Screen Recorder Windows 10 Built-in and Its Alternatives [2025]

Jane Zhou updated on Apr 11, 2025 to Screen Recording Utility

Learn how to use built-in screen recorder Windows 10 to record screen on Windows 10 with audio. You will learn the Windows screen recorder shortcuts and its free alternatives. EaseUS RecExperts is recommended here for more advanced capabilities.

💡Key Takeaways

  • Windows 10 has a built-in screen recorder called Xbox Game Bar. It's free and suitable for basic recordings like gameplay or app walkthroughs.
  • For more advanced needs like full-screen recording with audio, professional screen recorders like EaseUS RecExperts are highly recommended.
  • Free tools like OBS Studio offer extra flexibility and are great alternatives for power users.

Want to know how to record computer audio Windows 10 but not sure if you need third-party software? You're not alone. Many users wonder whether Windows 10 comes with a built-in screen recorder.

In this guide, we'll explore your best screen recorder Windows 10, compare popular tools, and help you choose the best method based on your needs.

Does Windows 10 Have a Built-in Screen Recorder?

Yes, Windows 10 PC does have a built-in screen recorder, called "Xbox Game Bar." As its name implies, this program is mainly used for game recording.

However, apart from that, Xbox Game Bar recording helps you screenshot and screen record on Windows 10 and 11 PCs.

How to Enable Default Screen Recorder in Windows 10:

Step 1. Click the Windows icon and select the gear button to open the Settings menu.

Step 2. Click on the "Gaming" option in Windows Settings. Then click "Game bar" and ensure it's set to On, as shown below.

How to Record Screen on Windows 10 with the Built-in Screen Recorder

Step 1. Press "Win+G" to open the Game bar. If required, select the "Yes, this is a game" checkbox.

Step 2. Press the "Start/Stop Recording" button to start/stop a recording. Use the "Turn Microphone On/Off" button to toggle the microphone if you wish.

Step 3. After recording, trim your video or rename it in the Xbox app. Your video will be saved in the "Captures folder," which is in your "Videos" folder by default.

However, it is very convenient to do screen recording with this Windows built-in screen recorder. You cannot select the recording area, create a schedule recording task, or capture a screen with audio. If you have these requirements, this Windows 10 default screen recorder may not be a good option. So you can check the following professional Windows 10 screen recorders.

Editor's review

Pros

Cons

  • Can't record the full desktop or File Explorer
  • Only saves videos as MP4
  • Can't switch between windows while recording

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Best Unlimited Windows 10 Screen Recorder - EaseUS RecExperts

If you want to find unlimited Windows 10 screen recording software, look no further than EaseUS RecExperts. This program lets you capture screens in flexible sizes on your Windows 10 PC and provides a wide range of advanced tools to enhance your recording experiences, including, but not limited to, schedule recording, screen recording with audio, auto-clipping, unlimited time recording, etc.

Most importantly, this Windows 10 screen recorder with audio is extremely easy to use, as it has a friendly UI and intuitive workflow!

✨What we like about the EaseUS screen recorder:

  • Allow capturing full screen or a selected region on your desktop
  • Support recording screen, camera, and audio at the same time
  • Let users draw shapes or add text on the screen in real-time while recording
  • There is no time limit for any recording
  • Offer some basic video editing tools to make recordings stand out

🎨How other users review EaseUS RecExperts:

  • "EaseUS RecExperts is a very good screen recorder, even better if you record tutorials, and the ability to select a particular region of the screen to record is the best part of this software..." Kunal D. from G2

Spread out this helpful guide to those who are seeking a professional Windows 10 screen recorder!

 

Top 4 Windows 10 Built-in Screen Recorder Alternatives [Professional]

If you are in need of some useful PC screen recorders, this is what you want. Here, we listed four effective Windows screen recording programs. Let's have a look at them.

Top 1. ActivePresenter

ActivePresenter is an all-in-one video editor and screen recorder for Windows 10. It has virtually all the features and effects you may need to screen recording and edit videos. For example, you are able to capture full screen or specific windows on PC freely. After the capture phase, you're allowed to trim, cut, split your recording, change the speed and volume, add closed captions, and more. More advanced audio and video editing features are available to create impressive videos, and software simulations are available only when you upgrade to the paid version.

Pros

  • Let you screen record any region on your desktop with sound
  • Provide a video editor to edit captured videos as well as imported videos
  • Publish videos directly to YouTube

Cons

  • Not allowed to schedule recordings
  • There is no video cropping feature, though there is a workaround
  • Support 64-bit only

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    Top 2. OBS Studio

    Another free screen recorder for Windows PC is OBS Studio, a free and unlimited screen recording tool. With its help, you can capture not only the entire display or a window but also from a webcam and microphone. You can also record the screen and webcam at the same time, if needed. However, due to the complicated UI, users, especially the novices, always need a long learning curve!

    Pros

    • Screen Record full screen, window, region, webcam, microphone, computer sound
    • Stream to Twitch, YouTube, Mixer, DailyMotion, and more
    • There is no watermark or time limit

    Cons

    • There is no stopping during the recording
    • No built-in video editor
    • Beginners may find it hard to use

      Top 3. Flashback Express

      Another excellent software to help you make screen recording on Windows 10 is Flashback Express. This tool supports capturing screens, webcams, and sounds simultaneously. Like the Windows 10 default screen recorder, it neither sets a time limit on recording nor stamps watermarks on the output videos. You can either record screens across multiple monitors or limit capturing to a single monitor.

      If needed, you can also use this PC screen recorder do scheduled recordings to start and stop recording at scheduled times or when a specified application is launched. After recording, users can save videos like MP4, AVI, or WMV and directly upload them to YouTube.

      Pros

      • Record full screen, window, region, webcam, microphone, computer sound
      • Screen Record multiple monitors
      • Scheduled recordings

      Cons

      • Not allowed to record webcam alone
      • Output formats limited to MP4, AVI, WMV
      • No built-in video editor

        Top 4. Camtasia

        Camtasia is one of the highest-priced Windows screen recording software at present. As an all-in-one screen recorder for Windows 10, Camtasia has a collection of brand-new video assets, such as customizable intros, outros, etc. It also includes several themes to maintain a consistent look and feel across a series of videos.

        You can edit a video directly after you finish screen recording with essential video editing functions. A 30-day free trial is available with a watermark added. If you want a more comprehensive service from it, you need to upgrade to a paid version.

        Pros

        • Screen Record full screen, window, region, webcam, microphone, computer sound
        • Feature a video editor to edit captured videos as well as imported videos
        • Video editing features: trim, cut, split, change speed/volume, add zoom-n-pan, annotations, multimedia, animations, transitions, audio fade in/out, green screen effect, and more

        Cons

        • Relatively expensive in comparison with other screen-casting software
        • Support 64-bit only
        • The operation is relatively difficult

          Conclusion

          To summarize, there is a screen recorder Windows 10 built in on your device, and we have given you detailed operating steps. You may use it directly to do screen recording or some other screen recorders to screen record it and make more advanced edits to the recorded files. Among the recorders recommended, EaseUS RecExperts is the best choice for Windows beginners. You may go to the official website and download it.

          Frequently Asked Questions

          1. Can you record full screen on Windows 10?

          Sure! Recording full screen on Windows 10 is much easier. For almost users, Xbox Game Bar is a nice option. This default full screen recorder for Windows 10 will capture your full Windows 10 desktop by default, and you can record your Windows 10 screens for up to 4 hours.

          2. What is the screen recorder button on Windows 10?

          Windows 10 comes with a built-in screen recorder called Xbox Game Bar. You can press Win + G to open and launch this tool. As for starting your recording task, you can directly hit Win + Alt +R.

          3. How do I Record my screen on Windows 10 without software?

          If you want to record your Windows 10 screen without software, you can rely on online screen recorders. This kind of tools requires no downloading or installation. And here are some popular ones you can take a look:

          • EaseUS Online Screen Recorder
          • Screen Capture
          • ScreenApp
          • RecordCast

          4. Can I record the screen with sound on Windows 10?

          Yes, both Xbox Game Bar and EaseUS RecExperts support audio recording. For full control, EaseUS is recommended.

          5. Where are Xbox Game Bar recordings saved?

          They're saved in Videos > Captures by default.

          6. Is screen recording on Windows 10 legal?

          For personal use, yes. But if you're recording meetings or calls, check local laws and get permission.

          7. What is the best free screen recorder for Windows 10 with audio?

          OBS Studio and EaseUS RecExperts are the top choices. OBS is open-source; EaseUS screen recorder is easier to use.