How to Record Computer Audio on Windows 10: 5 Easy Ways

Want to record the sound playing on your Windows 10 PC? Whether you're trying to save audio from a YouTube video, record an online class, capture game sound, or save system audio for later, you have several options.

The easiest method depends on what you need. EaseUS RecExperts is a straightforward choice if you want to record system sound without configuring Windows audio devices. Audacity is a good free option, using Windows WASAPI loopback to capture computer playback. If you prefer built-in Windows tools, you can try Voice Recorder with Stereo Mix. For screen recording, Xbox Game Bar or OBS Studio can capture system audio as part of the video.

🚩Here's a quick comparison:

Record Computer Audio with EaseUS RecExperts

If you don't want to troubleshoot Windows audio settings, EaseUS RecExperts provides a more direct approach. It lets you select your system sound as a recording source and record it without first enabling Stereo Mix.

You can use it to record YouTube audio and capture audio from a browser, media player, game, online course, or other applications. You can also record system sound and microphone input together when needed.

Advanced users benefit from flexible control over recording sources, bitrates, sampling rates, and noise cancellation. High-quality output in MP3, WAV, or AAC ensures professional results for tutorials, podcasts, gameplay, and other internal audio recording needs on a Windows pc and laptop.

🚩How to record computer audio on Windows 10 with EaseUS RecExperts:

Step 1. Launch EaseUS RecExperts and choose Audio mode (looks like a speaker) from the main interface.

Step 2. Select the sound source by clicking on the speaker sign (the system sound) or the mic sign (the microphone). Or, you can record them both at the same time.

Step 3. Click the drop-down buttons next to the Speaker and Microphone to adjust the audio source settings.

• In the Speaker tab, you can adjust the volume, test the speaker and microphone, record silently, or open the volume mixer.
• In the Microphone tab, you can also enable Microphone boost and Microphone noise reduction features.

Step 4. To change the output format, bitrate, or sampling rate, you can click the Settings button in the lower right corner of the page. Of course, you can also set the automatic stop audio recording and automatic audio segmentation as needed.

Step 5. Hit the REC button to start recording audio. To finish it, just click on the red square icon to stop the recording.

Step 6. Once finished, the audio recording will be saved automatically. You can listen to or edit the recording with built-in tools.

Why choose this method?

• No need to configure Stereo Mix
• Records system sound directly
• Can record system sound and microphone together
• Supports audio-only recording
• Useful for both beginners and users who need additional recording controls

If your priority is simply recording computer audio on Windows 10 with as little setup as possible, this is one of the more convenient options.

🚩Check the video tutorial about how to record computer audio on Windows 10:

• 00:28 Method 1. Record Computer Audio on Windows 10 with Voice Recorder
• 00:59 Method 2. Capture Internal Audio with Audacity
• 01:38 Method 3. Record System Audio with EaseUS RecExperts
• 02:22 Method 4. Record Computer Audio Windows 10 with Stereo Mix

 

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Record Computer Audio for Free with Audacity

Audacity is one of the most useful free options for recording computer playback on Windows. Unlike the old Stereo Mix approach, you can use Windows WASAPI loopback to capture audio that is playing through your computer.

Audacity's official documentation currently recommends WASAPI loopback for recording computer playback on Windows. It can capture playback even when your sound device does not provide a Stereo Mix input.

🚩How to record computer audio on Windows 10 with Audacity:

Step 1. Download & Install Audacity from the official website.

Step 2. Open Audacity and go to Audio Setup > Audio Settings.

Step 3. In the Audio Settings popup, select:

• Host: Windows WASAPI (let Audacity capture the audio directly from your computer's output)
• Recording Device: choose to record sound from the system or the microphone
• Other parameters you need

Step 4. Click the Record button (red dot) and start speaking or playing.

Step 5. Click Stop (square) when done. You can play and edit the recording.

Step 6. To save your Audacity recording, go to File > Export Audio.... Follow the on-screen instructions.

What if I don't see a loopback device?

• First, make sure Windows WASAPI is selected as the host. Then check the recording-device list again.
• If you are using an older or different audio configuration, you may also see an input called Stereo Mix, Wave Out, What U Hear, or another similar name. Audacity notes that these names vary depending on the sound device.
• One important point: WASAPI loopback records an active playback signal. If there is no audio being played, Audacity may not capture anything until the signal becomes active.
• Also, avoid enabling audible input monitoring when recording computer playback, as it can create echoes or feedback.

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Use Windows 10 Voice Recorder with Stereo Mix

Windows 10 Voice Recorder (called Sound Recorder in Windows 11/8/7) is a built-in app primarily designed for recording microphone input. Many users trying to capture system audio, online courses, or music often find it frustrating that Voice Recorder cannot natively record internal sounds. The good news is that by enabling Stereo Mix, you can record everything your computer plays with this internal audio recorder: system sounds, YouTube audio, game sound, and more.

Voice Recorder is pre-installed, easy to use with one-click recording, and supports basic trimming of recordings in widely compatible M4A format. However, it lacks multi-track recording, advanced audio controls, and export options, so it works best for simple voice memos or quick audio capture.

🚩How to record computer audio on Windows 10 with Voice Recorder:

Step 1. Enable Stereo Mix.

• Right-click the speaker icon in the taskbar.
• Select Sounds and go to the Recording tab.
• Right-click in the blank area and select Show Disabled Devices.
• If Stereo Mix appears, right-click it and choose Enable.

Step 2. Use Voice Recorder to capture sound from Windows PC.

• Search for Voice Recorder on your computer and click on the top result to open it.
• Click on the Record button. To help yourself jump to the critical part of the audio file later, click on the Flag button to add a marker during the recording. This operation will not interrupt the audio recording process.
• Click on the Pause button to stop recording temporarily or the Stop button to end the voice recording. You can choose the Play button to preview your audio file.
• After recording, the audio file will be saved automatically as an .m4a format in the Sound recordings folder below Documents.

What if Stereo Mix doesn't appear?

• Don't assume that something is wrong with Voice Recorder.
• Stereo Mix may simply not be available for your audio device or driver. Audacity's documentation also notes that Windows devices often do not provide Stereo Mix or similar inputs.
• You can check for updated audio drivers, but if Stereo Mix still doesn't appear, using Audacity with Windows WASAPI loopback is usually a more practical alternative.

Record Computer Audio with OBS Studio

Looking for a way to record internal audio on Windows 10 while keeping your mic crystal clear? OBS Studio is a free, open source screen recorder tool that lets you record system sound and microphone separately or together, mix audio in real time, and capture multiple sources, ideal for podcasts, gameplay, YouTube tutorials, and more.

It's not the easiest for beginners and can't save audio-only files without extra steps. Still, if you want professional sound capture, multi-track recording, and advanced control over desktop audio, OBS is one of the best free options out there.

🚩Steps for how to record desktop audio on Windows with OBS:

Step 1. Download OBS Studio from the official website. Install and launch OBS and follow the on-screen guidance.

Step 2. At the bottom-right corner:

• Go to Settings > Audio.
• Under Global Audio Devices, set Desktop Audio (internal audio) or Mic/Auxiliary Audio (external sound) if needed.
• Click Apply and OK.

Step 3. In the Sources panel (bottom-left), click +, then:

• Select Audio Output Capture (for system sounds) and choose your speakers/headphones; Select Audio Input Capture (for microphone) and choose your mic if needed.
• Click OK to confirm.

Step 4. Click Start Recording at the bottom-right corner and click Yes to confirm the popup. (If you want to add a video source, click + under the Sources panel to select Display Capture instead.)

Step 5. Now, speak into your microphone or play system audio. Click Stop Recording when done. The OBS recording file (.mkv) will be saved automatically in C:\Users\admin\Videos by default.

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Can Xbox Game Bar Record Computer Audio?

Yes. Xbox Game Bar can include system audio in a recording on Windows 10, but it is not a good fit if you only want an audio file.

Microsoft's current documentation shows that you can open Xbox Game Bar with Win + G, go to its capture settings, and choose to include computer sounds in the recording.

🚩How to record system audio with Xbox Game Bar:

Step 1. Press Win + G to open the Game Bar.

Step 2. Go to Settings > Widget > Capture to select:

• All (Records game + system + microphone)
• Game Only (Records only game sounds + microphone)
• None (Disables audio recording)

Step 3. Open the app or game you want to record (e.g., browser, music player, game).

Step 4. Click Start recording (white circle) or press the Windows + Alt + R shortcut to start recording.

Step 5. When done, hit Stop recording in the status bar or press the Windows + ALT + R shortcuts to end the session.

Step 6. Go to See my captures to view the video recording. Or go to C:\Users\username\Videos\Captures.

Step 7. If needed, convert the MP4 video to an audio file like MP3.

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What If Stereo Mix Is Missing on Windows 10?

You do not need Stereo Mix to record computer audio.

This is one of the most important things to know when troubleshooting Windows 10 audio recording.

If Stereo Mix is unavailable, you have several alternatives:

Option 1: Use Audacity WASAPI loopback

This is usually the first free alternative to try. Select Windows WASAPI as the host and choose the loopback version of your playback device.

Audacity specifically recommends WASAPI loopback for recording computer playback on Windows.

Option 2: Use an audio recorder with direct system-audio capture

A dedicated recorder such as EaseUS RecExperts can let you select system sound directly instead of configuring Stereo Mix.

This is useful if you want a simpler setup or also need screen recording, microphone recording, or other recording features.

Option 3: Check your audio driver

If you specifically want to use Stereo Mix, check whether your audio driver provides it. You can also look for driver updates from your computer or audio-device manufacturer.

However, installing or changing drivers just to obtain Stereo Mix may not be worth the effort when WASAPI loopback is available.

Conclusion

There are several ways to record computer audio on Windows 10, but you don't need to use the most complicated method.

For a free solution, Audacity's Windows WASAPI loopback is a strong choice and does not depend on Stereo Mix. If you prefer to use a built-in Windows tool, Voice Recorder can work when Stereo Mix is available. For users who also need screen recording or advanced audio control, OBS Studio and Xbox Game Bar are useful alternatives.

If your priority is a simple audio-only recording workflow, EaseUS RecExperts lets you select system sound directly and start recording without going through Stereo Mix configuration.

Choose the method that matches your setup and the type of recording you need, rather than trying to make one tool work for every situation.

FAQs About Sound Recorder Windows 10

Here, we collect some questions that most people frequently ask, and you can take a look.

1. Can I record computer audio on Windows 10 without recording the screen?

Yes. You can use Audacity with Windows WASAPI loopback, Windows Voice Recorder with Stereo Mix, or an audio-focused recorder such as EaseUS RecExperts.

Xbox Game Bar is different because it records the screen together with the audio.

2. Does Windows 10 have a built-in audio recorder?

Yes. Windows 10 includes Voice Recorder, but it is primarily designed for microphone recording. To capture computer playback with it, you generally need an available recording source such as Stereo Mix.

3. How do I record system audio without Stereo Mix?

Use Audacity with Windows WASAPI loopback. Select Windows WASAPI as the host and choose the loopback input corresponding to the playback device you are using. Audacity supports this specifically for recording computer playback.

4. Why can't I find Stereo Mix on Windows 10?

Stereo Mix is not available on every computer. Its availability depends on the sound device and driver.

You can check Show Disabled Devices in the Recording tab and update your audio driver if necessary. If Stereo Mix is still missing, WASAPI loopback in Audacity is a practical alternative.

5. Can I record computer audio and my microphone at the same time?

Yes. Audacity, OBS Studio, and dedicated audio/screen recording software can capture system audio and microphone input together.

The exact setup depends on the application and whether you want the two sources recorded separately or mixed into one track.

6. Can Xbox Game Bar record computer audio?

Yes. Xbox Game Bar can include system audio when recording a game or app on Windows 10. However, it records a video clip rather than an audio-only file.

7. What is the easiest way to record computer audio on Windows 10?

If you want the fewest configuration steps, a dedicated recorder such as EaseUS RecExperts is a straightforward option because you can select system sound directly.

If you want a free solution, try Audacity with Windows WASAPI loopback.