How to Take a Screenshot on Windows 11 (Keyboard Shortcuts, Snipping Tool and Fixes)

If you want to know how to take a screenshot on Windows 11, the short answer is: press Windows + Shift + S to capture any part of the screen, or Windows + Print Screen to save the whole screen as a file. Windows 11 has several other built-in methods too, and each one behaves a little differently: some save a file, some only copy the image so you can paste it. This guide explains every method, where the files end up, how to record a video of your screen, and what to check when the keys seem to do nothing.

This is an independent guide, not affiliated with Microsoft. Everything below uses tools that are already part of Windows 11, so you do not need to download a screenshot app.

Quick reference: Windows 11 screenshot shortcuts

Shortcut	What it captures	Where it goes
Windows + Shift + S	Rectangle, window, free-form area or full screen (you choose)	Clipboard; recent Snipping Tool versions also save a file
Windows + Print Screen	Whole screen (all monitors)	Saved as a PNG in Pictures\Screenshots, and copied to the clipboard
Print Screen	Opens the capture bar by default on current Windows 11; otherwise the whole screen	Clipboard (and Snipping Tool’s save folder if it opens)
Alt + Print Screen	The active window only	Clipboard
Windows + Alt + Print Screen	The active window, through Game Bar	Saved in Videos\Captures

On keyboards the key may be labelled PrtScn, PrtSc, Prt Sc or Print Screen.

Method 1: Windows + Shift + S (capture any part of the screen)

This is the most useful shortcut for most people because it lets you choose exactly what to capture.

1. Press Windows + Shift + S. The screen dims and a small toolbar appears at the top.
2. Choose a mode: Rectangle, Window, Full screen or Freeform.
3. Drag across the area you want (or click a window, in Window mode).
4. The capture is copied to the clipboard. Press Ctrl + V to paste it into an email, a Word document, a chat or an image editor.
5. A notification also appears in the corner. Click it to open the capture in Snipping Tool, where you can crop it, draw on it, highlight text and save it with Ctrl + S.

In recent versions of Snipping Tool, captures are also saved automatically to Pictures\Screenshots. If you do not want that, open Snipping Tool, click the See more menu (three dots) and choose Settings, where you can turn automatic saving off or change other options.

Method 2: Windows + Print Screen (save the full screen as a file)

Press Windows + Print Screen. The screen dims for a moment, which tells you the screenshot was taken. Windows saves it as a PNG file in Pictures\Screenshots and also copies it to the clipboard. Files are numbered automatically, for example “Screenshot (1).png”.

If you use OneDrive and it backs up your Pictures folder, the Screenshots folder will be inside your OneDrive folder instead, for example OneDrive\Pictures\Screenshots. If you have more than one monitor, this shortcut captures all of them in one wide image.

Method 3: The Print Screen key on its own

On current Windows 11, pressing Print Screen by itself opens the same capture toolbar as Windows + Shift + S. This is the default on new installations and recent updates. On older setups, or if the option has been turned off, Print Screen silently copies the entire screen to the clipboard and nothing appears to happen until you paste.

To choose the behaviour you prefer:

1. Open Settings (Windows + I).
2. Go to Accessibility > Keyboard.
3. Find the option for using the Print Screen key to open screen capture (the exact wording can vary slightly between versions; it may mention Snipping Tool).
4. Turn it On to open the capture bar, or Off to make Print Screen copy the whole screen to the clipboard. You may need to restart the PC for the change to take effect.

Method 4: Alt + Print Screen (one window only)

Click the window you want so that it is active, then press Alt + Print Screen. Only that window is copied to the clipboard, without the taskbar or other windows. Paste it with Ctrl + V. This is handy for capturing an error message box to send to someone.

If you want the window saved as a file instead, Windows + Alt + Print Screen uses the Xbox Game Bar to save the active window in Videos\Captures. It works in most apps and games, but it may not work on the desktop or in File Explorer.

Record your screen with Snipping Tool

Snipping Tool can record a video of part or all of your screen, which is often clearer than a series of screenshots when you need to show a problem.

1. Open Snipping Tool from the Start menu.
2. Switch from the camera (screenshot) icon to the video camera (Record) icon.
3. Click New, then drag to select the area you want to record.
4. Click Start. A short countdown appears before recording begins. Depending on your version, you can turn the microphone and system sound on or off in the recording toolbar.
5. Click Stop when finished. The recording opens in Snipping Tool, where you can save it as a video file.

Recent versions save recordings automatically, normally to a Screen Recordings folder inside Videos; check Snipping Tool’s Settings to see or change the location. For games, the Xbox Game Bar (Windows + G) has its own recorder that saves to Videos\Captures.

Laptops and the Fn key

On many laptops, Print Screen shares a key with another function such as Insert or End, or sits on a function key row. If pressing it does nothing:

• Hold Fn and press the Print Screen key, for example Fn + PrtScn or Fn + Windows + PrtScn.
• Some laptops have an Fn Lock (often Fn + Esc) that swaps the top-row behaviour. Toggle it and try again.
• If your keyboard has no Print Screen key at all, use Windows + Shift + S, which works on any keyboard. You can also open Snipping Tool from the Start menu and click New.

The exact key combination varies by laptop maker; the printed symbols on your keys, or the maker’s own support site, will tell you which keys share a function.

Screenshots not working? What to check

Work through these in order:

1. Check the Fn key on laptops, as described above. If letters or other keys also misbehave, see our guide to keyboard keys not working.
2. Check whether another app has taken over Print Screen. OneDrive, Dropbox and third-party screenshot tools can grab the key. Look in their settings for a screenshot option and turn it off, or close the app and test again.
3. Check the Accessibility setting for the Print Screen key (Method 3). If it is off, the screen is being copied to the clipboard silently, so try pasting with Ctrl + V.
4. Check notifications. If notifications or Do not disturb are turned off, the Snipping Tool pop-up will not appear even though the capture worked. Paste to confirm.
5. Repair or reset Snipping Tool. Go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps, find Snipping Tool, click the three dots and choose Advanced options, then try Repair, and Reset if that does not help. Our guide to reinstalling or resetting Microsoft Store apps covers this in more detail.
6. Install updates. Snipping Tool is updated through the Microsoft Store and Windows Update, and older versions lack some features described here. See keeping software updated automatically.
7. Black rectangles instead of video? Streaming services and some protected apps block screenshots of their content on purpose. That is expected behaviour, not a fault.

If saved screenshots seem to vanish, check whether OneDrive moved your Pictures folder, and make sure the drive is not full; our guide to freeing up disk space can help.

Tips for sharing screenshots safely

Before sending a screenshot, check it for personal information such as email addresses, account numbers or open browser tabs. Snipping Tool’s pen and highlighter can cover sensitive details, but cropping them out is safer. Be wary of anyone who contacts you unexpectedly and asks for screenshots of your bank account or security codes; that is a common scam tactic.

If you are taking screenshots to send details of your computer to a helper or a buyer, our guide on how to check PC specs on Windows 11 shows where to find that information. For more Windows help, browse the Windows topic hub.