• The “Windows key + PrtScrn” (PrtSc or PrtScn) shortcut is the easiest way to take screenshots on Windows 11.
  • You can also use the “Windows key + Shift + S” shortcut to take a screenshot on Windows 11 with Snipping Tool.
  • Or open Snipping Tool and click the “New” button to take a screenshot.
  • Or use the “Windows key + Print” shortcut to take a full-screen screenshot on Windows 11.

On Windows 11, you can take a screenshot of a specific region of the screen or active window in several ways (for example, using the “Windows key + PrtScrn” keyboard shortcut), but using the Snipping Tool is perhaps the best way to complete the task.

The Snipping Tool app for Windows 11 replaces the legacy “Snipping Tool” and “Snip & Sketch” apps. The new version combines the two previous applications into a modern experience that looks similar to the old Snipping Tool and integrates the best features of Snip & Sketch. (In addition, the tool even includes a feature to take screen recordings.)

The new Snipping Tool integrates with the operating system to make it easy to take screenshots without even having to open the app using the “Windows key + Shift + S” shortcut. You can even change the settings to configure the Print key to take screenshots with a single button. In the app, you can choose different screenshot modes and other settings, like the ability to add a delay before taking the screenshot. The app even provides editing tools, such as cropping and annotation options.

This guide will teach you how to use the Snipping Tool to take screenshots on Windows 11.

  • Take screenshot on Windows 11 with shortcut
  • Take screenshot on Windows 11 with hardware shortcut
  • Take screenshot on Windows 11 with Snipping Tool

Take screenshot on Windows 11 with shortcut 

To take a screenshot on Windows 11, use The “Windows key + PrtScrn” (PrtSc or PrtScn) shortcut.

When invoking the keyboard shortcut, Windows 11 will capture a screenshot of the entire screen. The capture will be saved as a “.png” file in the “Screenshots” folder inside the “Pictures” folder.

Take screenshot on Windows 11 with hardware shortcut

If you have a Surface device (such as a Surface Pro 9), press and hold the power button and press and release the volume up button to a screenshot.

Similar to using the keyboard shortcut, when invoking the hardware shortcut, the system will take a full-screen screenshot. The capture will be saved as a “.png” file in the “Screenshots” folder inside the “Pictures” folder.

Take screenshot on Windows 11 with Snipping Tool

To take a screenshot on Windows 11, use the “Windows key + Shift + S” shortcut, or use these steps:

  • Open Start on Windows 11.
  • Search for Snipping Tool and click the top result to open the app.
  • Use the “Snipping Mode” drop-down menu and select the type of screenshot to take on Windows 11 – for example, “Window mode.”
  • Rectangle mode: Drag the mouse cursor around an object to form a rectangle capture.
  • Window mode: Select a window to capture, such as a browser window or dialog box.
  • Full-screen mode: Captures the entire screen.
  • Free-form mode: Draw a free-form shape around an object.
  • (Optional) Use the Time before snip drop-down menu to choose whether to delay (none, 3, 5, or 10 seconds) the capture as you click the snipping button.
  • Click the New button.
  • Quick tip: You can use the “Windows key + Shift + S” keyboard shortcut to bring up the screenshot tools.
  • Select the region to capture, depending on the selected snipping mode.
  • (Optional) Use the Image Crop tool to crop and resize the screenshot.
  • (Optional) Use the Ballpoint pen, Highlighter, or Touch Writing tools to annotate the image.
  • Click the Save button in the top-right corner.
  • Use the “Save as type” drop-down menu to select the image format, including JPG, PNG, or GIF.
  • Click the Save button.

Alternatively, you can use the Copy button to copy the screenshot to the clipboard and paste it into a document. Or you can use the Share button to share the capture with others via email or a social app.

Open Start on Windows 11.

Search for Snipping Tool and click the top result to open the app.

Use the “Snipping Mode” drop-down menu and select the type of screenshot to take on Windows 11 – for example, “Window mode.”

  • Rectangle mode: Drag the mouse cursor around an object to form a rectangle capture.
  • Window mode: Select a window to capture, such as a browser window or dialog box.
  • Full-screen mode: Captures the entire screen.
  • Free-form mode: Draw a free-form shape around an object.

(Optional) Use the Time before snip drop-down menu to choose whether to delay (none, 3, 5, or 10 seconds) the capture as you click the snipping button.

Click the New button.

Select the region to capture, depending on the selected snipping mode.

(Optional) Use the Image Crop tool to crop and resize the screenshot.

(Optional) Use the Ballpoint pen, Highlighter, or Touch Writing tools to annotate the image.

Click the Save button in the top-right corner.

Use the “Save as type” drop-down menu to select the image format, including JPG, PNG, or GIF.

Click the Save button.

While the app is open or pinned to the Taskbar, you can also right-click the button to open another app instance or take more screenshots.

Alternatively, if you don’t want to use the app on Windows 11, you can use the “Windows key + Print” keyboard shortcut to take a screenshot of the entire screen. The image will save automatically as a “.png” file in the “Screenshots” folder inside the “Pictures” folder.

Change screenshot settings on Sipping Tool

You can also configure various settings of the Snipping Tool experience to make it a little easier to take screenshots.

Change Snipping Tool settings

To configure the Snipping Tool settings:

  • Open Start.
  • Search for Snipping Tool and click the top result to open the app.
  • Click the menu (three-dotted) button in the top-right corner and select the Settings option.
  • Change the Snipping Tool settings:
  • Auto copy to clipboard: Updates the clipboard automatically when editing the capture.
  • Save snips: Prompt you to save the screenshot when closing the app.
  • Multiple windows: Opens a new window for each image capture instead of replacing them.
  • Snip outline: Automatically adds borders to each snip. The feature also includes an option to change the color and thickness of the outline.

Once you complete the steps, the Snipping Tool will reflect your configured settings.

Open Start.

Click the menu (three-dotted) button in the top-right corner and select the Settings option.

Change the Snipping Tool settings:

  • Auto copy to clipboard: Updates the clipboard automatically when editing the capture.
  • Save snips: Prompt you to save the screenshot when closing the app.
  • Multiple windows: Opens a new window for each image capture instead of replacing them.
  • Snip outline: Automatically adds borders to each snip. The feature also includes an option to change the color and thickness of the outline.

Change Snipping Tool keyboard shortcut

To use the “Print” (Print Screen, PrtSc, or PrtScn) button instead of the Windows key combo to bring up the screenshot settings, use these steps:

  • Open Start.
  • Search for Snipping Tool and click the top result to open the app.
  • Click the menu (three-dotted) button in the top-right corner and select the Settings option.
  • Under the “Shortcut” section, click the Change in settings option for the Print Screen shortcut setting.
  • Turn on the “Use the Print screen button to open screen snipping” toggle switch.

Once you complete the steps, you can press the Print Screen button instead of the Windows key + Shift + S keyboard shortcut to quickly take a screenshot on Windows 11.

Under the “Shortcut” section, click the Change in settings option for the Print Screen shortcut setting.

Turn on the “Use the Print screen button to open screen snipping” toggle switch.