No more Stereo Mix or VB-Cable: record Windows audio in your browser
Updated October 10, 2026
To record your computer’s sound on Windows without Stereo Mix or VB-Cable, open RecordOnWeb in Chrome or Edge, choose Computer sound, and press Record. When the browser asks what to share, click any screen, keep “Also share system audio” on, and click Share. The sound is saved to your computer as an M4A file. It works on Windows 10 and 11, even if your PC has no Stereo Mix, and there is no driver to install.
Open the recorderWhy Stereo Mix is missing
Stereo Mix is a recording input that some sound drivers, most often Realtek’s, add to Windows. It records whatever your speakers play. But it’s usually turned off and hidden, and many PCs, especially laptops, don’t have it at all because their sound driver doesn’t include it. That’s why people end up installing VB-Cable, a virtual audio driver.
Turning on Stereo Mix, if your PC has it
- Open the Sound control panel and go to the Recording tab. In Windows 11, it’s under Settings → System → Sound → More sound settings.
- Right-click the list and choose Show Disabled Devices. Then right-click Stereo Mix and choose Enable.
- Pick Stereo Mix as the input in your recording app. If it never shows up, your sound driver doesn’t have it.
What the VB-Cable setup takes
- Install the VB-Cable driver as an administrator, then restart your PC.
- Set CABLE Input as your playback device, and pick CABLE Output as the input in your recording app.
- Now you can’t hear anything, so turn on “Listen to this device” for CABLE Output. When you’re done, switch everything back.
The RecordOnWeb way
- Open recordonweb.com in Chrome or Edge.
- Choose Sound, then Computer sound. Choose Both to add your mic in the same file.
- Press Record. Your browser asks what to share: click any screen, keep “Also share system audio” on, and click Share.
- Press Stop. Trim if you like, and the M4A file is saved to your computer.
Your speakers or headphones stay as they are, so you hear everything while you record, and your sound settings don’t change. Want video too? Choose Screen to record your screen with sound as an MP4.
Stereo Mix, VB-Cable, or RecordOnWeb?
| Stereo Mix | VB-Cable | RecordOnWeb | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What to install | Nothing, if your sound driver has it | A virtual audio driver, then restart | Nothing. Runs in Chrome or Edge |
| Works on every PC | No, only with some sound drivers | Yes | Yes, on Windows 10 and 11 |
| Change your sound settings | Yes, enable a hidden device | Yes, switch your playback device | No |
| Hear the sound while recording | Yes | Only with “Listen to this device” | Yes |
| Mic and computer sound in one file | Needs extra setup | Needs extra setup | Yes, choose Both |
| Screen recording | With another app | With another app | Yes |
| Price | Free | Donationware | Free |
Apps like Audacity (with its Windows WASAPI loopback input) and OBS Studio can also record computer sound without Stereo Mix, but you have to install and set them up.
When you still need VB-Cable
- You want to send one app’s sound into another app live, for example into a video call, a DAW, or streaming software. That’s routing, not recording, and VB-Cable is built for it.
- You want to record a single desktop app’s sound by itself. RecordOnWeb records everything you hear, or the sound of one browser tab.
If you just want to record what you hear, you don’t need it.
On a Mac?
You don’t need BlackHole 2ch either. Read how to record computer audio without BlackHole 2ch.
FAQ
Why can’t I find Stereo Mix in Windows 11?
Stereo Mix comes from your sound driver, not from Windows. It may be turned off and hidden (in the Recording tab of the Sound control panel, right-click and choose Show Disabled Devices), or your driver may not include it at all. RecordOnWeb doesn’t need it.
Do I need to uninstall VB-Cable?
No. They don’t affect each other. Just set your playback device back to your speakers or headphones.
Can I record the sound of just one app?
If it plays in a browser tab, yes. In the share window, pick that tab instead of a screen, and only its sound is recorded. For a desktop app, RecordOnWeb records everything you hear, so mute other sounds first.
Why does the browser ask to share my screen when I only want sound?
Browsers only allow computer sound through screen sharing, for your privacy. In Sound mode, only the sound is saved and the picture is ignored.
Is it free? Is my audio uploaded?
It’s free, and recordings are saved straight to your computer. They’re never uploaded.