# How to screen record in Windows 10 For a long time, screen recording was only possible by downloading the appropriate software. Since Windows 10, however, screen recording has become **an integral part of the [operating system](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/server/know-how/what-is-an-operating-system/ "What is an operating system")**. The **Xbox Game Bar** allows you to record your screen on Windows 10 with just a few clicks. Since this is a gaming function, however, the options are tailored to the Xbox, so that recording the Windows desktop and File Explorer isn’t possible – in principle. Here, we’ll show you how to record your screen in Windows 10. We’ll also explain how to circumvent the restrictions described above. ## Screen recorder in Windows: how it works The integrated screen recorder in Windows is designed for **recording video games.** However, so-called [screencasts](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/online-marketing/online-sales/screencast/ "Screencast") can also come in handy for office tasks, for example, when explaining working procedures to colleagues. The integrated Windows tool is suitable for this, because the Xbox Game Bar can be used to **record a wide variety of programs**. Starting with the Windows desktop or File Explorer, however, a small detour is necessary to circumvent the limitations of screen recording in Windows 10. --- ### Definition Screen recording: Recording a screen refers to **capturing a video of the contents displayed on the monitor**. --- Below, we’ll explain how to record your screen in Windows 10, step by step: ### Step 1: Open the Xbox Game Bar First, open the window that you want to record. Then, hold down the **\[Windows\] + \[G\] keys** at the same time to launch the screen recording tool in Windows 10. Alternatively, you can use the search function in the task bar to find the program. To do this, type in “Xbox Game Bar” and open the application. --- ### Tip If the application asks whether you want to use it for gaming or if it should open the games bar confirm by clicking on “Yes”. --- The **menu of the Xbox Game Bar** will now open. Clicking on certain symbols launches the corresponding windows: - Via the speaker symbol you can open the “Audio” window - Via the camera symbol you can open the “Capture” window - Via the monitor symbol you can open the “Performance” window - Via the gear wheel symbol you can open the settings [![Image: Screen recording in Windows 10: Xbox Game Bar](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/_processed_/8/8/csm_screen-recording-in-windows-10-xbox-game-bar_362e3686fa.webp "Screen recording in Windows 10: Xbox Game Bar")](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/DigitalGuide/Screenshots_2020/screen-recording-in-windows-10-xbox-game-bar.jpg) Via the Xbox Game Bar you can open further features to manage your screen recordings. ### Step 2: Start screen recording To start recording your Windows 10 screen, open the **“Capture” window** by clicking on the **camera symbol** in the Xbox Game Bar. You can now begin recording by selecting the record button. [![Image: Screen recorder in Windows 10: the button to start a screen recording](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/_processed_/2/e/csm_screen-recorder-in-windows-10-the-button-to-start-a-screen-recording_703b014f99.webp "Screen recorder in Windows 10: the button to start a screen recording")](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/DigitalGuide/Screenshots_2020/screen-recorder-in-windows-10-the-button-to-start-a-screen-recording.jpg) Start recording your screen in Windows 10 by clicking on the dot symbol. Once you’ve started recording, available options in the capture window will automatically adjust. To **stop the recording**, click on the square. In addition, you also have the option to **turn audio and microphone recordings on and off**. [![Image: The button to stop screen recording in Windows 10](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/_processed_/9/8/csm_the-button-to-stop-screen-recording-in-windows-10_f6d9b9a569.webp "The button to stop screen recording in Windows 10")](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/DigitalGuide/Screenshots_2020/the-button-to-stop-screen-recording-in-windows-10.jpg) In the “Capture” window you can stop your recording and choose to turn audio recording on or off. As soon as you start screen recording in Windows, **another window** will automatically open. Here, you’ll find further options at your disposal, including the option to stop your recording or to turn microphone recording on or off. [![Image: Screen recorder in Windows 10: buttons to stop recording video and audio](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/_processed_/f/7/csm_screen-recorder-buttons-stop-recording_2f1bdb8cba.webp "Screen recorder in Windows 10: buttons to stop recording video and audio")](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/DigitalGuide/Screenshots_2020/screen-recorder-buttons-stop-recording.jpg) In the Windows screen recorder, there are various ways to stop your video recording. --- ### Tip Start and stop screen recording in Windows with the key combination **\[Windows\] + \[Alt\] + \[R\]**. --- If you’re unable to click on the recording button, it means that you don’t have a suitable window open to record. That’s because the Xbox Game Bar **can only be used to record the screen in programs or video games**. So, a video recording of your **desktop or of the File Explorer** isn’t possible. Luckily, there’s a way to avoid this rule. Launch a game or program and then begin your screen recording. During the recording process, simply switch to what you want to record. --- ### Tip Use the **key combination \[Alt\] + \[Tab\]**, to switch between screens during your screen recording. --- Besides recording your monitor, the Xbox Game Bar also allows you to **record your voice**. To activate this function, click on the **microphone symbol** in the “Capture” window. Once activated, the microphone won’t be crossed through anymore and the recording will begin automatically. For [webinars](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/online-marketing/online-sales/webinars-advantages-features-and-possible-uses/ "Webinars: Advantages, features, and possible uses") or to complement video games, recording your voice can come in handy. [![Image: Screen recording on Windows 10: the button to activate microphone recording](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/_processed_/6/b/csm_screen-recording-activate-microphone-recording_299d5eeeb4.webp "Screen recording on Windows 10: the button to activate microphone recording")](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/DigitalGuide/Screenshots_2020/screen-recording-activate-microphone-recording.jpg) While recording your screen, you can also record your voice and add commentary to your video. ### Step 3: Open screen recording The Xbox Game Bar provides **an overview of all recorded videos** in the application itself. In the “Capture” window, select the option “Show all captures”. [![Image: Screen recording on Windows 10: “Show all captures” button](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/_processed_/b/0/csm_screen-recording-show-all-captures-button_5ac0652766.webp "Screen recording on Windows 10: “Show all captures” button")](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/DigitalGuide/Screenshots_2020/screen-recording-show-all-captures-button.jpg) The Xbox Game Bar features an integrated overview of all screen recordings. A **gallery** will now open, with **various options** to watch and edit your recordings: - Click on the play button to start playing a screen recording - Select the pencil symbol to change the file name - Open the file location to save a file - Delete a screen recording [![Image: Screen recording in Windows 10: gallery](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/_processed_/e/8/csm_screen-recording-gallery_f89dabe309.webp "Screen recording in Windows 10: gallery")](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/DigitalGuide/Screenshots_2020/screen-recording-gallery.jpg) In the gallery, you have the option to watch, edit, and delete your screen recordings. This is a markdown version of: [https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/server/configuration/screen-recording-in-windows-10/](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/server/configuration/screen-recording-in-windows-10/) for AI/LLM consumption.