How to Screen Record on an HP Laptop: 3 Ways (With Audio)

Screen recording on an HP laptop (with or without sound) seems like something even the most basic device should be able to do.

After all, you can do it with a couple of swipes on an iPhone. So, why is it so hard to get it right on an HP laptop? Well, it's not. Whether you're recording your screen on Windows 11 or just grabbing some footage, you have plenty of options.

We'll show you how to do it here. If you're using a ProBook, see our step-by-step guide to screen recording on an HP ProBook laptop.

The short answer: HP laptops don't come with an HP screen recorder, but Windows gives you two built in. Use Xbox Game Bar (Windows + Alt + R) for games and app windows, and the Snipping Tool for everything Game Bar refuses to record — including the desktop and File Explorer. Use Tella when you also need a camera overlay, editing, and a shareable link.

Do HP laptops have a built-in screen recorder?

Yes — just not an HP-branded one. Every HP laptop running Windows 10 or Windows 11 ships with the Xbox Game Bar, and every HP on Windows 11 also has screen recording built into the Snipping Tool. Neither needs a download.

The catch is that they cover different things:

Method 1: How to screen record on an HP laptop with Xbox Game Bar

1. Open the Game Bar by pressing Windows + G on your laptop.

2. Before recording, open the Audio widget and check that system audio is up and the right microphone is selected — this is the step most people miss when their recording comes out silent.

3. Start recording by clicking on the Record button or pressing Windows + Alt + R. You can also customize the recording quality and audio preferences.

4. To stop the recording, click the Stop button on the Game Bar or press Windows + Alt + R again. The recorded video is saved as an MP4 in the Videos\Captures folder on your local drive.

Why Windows + Alt + R sometimes does nothing: Game Bar will not record the Windows desktop or File Explorer. If you trigger it there, you'll get "Gaming features aren't available for the Windows desktop or File Explorer" — or simply no response. Click into a real app window first. If the shortcut still does nothing anywhere, check Settings > Gaming > Xbox Game Bar is switched on.

That limitation is the reason most people looking for a screen recorder on an HP laptop need a second option.

Method 2: Record the desktop and any app with the Snipping Tool (Windows 11)

The Snipping Tool gained screen recording in Windows 11, and it records the things Game Bar won't — the desktop, File Explorer, and any region you drag out.

1. Hit the Start Menu and search Snipping Tool, then open it.

2. Switch to the video tab (the camcorder icon) at the top.

3. Click New, then drag to highlight the exact area of the screen you want to record.

4. Click the microphone icon in the toolbar if you want your voice included, then click Start. There's a three-second countdown.

5. Click Stop when you're done.

Your recording then opens in a preview window. Current Windows 11 versions save it to Videos\Screen Recordings automatically, and the Save as button in that preview lets you put the MP4 somewhere else instead.

The Snipping Tool has no camera overlay, no editing beyond what you captured, and no way to share the result other than sending the file. That's where a dedicated recorder comes in.

Method 3: How to screen record on an HP laptop using Tella

On your HP laptop, head to Tella’s screen recorder for Windows to download the native Windows app, or use Tella in your browser.

Here, you can sign up for free access to Tella’s screen recording app. You can record from the native Windows recorder or start from your browser.

As well as recording your screen, Tella enables video and audio recording alongside your screen captures.

How do I record my screen on my HP laptop?

Once you’ve signed up, take a look around the “Get Started” page or head straight to “New Video” in the top right-hand corner.

When you select “New Video”, you move to the recording screen.

Here, you have options to tailor the screen recording option on your HP laptop.

First up, hit “Share screen” to change the layout of what’s getting recorded.

Your screen will now look like this:

This is where you can choose exactly what you need to record.

If you’re likely to flick between apps, you might want to choose the entire screen. If you need only one window or tab recorded, choose the Window or Chrome tab.

Tip: if you need to use other apps and don’t want them to appear in the recording, choose the relevant Window or Chrome tab option so people don’t see you switching between apps.

When your screen appears, check your sound (if needed) and camera (if needed) are set to the right devices using the options in the “Mute” and “Stop camera” menus.

Now, hit the red record button to start recording on your HP laptop.

The best part about the Tella + HP laptop combo is they feel like they’re made for each other. It’s a modern laptop for creatives and people on the move. People who like high-quality products and produce high-quality work.

Unlike bog-standard screen recorders, Tella comes into its own when you start editing your videos.

When you finish recording, you immediately move to the edit screen in Tella. On the right-hand side, you’ll see all your editing options.

Without any video editing skills, you can make the following changes:

• Add a background (see the blue background on the below screenshot)
• Change orientation (landscape, portrait, square)
• Trim your video of unnecessary content
• Re-record parts of your video
• Mirror your camera
• Crop your screen
• Add a border

Notice my head is in the bottom right-hand corner. By choosing a different layout, I can move my head to anywhere else in the video with one click.

I also changed from a circle to a square because I thought it looked neater.

None of these editing options need any coding experience or third-party apps. Just a few clicks of your mouse, touchpad, or touchscreen. 

When you’re happy with the final cut, click “Finish” in the bottom right-hand corner and add your finishing touches:

• Name your video
• Add a custom button (if needed)
• Generate a sharing link
• Option to download 

Now you’re ready to send your video using the unique URL or download it ready to upload or send elsewhere.

You can even share your recording link in Slack—and people can watch your video without leaving Slack. Tella’s “for Slack” integration allows you to play Tella videos without leaving your favourite app.

Ready to start screen recording on your HP laptop?

Try Tella’s screen recorder for Windows.

Can you screen record gameplay on an HP laptop?

If you need to record gameplay on your HP laptop, the XBOX Game Bar will always work.

Try hitting Windows+G or hitting Windows then searching for Game Bar. If it doesn’t come up, you’ll need to install it.

To install the Game Bar, go to the Microsoft store and search XBOX Game Bar then click install.

When you open the Game Bar, your screen looks like this:

It’s a little overwhelming but I took this screenshot using the “Capture” option which is the highlighted grey camera in the top left-hand corner.

The option to the right of “Capture” is “Record” but you’ll notice this isn’t available to click.

When you try, an error message says “Gaming features aren’t available for the Windows desktop or File Explorer.”

What is the best screen recorder for HP laptop?

The XBOX Game Bar is a good option for gamers looking to record and upload their screenplay.

It’s free and built-in (unless you’ve uninstalled it) so there’s no cost to get setup.

But it doesn’t support much beyond gameplay.

If you need to screen record on your HP laptop for anything else, Tella’s screen recorder for Windows is perfect for creating videos you can edit, repurpose, and send to colleagues and customers.

Every new Tella account starts with a 7-day free trial, and no credit card is required to start.

People use Tella for all sorts of things:

• Reviewing onboarding flows
• Product Hunt launch demos
• Healthy eating challenges
• Obtaining user feedback
• Talent presentations
• Product launches
• How-to videos

You name it. Someone’s probably created a video using Tella for it.

And so can you.

Start using Tella for Windows today.

Frequently asked questions

Do HP laptops have a built-in screen recorder?

Yes. HP laptops don't ship with an HP-branded recorder, but every HP running Windows 10 or 11 includes the Xbox Game Bar, and every HP on Windows 11 also has recording built into the Snipping Tool. Use the Snipping Tool for desktop apps and File Explorer, because Game Bar refuses to record those.

How do I screen record on an HP laptop with sound?

In Xbox Game Bar, press Windows + G, open the Audio widget, and check the right microphone is unmuted and system audio is turned up before you record. In the Snipping Tool, click the microphone icon in the recording toolbar to include your mic.

Why is Windows + Alt + R not working on my HP laptop?

Usually because Game Bar won't record what you're pointing at — it blocks the Windows desktop and File Explorer. Click into an actual app window first. If nothing happens anywhere, confirm Xbox Game Bar is enabled under Settings > Gaming > Xbox Game Bar, or reinstall it from the Microsoft Store.

How do I screen record on an HP laptop on Windows 11?

Windows 11 gives you both built-in options. Press Windows + Alt + R to record an app window with Xbox Game Bar, or open the Snipping Tool, switch to the video (camcorder) tab, click New, drag to select the region, and press Start. The Snipping Tool is the better choice on Windows 11 for anything that isn't a game or a browser tab.

Where are screen recordings saved on an HP laptop?

Xbox Game Bar saves MP4 files to This PC > Videos > Captures. Current Windows 11 Snipping Tool versions save to This PC > Videos > Screen Recordings, and the preview window's Save as button lets you choose a different location.

Can you screen record on an HP laptop without downloading anything?

Yes. Xbox Game Bar and the Snipping Tool are already installed. If you also want editing, a camera overlay, and a shareable link without installing anything, Tella records in the browser as well as through its native Windows app.

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Recording on a different machine? See our guides to screen recording on Windows 11 with audio and screen recording on an HP Envy.