Screen Recording on Windows 10 and 11 — with a Shareable Link
Showing a bug, pointing out where to click, recording a short how-to — video does it faster than text. Here are the built-in ways to record your screen on Windows, and how to get a ready link to the video without uploading a file by hand.
Built-in options
| Tool | Shortcut | What it records |
|---|---|---|
| Xbox Game Bar | Win + Alt + R | one app or game window; not the desktop or File Explorer |
| Snipping Tool on Windows 11 | Win + Shift + S → camera icon (or Win + Shift + R in newer versions) | a selected region, with audio |
| Clipchamp | — | screen and camera, then editing; needs a Microsoft account |
All three save a file: you find it (usually Videos\Captures or Videos\Screen Recordings) and then send it. A couple of minutes of video weighs tens of megabytes — too much for many chats, let alone email.
Record your screen as a link with Shot2Net
- Press Shift + PrintScreen (the shortcut can be changed).
- Select a region or the whole screen — recording starts.
- Press Stop. The MP4 is in History, and with uploads on, the link is on your clipboard.
The link opens a page with a player in any browser: the person you send it to installs and downloads nothing.
Honestly, what to know:
- Video recording is part of the Pro plan. Screenshots, the editor and cloud links for screenshots are free.
- Video is recorded without audio — it's for showing, not narrating.
- 30 frames per second, H.264 — plays everywhere, phones included.
- The recording frame and control bar don't appear in the video.
When it helps
- Support and bug reports. Instead of "it doesn't work" — 20 seconds of video showing exactly what happens.
- How-tos for colleagues and clients. Showing a path through menus is faster than describing it.
- Design and front-end reviews. Animation and interface behaviour don't fit in a screenshot.
| Xbox Game Bar | Snipping Tool | Shot2Net | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Record a region | no | yes | yes |
| Record the desktop | no | yes | yes |
| Audio | yes | yes | no |
| Link right after recording | no | no | yes |
| Recording history | folder | folder | History in the app |
FAQ
How do I record my screen on Windows without installing anything? Win + Alt + R records the active window with Xbox Game Bar. On Windows 11, Snipping Tool records a region.
Why does Win + Alt + R record nothing? Game Bar doesn't record the desktop or File Explorer — only app and game windows. Also check it's on: Settings → Gaming → Xbox Game Bar.
How much does video recording cost in Shot2Net? It's part of the Pro plan — see prices on the home page. Screenshots stay free.
Can I delete a video I shared? Yes, from History in the app or on your account page — the link stops working.
For screenshots, see share a screenshot as a link.