Applicable to: Fort Collins, Pueblo, Spur, System
Affiliation: Students, Faculty, Staff, Guests
Prerequisites
- You must be using Windows 10 (version 1809 or later) or Windows 11.
- Ensure the Xbox Game Bar feature is enabled in Settings.
- Optional: Enable background recording and audio capture if you want continuous capture or microphone audio.
Instructions
Part 1: Initial setup (one-time)
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Press Windows key + R, type winver, and press Enter to confirm your Windows version.
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Open Settings by pressing Windows key + I.
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Go to Gaming > Xbox Game Bar.
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Turn on the switch for Open Xbox Game Bar using this button on a controller (this enables the feature even if you don’t use a controller).
- (Optional) Go to Gaming > Captures and toggle on:
- Record in the background while I’m playing a game
- Record audio when I record a game
Part 2: Starting a recording
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Press Windows key + G to open Xbox Game Bar.
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Switch to the **app or window** you want to record. The Game Bar captures one app/window at a time—not the full desktop.
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Find the **Capture widget** (camera icon).
- If you do not see it, click the **Widgets menu** (four lines) and select **Capture**.
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Click the **Start Recording** button (circle) to begin.
- Shortcut: Press Windows key + Alt + R to start or stop recording immediately without opening the overlay.
- While recording:
- A small timer appears to show recording status.
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Perform the actions you want to capture.
- To stop recording:
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Press Windows key + Alt + R again, OR open Game Bar and click **Stop**.
- A notification will appear: “Game clip recorded.”
Part 3: Locating the recording
- By default, recordings are saved in the Videos > Captures folder in your user profile. Example path:
C:\Users\\Videos\Captures.
- You can also click the notification that appears after recording to open the file in Xbox Game Bar Gallery.
Part 4: Uploading & sharing via OneDrive
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Open File Explorer (Windows key + E).
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Go to Videos > Captures.
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Right-click the recording file and select Copy.
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Navigate to your OneDrive folder (usually in the left sidebar of File Explorer).
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Paste the recording into a folder in OneDrive.
- Wait until the sync icon changes from the syncing symbol to a green checkmark—this means the file is uploaded.
- To share:
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Right-click the video inside your OneDrive folder and select Share.
- Choose one of the following:
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Copy link – generates a sharing link you can paste into an email or chat.
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Send to – enter the recipient’s email address directly.
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Confirm permissions (usually Can view) and send the link.
Outcome
After completing these steps, you will have a recorded video of your chosen application or window saved in OneDrive and a shareable link. Recipients with the link and appropriate permissions can view the recording.