Using the Sound Recorder

Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated April 2, 2018)

Windows includes an accessory that you can use to record audio messages or other sounds. It is called (appropriately enough) Sound Recorder. It isn't as full-featured as some audio programs, but it is quick, easy and—best of all—free.

To start Sound Recorder, click the Start button and choose All Programs | Accessories | Sound Recorder. When the accessory starts, there really isn't much to it. (See Figure 1.)

Figure 1. The Sound Recorder.

To check if Sound Recorder is working properly with your microphone, just start talking. You should see a green indicator jumping about as the program detects your voice (and any other sounds in the room). When you are ready to start recording, click the Start Recording button and begin speaking into the microphone.

When you are done recording, click the Stop Recording button. Windows displays a Save As dialog box, which you can use to specify the location and name for the sound file just recorded. The size of the file depends on how long of an audio clip you recorded.

To later play the sound file, simply use Windows Explorer to locate the file and double-click on it.

 This tip (12966) applies to Windows 7.

Author Bio

Allen Wyatt

With more than 50 non-fiction books and numerous magazine articles to his credit, Allen Wyatt is an internationally recognized author. He is president of Sharon Parq Associates, a computer and publishing services company. ...

MORE FROM ALLEN

Understanding Strikethrough Formatting

The strikethrough text feature in Word can be used as part of your document or to indicate that changes have been made to ...

Discover More

Multi-Page Print Preview

Many users rely on Print Preview to show them what their printout will look like. When using Print Preview, you aren't ...

Discover More

Mail Merge and Data Source Documents become Unattached

When you create a mail merge document, you attach it to a data source that is the basis for the information to be merged ...

Discover More
More WindowsTips

Quick Assist for Quick Help

Many times, in our lives we will be asked, or we will ask, for computer help. Windows 10 offers a quick way of doing this ...

Discover More

Capturing a Screen Shot

There are a lot of reasons why you may want to capture screen shots. This tip shows how easy it is to do it.

Discover More

Using the Voice Recorder

Windows 10 includes the new Voice Recorder app. Ideal for recording lectures, cute things your kids say, musical ...

Discover More
Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] (all 7 characters, in the sequence shown) in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

What is five minus 0?

There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)


Newest Tips