How to Record Audio on Windows 10 in 3 Steps

Before you start

Install and open Free Sound Recorder. For computer audio, play the sound in its usual browser or media player and check that you can hear it. For speech, connect your microphone first. Keep enough free disk space for the take and make a brief test before recording a long session.

Only record audio you own or have permission to record. A website or player can restrict access to its content; this recorder does not remove those restrictions.

STEP 1 OF 3

Choose Speakers, Mic, or both

1. In the source row, select Speakers to capture the sound playing through that Windows output device.
2. Select Mic for your voice. Select both sources only when you want computer sound and microphone commentary together.
3. Clear the inputs you do not want. Device names come from Windows, so yours may differ from the screenshot. If you switch to a USB headset or another output, check the selected source again.

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Avoid feedback: use headphones when recording a microphone alongside computer audio. The Listen control monitors the microphone; leave it off if you hear an echo. Start with moderate input gain and reduce it if the test sounds distorted.

STEP 2 OF 3

Record, stop and listen back

1. Click the red Record button, or press Ctrl + R. If Count-in is enabled, wait for the countdown before beginning.
2. Use Pause to suspend the take and resume when ready. The pause shortcut is Ctrl + Shift + R.
3. Click Stop when finished. Play the result and listen to the beginning, a section in the middle and the end before exporting. If you selected multiple devices, review the tracks added by the recorder.

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For a short excerpt, drag across the waveform and check the selection’s start, end and duration. Leave the full recording intact until you have listened to it. In the next step you can export just the selection instead of deleting the rest.

STEP 3 OF 3

Export your recording as MP3, WAV or FLAC

1. Open File → Export / Download and enter a useful file name.
2. Choose MP3 for a compact listening copy, WAV for uncompressed audio, or FLAC for lossless compression. For MP3, select the available bitrate and mono or stereo output.
3. Choose Export whole file, or Export Selection Only when you have selected the passage you need. Click Export and save the file.
4. Open the exported file in your normal player. Confirm the sound, duration and destination before closing your work.

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A higher MP3 bitrate creates a larger file; it cannot restore detail missing from the source. Keep a WAV or FLAC copy if you plan to edit the recording again.

If the test recording is silent or distorted

Computer sound is missing

Check that audio is actually playing and that the selected Speakers device is the one Windows is using. A Bluetooth headset or HDMI display can change the active output.

Your voice is missing

Check the Mic checkbox and the physical mute switch. In Windows microphone privacy settings, allow desktop apps to use the microphone, then try a short take again.

You hear echo or crackling

Turn off microphone Listen, use headphones and lower the source gain. Close another application that is holding the device if recording cannot start.

Only part of the audio was exported

Return to File → Export / Download and select Export whole file. Selection-only output follows the currently marked passage.