The Windows 10 free Voice Recorder app allows you to make quick and clear audio recordings for about to 2 hours and 59 minutes (per recording session).
How to access the Voice Recorder app in Windows 10
- Start by typing the app's name “Voice Recorder” in the Windows 10 search box.
2. Select "Voice Recorder" from the Microsoft start menu.
3. If this is the first time you are opening the Voice Recorder app, Windows 10 will ask permission to access your microphone.
4. Select “Yes”
How to set up a microphone for the Voice Recorder app
When you open the Voice Recorder app, you might find that the Record button is unavailable. You might get the message "You need to set up a microphone in Settings" at the bottom of the window.
If this prompt appears, then you must give the Voice Recorder app access to your microphone. Select the "See more" menu to open the Microphone settings, and then select "Microphone settings".
The Microphone window will open in the "Setting" Window app.
Scroll to "Allow apps to access your microphone” on this device option. Please enable the app by turning it “On”.
Continue to scroll down to find a list containing apps and whether they are allowed to access your microphone or not allowed. Find the Voice Recorder app in the list and make sure it is allowed to access the microphone, by turning the switch "On."
How to create a recording using Voice Recorder in Windows 10
Select the Record button or use the keyboard short cut "Ctrl + R" to start your recording.
The Voice Recorder app will start recording once you select the "Record button" and will also display the time elapsed since the audio recording started.
How to use the Pause button
Press "Pause" if you want to stop recording for a short time. Select the Pause button to pause the recording at any time, without ending the current recording session. Selecting the Pause button one more time causes the app to resume the recording. When you are done recording, select Stop recording button in the center of the window.
How to use the Add a Marker button
Press "Add a Marker" if you want to "flag" important parts of your recording. Add markers inside your recording while it is being created. The marker is shown at the bottom of the window, next to a flag icon, and it displays the time elapsed since the recording started. You can add as many markers as you want while recording.
You can also add markers while playing a previously saved recording, by pressing the "Add a marker" button.
To remove a "flag" marker, right-click or press-and-hold on it, and then select the only available option: "Delete this marker."
How to stop the recording session
Select the Stop button
Keep in mind that the limit for a recording is about 2 hours 59 minutes.
Your audio recording is saved under the default name Recording. The date and time when the recording were saved are displayed underneath, followed by the duration of the recording. Once you have at least one recording saved in Voice Recorder. The Record button is displayed in the lower-left corner of the window, and you can press it at any time to start a new recording.
All your recording sessions are saved in a list in the Voice Recorder app under the default name Recording, the most recent being at the top.
How to rename a recording in Voice Recorder
Select the recording you want to rename and then selecting the Rename button at the bottom of the window or in Context menu.
In the pop-up window that appears, insert the new desired name for your recording, and select Rename.
How to listen to a recording
Select the recording from the list and either select again or press "Play."
How to trim a recording
The Voice Recorder will allow you to trim a recording and edit audio.
Select the Recording from the list and then select the Trim button at the bottom of the window.
To "Start of trimmed section" and "End of trimmed section."
Drag them around to select the part of your recording you want to keep.
Press the "Play" button at any time while trimming to make sure your selection is accurate. When you have made your decision, select Save at the bottom of the window.
You will have the option to select "Update original" or "Save a copy."
If you choose to "Update original" the recording is replaced by the new version, while "Save a copy" creates a new recording in the list.
How to share your recordings
Select the recording you want to share and right-click or press-and-hold the recording in the list. Or select the Share button at the bottom of the window.
A window should pop up, displaying the options available. You can share the recording through OneNote.
How to Open file location to access the video file to insert in your Brightspace course or send a copy of the file to a recipient.
Go to "Open file location" from the See more menu
The Sound recordings folder opens in File Explorer
You can find the Sound recordings folder in Documents.
The default location is C:\Users\username\Documents\Sound recordings\Recording.m4a.
Now you can copy the file and send it via email or insert into your Brightspace course.