Windows 11 promotes Snipping Tool and Microsoft Clipchamp while removing Steps Recorder

Microsoft has recently announced a Windows 11 update, signaling the end of the road for the popular Steps Recorder app. This shift follows the decision to discontinue the WordPad and Windows speech recognition features in Windows 11.

For those unfamiliar with Steps Recorder, it was initially bundled with Windows 7 and served as a valuable tool for identifying and resolving software issues by recording the steps leading up to the problem.

Despite having moved beyond its original purpose and found new life as a straightforward screen recording tool in Windows, Microsoft has confirmed that the legacy functionality is being phased out. This change is reflected in a recent update made available to Canary users, which includes an alert within the Steps Recorder app, notifying users of the upcoming discontinuation.

The alert directs users to support documentation on Microsoft’s website, explaining the rationale behind the app’s removal. According to Microsoft, this action is part of an ongoing effort to enhance and evolve the Windows user experience.

The official announcement specifies that the upcoming Windows 11 Moment 5, scheduled for release in early 2024, will introduce a new banner notification within Steps Recorder, guiding users towards alternative recording tools. Microsoft encourages individuals to explore modern alternatives like Snipping Tool and Clipchamp for screen capture and editing, as well as leverage the built-in Game Bar activated by the Win + G keyboard shortcut.

While these modern alternatives offer enhanced functionality, some users still prefer the simplicity of Steps Recorder. Despite its source code being available within the C:\Windows\System32 folder, manually saving the .exe file is unlikely to ensure its future functionality. Microsoft clarified that Windows 10 will retain support for Steps Recorder without the inclusion of a banner, in contrast to Windows 11.

Overall, this decision marks the end of an era for Steps Recorder and signals a shift towards more modern screen recording and editing solutions in the Windows ecosystem.