How to Screen Record Your Windows 11 without Installing 3rd Party Software?

Tired of downloading bulky software just to record your screen on Windows 11? You’re in luck! This guide shows you how to use built-in tools to capture your screen effortlessly and without extra cost. With Windows operating systems installed on your computer, it’s more important than ever to master the fundamental features of your current system. This knowledge will give you a solid foundation and help you transition smoothly to future versions, which are expected to have even more integrated and powerful screen-recording capabilities. 

By following these simple steps, you’ll be able to create tutorials, presentations, or quick clips in no time, using only the tools already at your fingertips.

Using the Snipping Tool (Simple and Easy)

One of the easiest ways to record your screen on Windows 11 is with the Snipping Tool. This familiar tool, once only for screenshots, now includes a powerful screen recording feature. It’s perfect for quick recordings and is very straightforward to use. You can record screen with audio from your microphone and system sound simultaneously. Take a look at below short and simple tutorial if you want to use it.

How to use it:

1. Open the Snipping Tool by pressing the Windows logo key + Shift + S.
2. Click the video camera icon at the top of the window to switch to recording mode.
3. Click on “New”, then drag your mouse to select the area of the screen you want to record.
4. A small toolbar will appear. Click the “Start” button to begin the recording.
5. When you’re finished, click the “Stop” button in the same toolbar. The video will automatically open in the Snipping Tool window where you can save or share it.

What if You Want to Record Screen and Edit Video on Windows 11 in just one TOOL?

For those looking for a more robust and free solution that combines screen recording, video editing, and even eLearning authoring, I highly recommend checking out Atomi ActivePresenter. It offers a wide range of features beyond what the built-in Windows tools can do, and it’s a great tool for creating professional-looking video tutorials and courses.

Here’s what ActivePresenter offers that goes far beyond the built-in Windows tools:

1. Comprehensive Video Editing: ActivePresenter is not just a screen recorder; it’s a full-featured video editor. After you record, the video is placed on a timeline where you can easily cut, copy, delete, and crop unwanted sections. You can add background music, adjust volume, and apply advanced audio effects like noise reduction. You can even blur sensitive information, which is a crucial feature for professional and educational content.
2. Rich Annotation and Effects: With ActivePresenter, you can make your videos more engaging and informative. You can add shapes, text, captions, and callouts to draw attention to specific parts of the screen. The software also allows you to add a spotlight effect, zoom-and-pan, and mouse cursor effects to guide your viewers’ focus.
3. eLearning Authoring Capabilities: This is where ActivePresenter truly differentiates itself. It’s designed to be a complete eLearning authoring tool. You can create interactive quizzes, software simulations, and educational games. You can import PowerPoint presentations and turn them into interactive eLearning courses. ActivePresenter supports exporting to standard formats like SCORM and xAPI, making your content compatible with almost any Learning Management System (LMS).
4. No Watermark and Unlimited Time: The free version of ActivePresenter is fully functional without any time limits or watermarks on your finished videos. This means you can create high-quality, professional content without paying a dime. The free version provides more than enough features for most users, making it an excellent and affordable alternative to premium software.

In short, if your needs are simple—a quick, unedited clip—the Snipping Tool is fine. But for anyone looking to create professional tutorials, training videos, or interactive eLearning content, ActivePresenter is the clear winner. It streamlines the entire process, from recording to editing to publishing, all within a single, powerful application.

The Bottom Line

Screen capture tools are useful but are underrated by users. There are countless free and powerful tools out there. The Snipping tool and Atomi ActivePresenter are just few of them. I hope this post help you out. If you have any question, feel free to contact us any time.