Dell Screen Record: How to Record Your Screen
If you have a Dell laptop or desktop running Windows, you can record your screen without installing any extra software. The built-in Xbox Game Bar (Windows 10 and 11) and the Snipping Tool (Windows 11) both capture screen video, and the steps are the same on any Dell model. This article explains those built-in options, plus what to do when they don’t work and when you might want a third-party tool instead.
Built-in screen recording on Windows 10 and 11
Every Dell computer sold with Windows 10 or Windows 11 includes the Xbox Game Bar, which records a window or your entire display to an MP4 file. It is designed for games, but it works with any application. To open it, press Windows + G. If you see a pop-up asking “Do you want to open Game Bar?�, tick the box and click Yes.
Once the overlay appears:
- Click the Record button (a circle) or press Windows + Alt + R to start recording.
- A small timer appears in the corner. Click the square Stop button or press Windows + Alt + R again to stop.
- The video is saved automatically in Videos > Captures (or This PC > Videos > Captures) as an MP4 file.
In Windows 11, the Snipping Tool also has a screen recording mode. Open the Snipping Tool from the Start menu, click the video camera icon, choose New, then select an area and press Start. The recording saves to a new window where you can play it or save it as an MP4.
How to record with sound (including your voice)
By default, Game Bar records system audio (the sounds your computer plays), but not your microphone. To include your voice, open Game Bar and click the Settings gear icon, then go to Capturing > Audio. Turn on the microphone option and select the input device (usually “Microphone Array� on a Dell laptop).
If you need to record both system sound and your voice at the same time, that works too. However, be aware that Game Bar does not separate the two audio tracks—it mixes them into one. For separate tracks (useful for editing), you would need a third-party tool.
Why your Dell might not record (and how to fix it)
If pressing Windows + G does nothing, or the record button is greyed out, it is usually one of these issues:
- Game Bar is disabled. Go to Settings > Gaming > Game Bar and make sure “Record game clips, screenshots, and broadcast using Game Bar� is turned on.
- Your Dell is a work or school device. IT policies sometimes disable Game Bar. Check with your administrator if you are on a managed computer.
- You are trying to record the desktop or File Explorer. Game Bar may refuse to record the Windows desktop or certain system windows. Try opening the app you want to record first, then start Game Bar.
- Graphics drivers are outdated. On Dell laptops with Intel or AMD graphics, updating the driver from Dell’s support site or Windows Update can fix recording glitches.
If Game Bar still won’t record, restart your computer. That resolves most temporary issues.
Recording a specific window vs. the whole screen
Game Bar records the entire screen by default. If you only want to record one application window, you can capture that window and then crop the video afterwards, but Game Bar does not offer a “record this window only� option. In Windows 11’s Snipping Tool, you can select a rectangular area before recording, which effectively records just that part of the screen.
For a more precise window-only recording, you would need a third-party tool like OBS Studio, which lets you choose a specific window as the source.
When you should use a third-party screen recorder
Built-in tools are enough for quick tutorials, short clips, or recording a meeting. But if you need any of the following, consider a free or paid third-party app:
- Long recordings – Game Bar stops after 4 hours, and some users report it stops earlier on low-spec Dells.
- Webcam overlay – To show your face in a corner of the video, you need OBS Studio or similar.
- Editing tools – Cutting, adding text, or zooming requires a video editor (e.g., Clipchamp, which is built into Windows 11).
- Recording non-game apps that Game Bar blocks – Some full-screen apps (like certain media players) won’t capture properly.
Free options include OBS Studio (open source, powerful), ShareX (lightweight, good for quick clips), and the built-in Clipchamp for basic editing. Paid tools like Camtasia or ScreenFlow offer more polish but are not necessary for most users.
Where your recordings are stored and how to change it
Game Bar saves recordings to Videos > Captures by default. To change the location, go to Settings > Gaming &strong> > Captures and click “Open folder� or change the drive under “Capture location.� Note that you can only change the folder on the same drive; moving it to an external drive requires moving the entire “Captures� folder manually.
Snipping Tool recordings are saved via the Save icon in the recording window—you choose where to put them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Dell have its own screen recorder?
No. Dell does not ship a proprietary screen recorder. All Dell computers rely on Windows’ built-in tools (Game Bar and Snipping Tool) or third-party software.
Why is my Game Bar recording black?
A black video usually means the app you are recording uses hardware acceleration that Game Bar cannot capture. Try disabling hardware acceleration in that app’s settings (e.g., in Chrome or Edge), or switch to a third-party recorder.
Can I record my screen on a Dell with Windows 10?
Yes. Windows 10 includes Game Bar, which works exactly as described above. The Snipping Tool recording feature is only in Windows 11, but you can use Game Bar on Windows 10.
How long can I record with Game Bar?
Game Bar records up to 4 hours in one clip. After that, it stops automatically. For longer recordings, use OBS Studio or another tool that does not have a time limit.
Is there a way to record without showing the Game Bar overlay?
Yes. The overlay disappears as soon as you start recording. The only thing visible is a small timer in the corner, which you can hide by going to Game Bar settings and turning off “Show timer while recording.�
Can I record a PowerPoint presentation on my Dell?
Yes. Open PowerPoint, start the slideshow, then press Windows + Alt + R to record. Game Bar will capture the slideshow and your voice if you have the microphone enabled. Alternatively, PowerPoint itself has a built-in recording feature under Slide Show > Record.
Related
Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.