How to Include System Audio When Recording with Snipping Tool In Windows 11, Snipping Tool includes a screen recording feature that can capture system audio. This is useful for creating demonstrations or tutorials that require both visuals and spoken audio, but it can also raise privacy, compliance, and performance concerns In this video, we’ll show you how to enable or disable Snipping Tool’s audio recording featre Before we begin, be sure to subscribe to NinjaOne’s IT video hub and our YouTube channel for more tech content like this. Before making any changes, make sure you meet these technical requirements: Snipping Tool version 11.2306.43.0 or later, Windows 11 version 22H2 or newer, administrative privileges in managed environments, and compatible audio drivers for your device. How to Exclude or Include System Audio When Recording with Snipping Tool Let’s start with the most straightforward method: through Snipping Tool itself. First, launch Snipping Tool from the Start menu and click the Record icon to switch to recording mode. Select the three-dot menu on the left and then click Settings. Look for Include microphone input by default when a screen recording starts and toggle this On or Off, depending on your preference. For IT admins, you can manage Snipping Tool’s access to audio without uninstalling it. Start by opening Settings and selecting Privacy & security. Under App permissions, select Microphone. Then find Snipping Tool and toggle it Off. If it’s not listed, you can turn off microphone access for all desktop apps per your policy. Once disabled, Snipping Tool won’t be able to capture system or input audio. For quick removal via command line, use PowerShell. Simply open it as an administrator and run this command: This uninstalls Snipping Tool entirely. You can reinstall it later from the Microsoft Store if needed. Lastly, using Group Policy is ideal for enterprise environments. First, press Win + R, type gpedit.msc, and hit Enter. Then Navigate to Computer Configuration, Administrative Templates, Windows Components, and then App Privacy. From there, configure “Let Windows apps access the microphone” to restrict audio input access as required. Overall, Snipping Tool remains a convenient option for quick captures and recordings. But in managed or enterprise environments, it’s important to control how and when audio is recorded. By following these methods, you can enable, disable, or fully restrict Snipping Tool’s screen recording with audio—keeping your systems secure, compliant, and efficient. For more information, check out our official blog post on toggling system audio when recording in Snipping Tool, linked in the description below.