On Windows 11, the Snipping Tool app includes the ability to create screen recordings. The feature is very basic, but it contains the essential tools to produce a recording session of the entire desktop or an application that you can then preview, save, and share with other people.
The feature allows you to select and refine the part of the screen you want to record before starting your screen recording session. Since this is a basic feature, you cannot crop or edit the footage. It’s all one take, and the Snipping Tool doesn’t support audio recording.
Although you can find many third-party applications to create screencast videos, the recording feature in the Snipping Tool app can come in handy in many situations. For example, when you need to create personal videos to remember the steps to complete a specific task, help others learn something, or share steps with technical support to help resolve an issue.
This guide will teach you the steps to record your screen on Windows 11. (You can also use the Snipping Tool to take screenshots.)
Screen record on Windows 11 with Snipping Tool
To do a screen recording on Windows 11, use these steps:
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Open Start on Windows 11.
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Search for Snipping Tool and click the top result to open the app.
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Click the Record button.
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Click the New button.
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Select the area or the app to record.
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Click the Start button.
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Record the screen session as needed.
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Click the Stop button.
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Review the screen recording.
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Click the Save button.
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Select the location to store the recording session.
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Click the Save button.
Once you complete the steps, you will end up with a “.mp4” file containing the recording sessions.
The feature is available starting with version 11.2211.35.0 of the Snipping Tool app. The screen recording feature is rolling out slowly, and it’s initially available for Windows 11 devices enrolled in the Dev Channel. You can always check for updates on the Microsoft Store’s Library page if you have a device in the Windows Insider Program.
Mauro Huculak is a Windows expert and the Editor-in-Chief who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He is also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 12 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows, software, and related technologies, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 20 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me.