Sign in with Microsoft
Sign in or create an account.
Hello,
Select a different account.
You have multiple accounts
Choose the account you want to sign in with.

Sound Recorder is an app you can use to record audio for up to three hours per recording file. You can use it side by side with other apps, which allows you to record sound while you continue working on your PC. (While there is also a desktop program called Sound Recorder, this article is about the Sound Recorder app.)
 

  • To start recording, tap or click the circular button with a microphone in the center. This is your Record button.

     Record button  

  • To pause recording, tap or click Pause.

    Pause button  

  • To resume the same recording you paused, tap or click Pause again.

  • To save the recording tap or click Stop. You'll see the recording appear in your list of recordings.

    Stop button  

    (The next time you tap or click Record, you'll start a new recording.)

  1. Tap or click the recording you want to rename.

  2. Tap or click Rename.

  3. Enter a new name for your recording. Tap or click Rename.

Your recordings are stored within the Sound Recorder app. If you uninstall the app, your recordings will be deleted. To send the recording file to someone through another app, use the Share charm.

  1. Open Sound Recorder.

  2. Tap or click the recording you want to share.

  3. Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, and then tap Share.
    (If you're using a mouse, point to the upper-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer down, and then click Share.)

  4. You'll see a list of the apps you have that can share. To mail your recording, tap or click Mail and follow the instructions. To share your recording to an app, tap or click the app and follow the instructions.

You can also send recording files as attachments right from the Mail app. Tap or click Sound Recorder from the menu when you're choosing a file to attach to an email.

  1. Tap or click the recording you want to trim.

  2. Tap or click Trim.

  3. Drag the left and right ends of the timeline to the new start and stop points you want.You can play the trimmed recording to make sure it starts and stops where you want. Adjust the start or stop points as needed. Tap or click OK.

  4. Do one of the following:

  • If you'd like to save the trimmed portion as a new recording file, tap or click Save a copy.

  • If you'd like to replace your recording with the trimmed portion, tap or click Update original.

Note: You can't trim if you have minimized Sound Recorder to take up less than 672px of width on the screen—you'll have to make Sound Recorder larger in order to trim.


  1. Tap or click the recording you want to delete.

  2. Tap or click Delete.

Sound Recorder won't continue recording in the background when you use other apps. To use Sound Recorder along with other apps, use them side by side.

To use Sound Recorder alongside other apps

  1. Open Sound Recorder.

  2. Swipe in from the top of the screen until an opening appears behind the app, then drag the app to the left or right.(If you're using a mouse, click the top of the screen and drag the app down until an opening appears behind it, then drag the app to the left or right.)

  3. Go back to Start and open a second app. It will appear next to Sound Recorder on the same screen.

  4. Adjust the amount of your screen you would like Sound Recorder to use by moving the bar between apps.

  1. Open Sound Recorder.

  2. Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, and then tap Settings.
    (If you're using a mouse, point to the lower-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer up, and then click Settings.)

  3. Tap or click Permissions.

  4. Set Microphone to On. You can now record.

  1. Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, and then tap Search.
    (If you're using a mouse, point to the upper-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer down, and then click Search.)

  2. Enter Sound in the search box, and then tap or click Sound.

  3. Tap or click the Recording tab.

  4. Tap or click Microphone, and then tap or click Properties.

  5. Tap or click the Levels tab. Use the sliders to adjust the volume and boost of your microphone.

  6. Tap or click OK, and then tap or click OK again to close Sound.

Need more help?

Want more options?

Explore subscription benefits, browse training courses, learn how to secure your device, and more.

Communities help you ask and answer questions, give feedback, and hear from experts with rich knowledge.

Find solutions to common problems or get help from a support agent.

Was this information helpful?

What affected your experience?
By pressing submit, your feedback will be used to improve Microsoft products and services. Your IT admin will be able to collect this data. Privacy Statement.

Thank you for your feedback!

×