If your job or hobby requires you to create an audio recording, you can use this free Windows 10 tool. Voice Recorder is an uncomplicated solution that allows you to record, edit, mark relevant parts, and share your recordings.
How to Record Sound Using Voice Recorder
In the Start menu search bar, input voice recorder and select the Best Match. To begin recording, select the Record button. Also, you can start recording by pressing Ctrl + R. Select the Pause button when you want to interrupt the recording without finishing the session. This way, you will have a single audio file. To finish the recording session, select the Stop button. Also, you can stop recording by pressing Esc, Backspace, or Spacebar.
Please note that if you are using an older version of Windows 10, you might have to download the app from the Microsoft Store.
Download: Windows Voice Recorder (Free)
If you close the Voice Recorder window while you are still recording, you will get a notification saying the recording is now paused. However, if you are using Focus Assist to silence notifications, Windows 10 will not display any notification about your recording’s progress.
After you stop recording, Windows 10 will save the audio file automatically in .m4a format. You can find the file in the Sound Recordings folder within the Documents folder.
How to Listen to Your Recordings
In the Start menu search bar, input voice recorder and select the Best Match. Select the track that you want to listen to from the menu displayed in the left part of the window. Use the slider and the Pause/Play button.
How to Add Markers
Markers allow you to identify important parts of your recording, making the editing process easier. To add a marker, select the Add a marker button or press Ctrl + M. The marker is displayed as a flag, and it specifies how much time passed since you started recording.
Also, you can add markers while listening to one of your recordings. Adding a marker will not interrupt or affect the recording. If you want to remove one of the markers, right-click it and select Delete this marker.
How to Edit an Audio Recording with Voice Recorder
If you want to keep it simple, you can use Voice Recorder to trim your recordings and keep only the useful parts.
In the Start menu search bar, input voice recorder and select the Best Match. Select the audio recording that you want to edit from the list. Select the Trim button. This will display two pins. Slide the pins across the bar to select the part that you want to keep. Select the Play button to make sure you are not accidentally removing important parts. Select the Save button once you are done trimming the recording.
There are two options: Save a copy and Update original. If you think the audio recording still needs a little more polishing, it’s better to use the Save a copy option. Updating the original version will remove the audio you trimmed permanently.
Windows 10 will automatically name the audio recordings, add the time and date, and each recording’s length. While these are definitely helpful information, they might not be enough.
If you need a large number of audio recordings for your projects, the default names might be confusing. A more efficient way to identify the audio recordings is to name the files yourself. Here is how you can do it:
Open the Voice Recorder app. Select the recording that you want to rename from the menu. Click the Rename button. Type a name that will give you enough information about the recording. Click the Rename button.
How to Share an Audio Recording
Open the Voice Recorder app Select the audio recording you want to share. Select the Share button. Choose the app you want to use to share the recording.
If you are sharing the recording with someone in the same room as you, the fastest way might be to share it using Nearby Sharing.
How to Fix Microsoft Voice Recorder
The first time you use Voice Recorder, Windows 10 will ask you to set up a microphone in Settings. You must allow the app to access your microphone, or else Voice Recorder won’t have an audio input.
Here is how you allow the Voice Recorder to access your microphone.
Right-click the Start menu and select Settings. Select Privacy. From the App permission list, select Microphone. Under Allow apps to access your microphone, turn on the switch. Scroll down to Choose what Microsoft Store Apps can access your microphone. Make sure the toggle is turned on for Voice Recorder.
Run The Troubleshooter for Your Microphone
Before you try more complicated solutions, such as reinstalling or updating the drivers, give this quick fix a try. Here is how you can do it:
Right-click Start. Click Settings. From the Update & Security menu, click Troubleshoot. Click Additional troubleshooters. From the Find and fix other problems, choose the Recording audio option. Select Run the troubleshooter. From the new window, select the microphone that you want to fix. Select the Next button.
If your microphone is still not working, make sure the microphone is connected properly to your device. If you are using a USB microphone, connect it to a different USB port or USB cable.
If you have connected the microphone through Bluetooth and it’s not working properly, go through this checklist:
Make sure you enabled Bluetooth on your device. Open the Action Center and check if Bluetooth is turned on. Check if the microphone doesn’t need to be charged. Make sure you are in the operating range. You can connect your devices through Bluetooth only if they are 20 to 30 feet from each other. Also, obstacles such as walls will hinder the connection. Check if you are not already sending a large amount of data through Bluetooth. Sending files through Nearby Sharing or using a Bluetooth speaker will affect the Bluetooth connection.
Create Audio Recordings Within Minutes
The Microsoft Voice Recorder for Windows 10 is a basic but functional audio recording tool. It isn’t packed with features, but if you need to record some audio quickly and require minimal editing tools, it does a good job.
