Need to record your screen on Windows 11 or Windows 10 with microphone or computer audio? This guide shows the complete workflow in Free Screencast, from choosing a capture area to saving a shareable video.
Download Free Screencast for Windows 11/10
Desktop software for Windows 11 and Windows 10. Your recording is processed on your PC.
Before you record
- Close notifications and private windows that should not appear in the video.
- Connect your microphone or headset before launching the recorder.
- Run a short 10-second test so you can check volume, cursor visibility and video quality.
- Make sure the destination drive has enough free space for a long recording.
How to record your screen on Windows 11 with audio
1. Install and open Free Screencast
Download the installer from this website, complete the Windows setup, and launch Free Screencast. The same workflow applies to Windows 10.
2. Choose the screen area
Select Screen as the video source. Use the preview and region controls to capture the full display or only the part needed for your tutorial. If more than one monitor is connected, choose the correct display. Turn cursor capture on when viewers need to follow your clicks.
3. Enable microphone or computer audio
Open the Recording tab and enable Audio Recording. Then open the Audio tab to select the available input source and channel. For narration, choose your microphone. If your sound driver exposes a system-audio or stereo-mix source, select it to capture sound played by the computer.
Watch the input level before recording. The meter should move when sound plays, but it should not stay at the maximum level. If no signal appears, check Windows Settings > Privacy & security > Microphone and allow desktop apps to use the microphone.
4. Select video format and recording options
Choose a broadly compatible format such as MP4 for tutorials and sharing. Free Screencast can also work with formats including AVI, WMV, WebM and MKV. If you are unsure, use the default compressor and make a short test recording before changing advanced settings.
Optional tools let you schedule a start or stop time, create a new file at a chosen interval, add a text or image overlay, rotate the picture, or assign recording hotkeys.
5. Start, pause and stop
Click Record or press F9. Perform the actions you want to demonstrate at a steady pace. Use Pause when you need a break, then Stop when the demonstration is complete.
6. Review the result
Play the saved file from beginning to end. Confirm that the correct display was captured, narration is clear, computer audio is synchronized, and no private notification appeared. Rename the finished file descriptively before uploading or sharing it.
Free Screencast or the Windows 11 Snipping Tool?
Windows 11 includes basic video capture in Snipping Tool. Press Windows + Shift + R to start a video snip. It is convenient for a quick region recording. Free Screencast is useful when you want additional capture sources and controls such as webcam or IP-camera input, recording timers, overlays, format choices and configurable hotkeys.
Troubleshooting
The video has no sound
Confirm that Audio Recording is enabled, select the correct input device, and check Windows microphone permissions. Bluetooth headsets can expose separate playback and hands-free devices, so test each available input.
The recording is black
Try recording a normal desktop window first. Protected or hardware-accelerated video may block capture. Close the protected player, disable its hardware acceleration where permitted, or capture a different application window.
The file is too large
Record only the required region, select MP4, and reduce resolution or quality for material that does not contain small text. Always keep one high-quality original when the recording will be edited later.
The microphone is too quiet or distorted
Move the microphone closer, reduce background noise, and adjust its input volume in Windows Sound settings. Avoid maximum gain because it can introduce clipping and hiss.
Frequently asked questions
Does Free Screencast support Windows 11?
Yes. The current download is intended for Windows 11 and Windows 10.
Can I record only part of the screen?
Yes. Choose Screen and set the capture region in the preview instead of recording the entire display.
Can I record a webcam?
Yes. Select Device to use a connected webcam or compatible capture device. You can also use the Network option for a supported IP-camera stream.
Which format should I choose?
MP4 is the simplest choice for most tutorials and websites. WebM can be useful for web delivery, while AVI or MKV may be appropriate for particular editing workflows.
Start Recording on Windows 11/10
For more ideas, see how to add text and image overlays to a screen recording.
