To record audio in Windows 11, select Start, search for Sound Recorder, open the app, and select Start recording (or press Ctrl + R). Select Stop recording or press Esc to save it. The new recording appears in the app’s list of recordings.
Applies to: Windows 11 (Sound Recorder app). Checked against Microsoft Support on October 7, 2026.
What you need before you record
- A microphone. Sound Recorder records from a microphone, such as the one built into a laptop, a headset, a webcam or a USB microphone. Plug in or pair an external one before you open the app.
- Microphone permission. The first time you use Sound Recorder, Windows asks whether the app can use your microphone. Follow the on-screen instructions to allow it. If you skipped that prompt, the troubleshooting section below shows where to turn it on.
- Enough time in one file. Microsoft says Sound Recorder can record for up to three hours per recording file. For anything longer, plan a break and start a second recording.
You don’t have to keep Sound Recorder in front of you. Microsoft notes that the app works side by side with other apps, so it keeps recording while you carry on with other work on your PC.
Record audio with Sound Recorder
- Select Start and search for Sound Recorder, or pick Sound Recorder from the list of apps. The app opens with your earlier recordings, if you have any, in a list.
- Select Start recording, or press Ctrl + R. Recording begins right away, so start speaking.
- To take a break without ending the file, select Pause or press the Space key. Select Resume recording when you’re ready, and the app carries on in the same recording.
- When you’re finished, select Stop recording or press Esc. The recording is saved and appears in your list of recordings.
- Select the recording in the list and play it back to make sure your voice is clear and loud enough.
Each time you select Start recording again, Sound Recorder begins a new, separate recording. It doesn’t add to the previous one, so use Pause rather than Stop recording if you want everything in a single file.
Sound Recorder keyboard shortcuts
These are the shortcuts Microsoft documents for recording. They are handy when your hands are busy or you don’t want mouse clicks in the recording.
| Action | Button | Shortcut |
|---|---|---|
| Start a new recording | Start recording | Ctrl + R |
| Pause the recording | Pause | Space |
| Stop and save the recording | Stop recording | Esc |
Do a short test recording first
Before a lecture, interview or anything else you can’t repeat, record ten seconds of yourself talking normally and play it back. A test tells you three things that are hard to fix afterward: whether Windows is listening to the right microphone, whether the level is high enough, and whether there is background noise such as a fan or a TV.
If the test is too quiet, change the microphone level in Windows:
- Select Start > Settings > System > Sound.
- Under Input, select the microphone you are recording with.
- Under Input settings, drag the Input volume slider to the right to make recordings louder, or to the left if your voice sounds harsh or distorted.
- Select Start test, speak for a few seconds, and check the result. Then record another short test in Sound Recorder.
If your recordings pick up a lot of room noise, see how to turn on noise suppression in Windows 11.
Choose a different microphone
When more than one microphone is connected, for example a laptop microphone and a headset, Windows records from the one chosen as the input device. To pick it, go to Start > Settings > System > Sound and, in the Input section, select the microphone you want under Choose a device for speaking or recording.
Microsoft has also said that the Windows 11 version of Sound Recorder lets you change the recording device and the file format from inside the app. Those controls can move between app versions, so if you can’t find them, set the microphone in Settings as described above. It works for every app.
Mark important moments
Sound Recorder has a Mark button for flagging key moments in a recording, such as the start of a new topic in a meeting, so you can find them again when you play it back. One limit to know about: according to Microsoft’s Sound Recorder release notes from June 2026, markers are turned off for WAV recordings because that format can’t store them. If markers matter to you, record in a different format.
Right-click a recording in the list (or tap and hold it on a touchscreen) to manage it.
- Rename: Right-click the recording, select Rename, type a new name, and select Rename again to confirm. A name with the topic and date, such as “Biology lecture Oct 7,” is easier to find later.
- Share: Right-click the recording and select Share. Windows shows the apps you have that can share a file. Pick one and follow its instructions.
- Delete: Select the recording, then right-click it and select Delete.
Where recordings are saved
Microsoft’s Sound Recorder FAQ says your recordings are stored within the Sound Recorder app, and that they are deleted if you uninstall the app.
Warning: Before you uninstall Sound Recorder, or reset or replace your PC, use Share to send a copy of every recording you want to keep to another app or location, such as an email to yourself.
If Sound Recorder doesn’t record
The app can’t use the microphone
- Select Start > Settings > Privacy & security > Microphone.
- Make sure Microphone access is turned on.
- Make sure Let apps access your microphone is turned on, then find Sound Recorder in the list of apps and turn on its microphone access.
- Go back to Sound Recorder and try a new recording.
If these switches are turned off and you can’t change them on a work or school PC, your organization may be managing the setting. Ask your IT administrator to allow microphone access.
The recording is silent
- Check for a mute button or switch on your headset or microphone.
- Make sure the microphone or headset is plugged in properly, or paired if it uses Bluetooth.
- Go to Settings > System > Sound and confirm the right microphone is selected under Input. Select Start test to see whether Windows hears it at all.
- If your camera has the microphone you’re using, Microsoft also suggests checking Settings > Privacy & security > Camera.
If the test in Settings fails as well, the problem is with the microphone or Windows rather than Sound Recorder. Work through Microsoft’s Fix microphone problems page, which includes a recording audio troubleshooter in the Sound settings.
The recording is too quiet or distorted
Raise or lower Input volume as described in the test recording section. Moving closer to the microphone, or switching from a laptop microphone to a headset, often helps more than the slider does.
You can’t add markers
Markers aren’t available for WAV recordings. See the section on marking important moments above.
Frequently asked questions
How long can Sound Recorder record?
Up to three hours per recording file, according to Microsoft. For a longer session, stop at a natural break and start a new recording.
Can I pause and continue in the same recording?
Yes. Select Pause or press Space, then select Resume recording. Only Stop recording (or Esc) ends the file.
Can I keep using my PC while it records?
Yes. Sound Recorder is designed to run side by side with other apps, so you can take notes or browse while it records. Keep in mind that the microphone also picks up typing and other sounds near it.
Can Sound Recorder record my screen as well?
No. Sound Recorder makes audio recordings only. If you need video of what’s on your display, see how to record your screen in Windows 11.
What happens to my recordings if I uninstall Sound Recorder?
They are deleted. Microsoft states that recordings are stored within the app, so share copies of anything important before you remove it.
Is it the same in Windows 10?
Windows 10 uses an app called Voice Recorder, which Sound Recorder replaced in Windows 11. The steps are similar but the buttons differ, so follow the guide to record audio in Windows 10 instead.
For the official reference, see Microsoft’s Sound Recorder app for Windows: FAQ. Once your test recording sounds right, rename it or delete it so your list stays tidy, and you’re ready to record the real thing.
Matt Jacobs has been working as an IT consultant for small businesses since receiving his Master’s degree in 2003. While he still does some consulting work, his primary focus now is on creating technology support content for SupportYourTech.com.
His work can be found on many websites and focuses on topics such as Microsoft Office, Apple devices, Android devices, Photoshop, and more.