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Screen recording not saved

Anonymous
2025-01-07T17:41:23+00:00

Hi, I did a screen recording on my Lenovo for 4h and it didn't save anywhere. I read online that it clearly was longer than the limit allowed but I was wondering if there is any way to recover that 4h recording or if it just got automatically cancelled

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Recovery and backup

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  1. Anonymous
    2025-01-14T06:22:48+00:00

    Hi Welcome to Microsoft community.If you've experienced an issue where your screen recording didn't save after a 4-hour session on a Lenovo laptop running Windows 11, here are some steps and explanations to consider:

    1. Recording Duration Limit:
      • Windows 11's built-in screen recording feature does have a limit on recording duration. Typically, this limit is around four hours. If you exceed this limit, the recording might automatically stop or fail to save.
    2. Check for Saved Files:
      • Even if you think the recording didn't save, check the default save location:
        • Videos folder > Captures. Look for any large video files from around the time you did the recording. Sometimes, files might start saving but not appear immediately due to processing time.
    3. Disk Space:
      • Ensure your disk has enough free space. If you run out of space during recording, it might not save properly. Check your available storage under This PC.
    4. File Recovery:
      • Sometimes, if a file wasn't saved correctly, it might end up in the Recycle Bin. Check there for any video files.
      • If you're certain the file was saved but can't find it, you might try using data recovery software. These tools can scan and attempt to recover deleted files, though recovery isn't guaranteed, especially if the file wasn't fully written to the disk.
    5. Temporary Files:
      • Look in the temporary files directory. Sometimes, recordings might be temporarily stored here before they are moved to the final location:
        • C:\Users[YourUsername]\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.XboxGamingOverlay_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalCache\TempState
    6. Software Limitations:
      • If you were using the Xbox Game Bar, remember this tool is primarily designed for shorter gaming clips. For longer recordings, third-party software might be more reliable as they offer more control over recording parameters and stability.

    Unfortunately, if the recording was not saved due to hitting the time limit or another system issue, recovery might not be possible unless some partial data was written to the disk. For future recordings, especially long ones:

    • Consider using dedicated screen recording software which doesn't have such strict duration limits and offers better reliability.
    • Keep an eye on available disk space, system performance, and ensure that your laptop isn't overheating or running into other hardware issues during long tasks.

    Best regardsDerrick Qian | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

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