Shortcut Key for Screen Recording in Windows 10 (Complete Guide)

Screen recording is one of the most useful features in Windows 10—especially for creating tutorials, recording gameplay, capturing online meetings, or saving any activity happening on your screen. Many users wonder if there’s a quick keyboard shortcut for this, and the answer is YES!
Windows 10 comes with a built-in tool called Xbox Game Bar, which allows easy screen recording without installing any third-party software.

🎯 Shortcut Key for Screen Recording in Windows 10

The default keyboard shortcut to start screen recording is:

➡️ Press `Windows key + Alt + R`

This shortcut starts and stops screen recording instantly.

What Happens When You Use This Shortcut?

A small recording bar appears on the top-right corner of your screen.
The timer begins immediately.
Press the same shortcut again (Windows + Alt + R) to stop recording.

Your recorded videos are automatically saved in:

This PC → Videos → Captures

How to Enable Screen Recording (If It Doesn’t Work)

If the shortcut doesn’t respond, you may need to enable the Game Bar.

Follow these steps:

Open Settings
Go to Gaming
Click Xbox Game Bar
Turn on the toggle for “Enable Xbox Game Bar for things like recording game clips.“

✔️ Now the shortcut will work properly.

Additional Useful Game Bar Shortcuts

Action	Shortcut
Open Xbox Game Bar	Windows + G
Start/Stop Recording	Windows + Alt + R
Take Screenshot	Windows + Alt + PrtScn
Turn Mic On/Off During Recording	Windows + Alt + M

Limitations of Windows 10 Screen Recording

Before relying fully on the built-in recorder, note these limitations:

Cannot record File Explorer
Cannot record the desktop screen
Limited to apps and windows only
Basic controls, not ideal for advanced editing

If you need full-screen or advanced screen recording, tools like OBS Studio, ShareX, or Bandicam are better.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. How do I record my screen in Windows 10 without software?

Use the Xbox Game Bar shortcut Windows + Alt + R. No extra software required.

2. Where can I find my recorded videos?

All recordings are saved in:
Videos → Captures

3. Can I record my desktop using the Windows 10 screen recorder?

No. The built-in recorder cannot record the desktop or File Explorer. You’ll need third-party apps for that.

4. Does screen recording capture audio?

Yes, if you enable the microphone or system audio from the Game Bar settings.

5. How do I pause a screen recording?

Windows 10’s built-in tool does not support pause. You would need third-party software.

6. Is the Game Bar available on all Windows 10 versions?

Yes, but it must be enabled in Settings → Gaming → Xbox Game Bar.

Final Thoughts

Windows 10 makes screen recording extremely easy with a simple shortcut:

🔥 Windows + Alt + R

Whether you’re creating tutorials or capturing gameplay, this shortcut helps you quickly start recording without any hassle. For advanced features, consider using third-party screen recorders.

Shortcut Key for Screen Recording in Windows 10 (Complete Guide)