Open Voice Recorder in Windows 10: 7 Ways

You can open the Voice Recorder app in Windows 10 by searching for it in the Start menu, using Cortana, or launching it from the Start menu’s app list. The quickest method is to press the Windows key, type Voice Recorder, and press Enter. This article covers all the built-in ways to launch the app, plus tips for pinning it and troubleshooting common startup issues.

What Is the Windows 10 Voice Recorder App?

The Voice Recorder app (formerly called Sound Recorder) is a free, built-in utility in Windows 10 for capturing audio from your microphone. It saves recordings in the M4A format (MPEG-4 audio) and stores them in the Sound recordings folder inside your user’s Documents folder. The app is simple: a large red button to record, a list of recordings, and basic playback/trimming tools. It does not offer advanced editing or noise reduction, but it is perfectly fine for quick voice memos, lectures, or interviews.

Method 1: Start Menu Search (Fastest)

Press the Windows key on your keyboard or click the Start button.
Simply type Voice Recorder – you don’t need to click a search box first.
When the app icon appears in the search results, click it or press Enter.

This method works from anywhere, even if you are in the middle of another app. If you have used the app before, it will appear under Recent in the search results, making it even faster.

Method 2: Start Menu App List

Click the Start button.
Scroll through the alphabetical list of apps until you reach V.
Click the Voice Recorder folder or icon (it may be inside a folder named Windows Accessories or Voice Recorder).

This method is useful if you prefer browsing rather than typing. The app is not in a subfolder by default – it usually appears as a standalone entry under “V”.

Method 3: Cortana Voice Command

If you have Cortana enabled, you can simply say:

“Hey Cortana, open Voice Recorder.”
Or click the Cortana icon in the taskbar and type the same command.

Cortana will launch the app for you. This method is handy when your hands are busy or you are using a device with a microphone (which you obviously have, since you want to record audio).

Method 4: Run Dialog

Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog.
Type ms-settings:appsfeatures (this opens the Apps & features settings page) – but that doesn’t directly open the app.

Actually, there is no direct Run command for Voice Recorder. The app is a UWP (Universal Windows Platform) app, so it doesn’t have a simple executable name like notepad.exe. However, you can use the Run dialog to open the folder where the app is installed, but that’s more complicated than just searching. The Run dialog is not a practical method for this app – stick with the Start menu search.

Method 5: Pin Voice Recorder for One-Click Access

If you use Voice Recorder frequently, pin it to your taskbar or Start menu:

Right-click the app icon in the Start menu search results and choose Pin to taskbar or Pin to Start.
Once pinned, you can open it with a single click – no searching needed.

This is the best long-term solution if you record audio daily, such as for meetings or voice notes.

Method 6: Create a Desktop Shortcut

For a shortcut on your desktop, you need to use the app’s Application User Model ID (AUMID). This is a bit technical, but it works:

Right-click on your desktop and choose New → Shortcut.
In the location field, paste this (you can copy it from here):
explorer.exe shell:AppsFolder\Microsoft.WindowsSoundRecorder_8wekyb3d8bbwe!App
Click Next, name it “Voice Recorder”, and click Finish.

Double-clicking the shortcut will open the app. This is a neat trick if you prefer desktop icons over taskbar pins.

Method 7: Use File Explorer to Launch the App

You can also launch the app from its installation folder, though this is rarely needed:

Open File Explorer and paste this into the address bar:
shell:AppsFolder\Microsoft.WindowsSoundRecorder_8wekyb3d8bbwe!App
Press Enter – the app will open.

This method is essentially the same as the shortcut trick, but it’s useful if you want to verify the app is installed or if you are troubleshooting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why can’t I find Voice Recorder on my Windows 10?

Voice Recorder is included with Windows 10 by default, but it can be removed if you or a system policy disabled it. Check if it appears in Settings → Apps → Apps & features. If it’s missing, you can reinstall it from the Microsoft Store by searching for “Voice Recorder” and clicking Get.

How do I record audio with Voice Recorder?

Open the app, click the large microphone button to start recording, and click the stop button when done. The recording is saved automatically and appears in the list on the left. You can rename, trim, or share it from there.

Where are Voice Recorder files stored?

Recordings are saved in your user’s Documents → Sound recordings folder. You can also access them from within the app by right-clicking a recording and choosing Open file location.

Can I change the recording format from M4A to MP3?

No, the built-in Voice Recorder only saves in M4A format. If you need MP3, you’ll have to use a third-party app or convert the file after recording using a free converter or the built-in Groove Music (which can convert in some versions, but not reliably).

Why is my recording silent or too quiet?

Check your microphone settings: right-click the speaker icon in the taskbar, choose Open Sound settings, and ensure the correct input device is selected. Also, test your mic with the “Test your microphone” feature. If the volume is low, go to Device properties → Additional device properties and adjust the levels.

Does Voice Recorder work in the background?

Yes, you can switch to another app while recording – the recording continues. However, if you lock the screen or the PC goes to sleep, the recording may stop. To avoid this, adjust your power settings to keep the PC awake during long recordings.

Common Issues and Fixes

Voice Recorder won’t open

If the app doesn’t open, try these steps in order:

Restart your PC – this fixes many temporary glitches.
Run the Windows Store Apps troubleshooter: Settings → Update & Security → Troubleshoot → Additional troubleshooters → Windows Store Apps.
Reset the app: Settings → Apps → Voice Recorder → Advanced options → Reset.
Reinstall the app from the Microsoft Store.

Voice Recorder says “No microphone found”

This usually means your mic is disabled or not properly connected. Check your privacy settings: Settings → Privacy → Microphone and ensure “Allow apps to access your microphone” is turned on, and specifically that Voice Recorder is allowed. Also, check if the mic is muted in the sound settings.

Recordings are missing after an update

Windows updates rarely delete files, but if your recordings are gone, check the Sound recordings folder again. If they are not there, use File Explorer to search for *.m4a on your entire drive. If you have OneDrive backup enabled, check your OneDrive folder as well.

Alternatives to Voice Recorder

If you need more features – like MP3 output, noise reduction, or transcription – consider these built-in or free alternatives:

Windows Voice Recorder – the basic built-in app we’ve covered.
Online voice recorders – many websites offer free recording directly in your browser, but they require internet and may have privacy concerns.
Audacity – a free, open-source desktop program with advanced editing, but it has a steeper learning curve.
Microsoft Word’s Dictate – if you have Word, you can use its dictation feature to record and transcribe simultaneously.

For most people, the built-in app is sufficient. But if you need to edit, convert, or transcribe, you’ll want a more powerful tool.

Tips for Better Recordings

Place your microphone close to the speaker (6–12 inches) to avoid room echo.
Use a quiet room and turn off fans or air conditioners.
If you’re recording a lecture, try placing the phone/laptop on a stable surface rather than holding it.
Test the audio level before starting the actual recording.
Keep the recording short – the app can handle long recordings, but editing a 2-hour file is tedious.

With these methods, you’ll never waste time hunting for the Voice Recorder app again. Whether you prefer keyboard shortcuts, voice commands, or a pinned icon, Windows 10 gives you several ways to start recording in seconds.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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