Audacity

Windows 11 does not have a built-in option to record internal audio directly from PC speakers. The Stereo Mix feature, which allowed easy recording of audio output, has been phased out on many modern devices. Microsoft's Voice Recorder app only captures microphone audio. Audacity, a free and open-source audio editor, can be used to record internal audio by configuring it to use the Windows WASAPI audio API with a loopback function. This method captures the digital audio stream without quality loss. To record internal audio with Audacity, users need to download and install the software, set the audio host to Windows WASAPI, select the appropriate loopback device, set recording channels to stereo, and then hit record while playing the desired audio. The recorded audio can be exported in various formats such as WAV, MP3, or FLAC. If the WASAPI loopback does not work, users can try enabling Stereo Mix if available or using a virtual audio cable like VB-CABLE. Tips for cleaner recordings include setting the project rate to 44100 Hz or 48000 Hz, disabling audio enhancements, and closing distracting applications. Common issues include no audio recorded, loopback devices not showing up, distorted sound, low volume, and microphone access denial, which can usually be resolved through settings adjustments or driver updates.