Windows 11 · Windows 11 with Xbox Game Bar

Record Gameplay With Xbox Game Bar on Windows 11

Source-checked About 5 minutes

Answer

Open the game you want to record and press Windows+Alt+R to start. Press Windows+Alt+M if you need to turn the microphone on or off, then press Windows+Alt+R again to stop. Windows saves the MP4 in Videos > Captures by default.

Before you continue
  • StartPress Windows+Alt+R while the game is active.
  • MicPress Windows+Alt+M only if you need narration.
  • CheckOpen Videos > Captures and play the MP4.
Guide steps7 steps
  1. Prepare the game window
  2. Start recording
  3. Control the microphone
  4. Stop the recording
  5. Open the saved clip
  6. Check picture and sound
  7. Adjust Captures settings before an important session
  8. If it still does not work

Prepare the game window

Open the game or app you are allowed to record and make it the active window. Close private messages and notifications that should not appear in the video.

Start recording

Press Windows+Alt+R. A small recording timer should appear. If it does not, press Windows+G and open the Capture widget.

Control the microphone

Press Windows+Alt+M to turn microphone recording on or off. Use it only when you need your voice, and get permission before recording other people.

Stop the recording

Press Windows+Alt+R again. Wait for Windows to show that the clip was saved before closing the game.

Open the saved clip

Open File Explorer > Videos > Captures, or open Game Bar's Gallery widget, and select the newest MP4.

Read Microsoft's current recording steps

Check picture and sound

Play the whole clip. Confirm it contains the intended game window, game audio, optional microphone, and correct duration before sharing or deleting anything.

Adjust Captures settings before an important session

Open Settings > Gaming > Captures to review the save location, audio, quality, frame rate, and maximum length. Make a short test whenever you change them.

If it does not work

  • If Windows+Alt+R does nothing, press Windows+G and check that Game Bar is available and the intended game window is active.
  • If the microphone is missing, press Windows+Alt+M during a short test and confirm Windows microphone permission and the selected input device.
  • Game Bar may not record protected content or some parts of the Windows desktop. Record only content you are allowed to capture.
Sources and verification

Checked against official documentation on . Scope: Windows 11 with Xbox Game Bar.

The written steps follow the current help pages linked below. The saved video is an older walkthrough and may show different labels.

Continue with

Browse more Xbox Game Bar tutorials