How to record just one window on Windows 10 and 11

Recording your whole screen often shows more than you meant to: chat messages, email previews, other tabs, a busy taskbar. Recording only the window you are talking about keeps the video focused and avoids sharing things by accident.

Record one window with Simple Recorder

Simple Recorder is a free screen recorder for Windows 10 and 11.

1. Open Simple Recorder and click Start Recorder Bar. The bar appears at the top of your screen and stays above your other windows.
2. On the bar, choose Window, then pick the app you want to record from the list.
3. Turn Sound on if you want to talk over the recording, and pick a start delay if you need a moment to get ready.
4. Press Record. Use Pause to skip parts you do not want.
5. Press Stop, or Ctrl + Shift + Alt + S from any app. The take is saved as an MP4 in Videos\Simple recorder, in a folder for today.

Keep the window in front

Simple Recorder frames the take to where the window sits on screen. Keep that window in front and in place while you record, because anything you drag over it will show up in the video. If you need to move it, stop, move the window, and pick it again.

Record one window with Xbox Game Bar

Xbox Game Bar is built into Windows 10 and 11.

1. Click the app you want to record so it has focus.
2. Press Win + G to open Game Bar.
3. In the Capture widget, press the record button, or press Win + Alt + R.
4. Press Win + Alt + R again to stop.

Game Bar records only the app that had focus when you started. It cannot record the desktop or File Explorer, and it does not follow you to another app. It was built for games, so it has no start delay, area picker, or auto stop.

Which settings to use

For most single-window recordings, these are good starting points in Simple Recorder:

See frame rate and resolution for screen recordings for why.

Common questions

How do I record only one window and not my whole screen on Windows?

Use Simple Recorder and choose Window on the recorder bar, or use Xbox Game Bar, which records only the app in focus. Both are free.

Can I record File Explorer or the desktop with Xbox Game Bar?

No. Game Bar cannot record the desktop or File Explorer. Use Simple Recorder or Snipping Tool on Windows 11 to record those.

Does the recording show other windows that cover the one I picked?

In Simple Recorder, yes. It records the area where the window is, so keep that window in front while recording.

Where are my recordings saved?

Simple Recorder saves to Videos\Simple recorder, with one folder per day. Game Bar saves to Videos\Captures.