipping Tool displays a selection frame.
  Expected result: You can click and drag to define the part of the screen to record.
• Select the recording area.
  Click and drag around the portion of the screen you want to capture. You can use the resize handles to refine the selection before recording starts.
  Include enough of the app window to make the actions understandable, but avoid selecting unrelated areas where notifications or personal information might appear.
  Expected result: A rectangular border surrounds the exact region that will be recorded, and the recording toolbar displays Start.
• Begin recording.
  Select Start.
  Snipping Tool gives you a short countdown, then begins recording. Carry out the task you want to show.
  Expected result: A small recording control bar remains available. The elapsed time advances while Snipping Tool captures the selected area.
• Pause or resume if needed.
  Select Pause on the recording control bar to temporarily stop the capture without ending the recording. Select Resume to continue in the same clip.
  Use pause before opening information you do not want included, such as a password manager, personal inbox, or unrelated document.
  Expected result: The elapsed-time counter stops while paused and continues after you resume.
• Stop the recording.
  Select Stop on the recording control bar.
  Snipping Tool opens the finished recording for preview.
  Expected result: The video appears in Snipping Tool. You can play it back before saving it.
• Review the clip before sharing it.
  Select Play and check:
• The recording starts and ends at the right points.
• Text and pointer movements are readable.
• No private information, notifications, or unintended audio were captured.
• Narration, system sound, or both are present if you expected them.

If the recording includes information that should not be shared, discard it and record again. Do not rely on cropping alone to remove confidential material if it appears in the video.

• Save the recording.
  In the preview window, select Save or press Ctrl + S. Choose a folder, type a descriptive file name, and select Save.
  Save to a location you can find again, such as Videos, Documents, or a project folder. Use a meaningful name such as Windows11-SnippingTool-demo-2026-08-07.
  Expected result: The video file is saved to the location you chose and can be opened from File Explorer.
• Optionally edit the saved recording.
  In the Snipping Tool preview, select Edit in Clipchamp if you need basic edits such as trimming, adding captions, adjusting audio, or combining clips.
  This is useful when the recording is correct but includes a few seconds of setup or cleanup at the beginning or end. For a simple one-take recording, saving directly from Snipping Tool is faster.

Verify that the recording succeeded​

• Open File Explorer and browse to the folder where you saved the clip.
• Double-click the video file.
• Confirm that it plays from beginning to end.
• Check that the selected screen area is visible and sharp enough to follow.
• If audio was intended, confirm that sound plays through your speakers or headphones.
• If you plan to upload or email the clip, check its file size before sending. Long recordings can be large.

A successful result is a playable video that shows only the selected rectangular region and contains the intended visuals and, where enabled and supported, audio.

Alternate method: record an app with Xbox Game Bar​

Use Xbox Game Bar when you are using Windows 10, or when you want to record a supported app and do not need Snipping Tool’s custom rectangular selection.

Game Bar is designed primarily for games and apps. It may not record the Windows desktop, File Explorer, or some protected content.

• Open the app or game you want to record.
• Press Windows key + G to open Xbox Game Bar.
• If prompted, confirm that the current item is a game or enable the Game Bar controls.
• Select the Record button in the Capture widget, or press Windows key + Alt + R.
• To include or mute your microphone during recording, press Windows key + Alt + M.
• Perform the actions you want to capture.
• Press Windows key + Alt + R again to stop.
• Open File Explorer > Videos > Captures to find the resulting MP4 video.

Expected result: Game Bar saves the recording as an MP4 file in the Captures folder under Videos.

Troubleshooting and rollback/escalation​

The Record button is missing in Snipping Tool​

This usually means the app is outdated, damaged, unavailable because of organizational policy, or you are using Windows 10.

• Confirm the Windows edition:
• Press Windows key + R.
• Type winver.
• Select OK.
• If the dialog reports Windows 10, Snipping Tool recording is not supported. Use Xbox Game Bar or a different recorder.
• On Windows 11, update Snipping Tool:
• Open Microsoft Store.
• Select Library.
• Select Get updates.
• Install any update for Snipping Tool.
• Restart Snipping Tool after the update.

If the recording control is still absent, use Start > Settings > Apps > Installed apps, locate Snipping Tool, select the three-dot menu > Advanced options, then select Repair.

Expected result: Repair attempts to fix the app without removing its data.

Warning: Selecting Reset on the Advanced options page restores the app to its default state and can remove its app data and preferences. Save any important recordings first.

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If Repair does not work, return to Advanced options and select Reset. Reopen Snipping Tool and test recording again.

If the app still fails to provide recording controls, uninstall and reinstall Snipping Tool from Settings > Apps > Installed apps or Microsoft Store. On a work or school PC, contact the administrator if Microsoft Store or app installation is managed.

The recording is silent​

First, make a 10-second test recording and speak clearly while it runs.

• Check microphone privacy:
• Go to Start > Settings > Privacy & security > Microphone.
• Turn on Microphone access.
• Turn on Let apps access your microphone.
• Turn on Let desktop apps access your microphone if it is shown.
• Verify the correct input device:
• Go to Start > Settings > System > Sound.
• Under Input, choose the intended microphone.
• Select it and use Start test. Speak normally, then select Stop test and play the sample.
• In Snipping Tool recording mode, confirm that the intended microphone is selected or enabled if audio controls are present.
• Disconnect and reconnect a USB headset or microphone, then close and reopen Snipping Tool.

If no audio control exists in your installed version, update Snipping Tool and test again. If you specifically need dependable microphone, system audio, or separate audio-track controls, record with Clipchamp instead.

Snipping Tool opens, but Start does nothing or the app closes​

• Close Snipping Tool completely.
• Restart Windows: select Start > Power > Restart.
• Try a small recording area first, such as a single app panel.
• Repair Snipping Tool:
• Go to Start > Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
• Find Snipping Tool.
• Select three dots > Advanced options > Repair.
• If necessary, use Reset only after saving any needed recordings.

If the device is managed by an employer or school and the problem persists, policy settings or security software may be blocking screen capture. Escalate to the organization’s IT support with the exact error message and the Windows version shown by

.

The video is black, gray, blank, or does not show protected content​

Some apps and media services deliberately prevent capture of protected video or digital-rights-managed content. Snipping Tool cannot bypass these restrictions.

For ordinary apps, try the following:

• Stop the recording.
• Turn off HDR temporarily:
• Go to Start > Settings > System > Display > HDR.
• Turn Use HDR off.
• Restart Snipping Tool and create a short test recording.
• Turn HDR back on after testing if you normally use it.

Rollback: Return to Settings > System > Display > HDR and restore Use HDR to its previous setting.

If only protected streaming video is blank, use the service’s supported download, sharing, or presentation options rather than trying to screen-record it.

Snipping Tool will not save the recording​

• Try saving to a local folder such as Videos or Documents rather than a network location, removable drive, or cloud-synced folder.
• Confirm that the drive has free space:
• Open File Explorer > This PC.
• Check the available space on the drive where you are saving.
• Use a shorter file name without special characters.
• If Controlled Folder Access or organization policy blocks the save, try another approved folder or contact IT support.
• Restart Snipping Tool and save a short test clip.

If the recording plays in Snipping Tool but cannot be saved after repairing or resetting the app, reinstall Snipping Tool and test again before recording a longer session.

References​

1. Official source: support.microsoft.com
   
   

   Use Snipping Tool to capture screenshots | Microsoft Support

   Learn how to use Snipping Tool to capture a screenshot, or snip, of any object on your screen, and then annotate, save, or share the image.

   support.microsoft.com
2. Official source: support.microsoft.com
   
   

   Steps Recorder deprecation | Microsoft Support

   Problems Steps Recorder (PSR) is deprecated. Review alternatives to capturing screen recordings.

   support.microsoft.com
3. Official source: blogs.windows.com
   
   

   New Updates for Snipping Tool and Notepad for Windows Insiders

   UPDATE 9/19: The below updates and new features for Snipping Tool and Notepad are now beginning to roll out to Windows Insiders in the Release Preview Channel. UPDATE 9/7: The below updates and new features for Snipping Tool

   blogs.windows.com
4. Official source: blogs.windows.com
   
   

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   blogs.windows.com