Need to record some audio? Here's how on Windows 10 for free.

You can record audio from a conversation or podcast on Windows 10, and here's how using the Voice Recorder app.

On Windows 10, the Voice Recorder app is a quick and convenient solution that you can use to record interviews, conversations, lectures, podcasts, and anything that makes a sound.

Although there are tons of alternatives, the free Voice Recorder app included on Windows 10 is simple, and ships with all the necessary features to record, trim, flag important moments, and share audio.

In this Windows 10 guide, we'll walk you through the steps to use the Voice Recorder app on your device.

• How to install Voice Recorder app on Windows 10
• How to use Voice Recorder app on Windows 10
• How to fix Voice Recorder app problems on Windows 10

How to install Voice Recorder app on Windows 10

Voice Recorder comes installed on Windows 10, but if you don't have it, you can install it with these steps:

1. Open Microsoft Store.

2. Click the Get button.

   

3. Click the Open button.
4. Click the Get button.

Once you complete the steps, you can launch the app from the Start menu to record audio on your desktop, laptop, or tablet.

How to use Voice Recorder app on Windows 10

Voice Recorder is a straightforward application to record audio. You only need a microphone. The one built-in on your laptop or tablet, the one from a webcam, or any other microphone will do just fine.

The instructions below will guide you with everything you need to know to record, listen, and edit your sound recording files.

Recording audio

To record audio on Windows 10, make sure the microphone is connected (if applicable), and use these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for Video Recorder, and click the top result to open the app.

3. Click the Record button.

   

   Quick tip: You can also start recording using the Ctrl + R keyboard shortcut.

4. (Optional) Click the Flag button to add a marker to the recording.

   Quick note: This option won't interrupt the audio recording, but when editing the track, you can quickly jump to important parts of the recording.

5. (Optional) Click the Pause button to stop recording without terminating the session. (This option will keep the recording in a single file.)

6. Click the Stop button to end the voice recording.

   

Once you complete the steps, the audio will save automatically using a .m4a file format in the "Sound recordings" folder inside the "Documents" folder.

If you need a microphone, we recommend the Samson Q2U, since it offers good quality and a relatively low price.

Samson Q2U

Budget friendly

From $60 at Best Buy

The Samson Q2U has a very pretty impressive quality considering its price. It comes with a pop cover, a tripod, and a 3.5mm jack for audio monitoring purposes.

Playing audio recordings

To play previously recorded audio tracks on Windows 10, use these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for Video Recorder, and click the top result to open the app.
3. Select the track from the left pane.

4. Click the Play button to listen to the recording.

   

Once you complete the steps, click the Pause button to stop listening, or select another recording to play other files.

Trimming audio recording

To trim an audio track after a recording session, use these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for Video Recorder, and click the top result to open the app.
3. Select the recording from the left pane.

4. Click the Trim button from the bottom-right corner.

   

5. Use the pins in the track to select the new beginning and end of the recording.

   

6. Click the Save (floppy) button from the bottom-right corner.

7. Select the Save a copy option (recommended).

   

After you complete the steps, you'll end up with a shorter version of the file.

Renaming audio files

Although the app saves every voice recording file automatically, it uses generic names, which isn't convenient to keep your recordings organized.

To add a more descriptive name to your recordings, use these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for Video Recorder, and click the top result to open the app.
3. Select the recording from the left pane.
4. Click the Rename button in the bottom right corner.
5. Type a descriptive name for the file — for example, interview_satya_nadella_june2020.

6. Click the Rename button.

   

Once you complete these steps, the audio recording will be saved with the name you specified in the "Sound recording" folder inside the "Documents" folder.

Sharing audio recording

To share a recording on social media or email, use these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for Video Recorder, and click the top result to open the app.
3. Select the recording from the left pane.

4. Click the Share button from the bottom-right corner.

   

5. Select the app to share the audio file.
6. Continue with the on-screen directions to share the audio file.

If you're looking to import the audio file into another project, you don't need to share it. You can just copy and paste the file from the "Sound recordings" folder to your "Documents" folder, or any other location.

How to fix Voice Recorder app problems on Windows 10

If you're having problems recording audio, it's likely a problem with your microphone or privacy settings.

Fixing Voice Recorder microphone access

To allow the Voice Recorder app access the microphone on Windows 10, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Privacy.
3. Click on Microphone.
4. Under the "Allow access to the microphone on this device" section, click the Change button.
5. Turn on the Microphone for this device toggle switch.

6. Under the "Allow apps to access your microphone" section, make sure the toggle switch is in the On position.

   

7. Under the "Choose which Microsoft Store apps can access your microphone" section, turn on the Voice Recorder toggle switch.

   

After you complete the steps, you should be able to record sound using the Voice Recorder app.

Fixing microphone problems

If the app doesn't recognize the microphone, you can use the "Sound" troubleshooter to fix this problem:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on System.
3. Click on Sound.

4. Under the "Input" section, click the Troubleshoot button.

   

5. Continue with the on-screen directions.

   

Once you complete these steps, any problems with the microphone should be resolved, and the Voice Recorder app should now be able to detect it.

If the microphone still doesn't work, then make sure it's connected properly to your device. If you're using a USB microphone, you can try a different USB cable or port on it.

In the case that you're dealing with a Bluetooth microphone, make sure it's available on Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices. Also, make sure that Bluetooth is enabled on your device from the settings page. You can learn more about using Bluetooth, in this comprehensive guide.

More Windows 10 resources

For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10, visit the following resources:

• Windows 10 on Windows Central – All you need to know
• Windows 10 help, tips, and tricks
• Windows 10 forums on Windows Central