To take a screenshot on Windows 11, the primary and easiest method is to use the built-in Snipping Tool, which can be accessed quickly by pressing the keyboard shortcut:
- Windows key + Shift + S : This will dim the screen and open a small panel at the top with options to take a rectangular, freeform, window, or full-screen screenshot. The screenshot is then copied to the clipboard, and a notification appears to open it for editing, saving, or sharing. You can paste the screenshot into any app using Ctrl + V.
Other popular methods include:
- Windows key + Print Screen (PrtScn) : This takes a full-screen screenshot, saves it directly to the "Screenshots" folder in the Pictures library, and also copies it to the clipboard.
- Print Screen (PrtScn) key alone : Opens the Snipping Tool by default in Windows 11, allowing you to select an area to capture.
- Alt + Print Screen (PrtScn) : Captures only the active window and copies it to the clipboard for pasting elsewhere.
The Snipping Tool also allows annotation and editing after taking the screenshot, adding convenience without needing extra apps.
Summary of Key Shortcuts:
Shortcut| Function
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Windows + Shift + S| Open Snipping Tool for snip selection
Windows + PrtScn| Capture full screen, save file + copy clip
PrtScn| Open Snipping Tool (for area selection)
Alt + PrtScn| Capture active window to clipboard
This provides versatile options for capturing any screenshot in Windows 11 efficiently.
