How to record your screen on Windows 11

2 min read · 5 steps · Updated 2 October 2026

Short answer

Press Windows + Shift + R to open the Snipping Tool recorder, drag a box around the area you want to record and click Start. Click Stop when you finish. The video is saved in your Screenshots folder.

Windows 11 has a screen recorder built into the Snipping Tool, so you do not need to install anything to show someone a problem or record a short how-to.

These steps are for Windows 11. The pictures are diagrams of the keys to press.

Step by step

  1. Windows+Shift+RStart a screen recording

    Press Windows + Shift + R

    Or open Snipping Tool from the Start menu, click the Record button and then New.

  2. Select the area

    Drag a rectangle around the part of the screen you want. Drag from one corner of the screen to the other to record everything.

  3. Click Start

    A short countdown runs, then recording begins.

  4. Click Stop

    The recording opens in Snipping Tool, where you can play it back.

  5. Find the file

    Recordings are saved automatically in the Screenshots folder, inside Pictures. From Snipping Tool you can also choose Edit in Clipchamp to trim the video.

Good to know

If Windows + Shift + R does nothing, update Snipping Tool in the Microsoft Store. Older versions only take pictures.

For a still picture instead: how to take a screenshot on Windows 11.

Close anything private before you record, including notifications. Do not disturb stops them popping up.

In short: Windows + Shift + R, select the area, Start, Stop.

Sources
  • Microsoft Support: Use Snipping Tool to capture screenshots

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