Screenshots have become an integral part of our daily life. Be it for work or social media, screenshots can be used to share information of various kinds. From new features showing up in software and apps to various bugs, in-game screenshots, or even sharing information that might be deleted sooner than expected. You can take screenshots on almost any device, be it PC, Xbox, PlayStation, Mobile devices, and the Nintendo Switch. Windows 11 is the new OS for Windows PC. Let’s take a look at how to take screenshot in Windows 11.
There are quite a few ways to capture screenshot in Windows 11 without having to make use of any other third-party apps or software. Also, on some methods, you get to choose the image format when you want to save the screenshot. There are two main ways in which you can use to take screenshots, the use of keyboard combinations and software that is available within the operating system itself. Read along to know different ways to capture screenshot in Windows 11.
How to Take Screenshot in Windows 11 (with Keyboard Shortcuts)
There are different shortcut key combos that you can use to capture Windows 11 screenshot. We will also share some good softwares used for Windows 11 screenshots, but first, let’s check out Windows 11 Screenshot shortcuts.
Use the PrtSc key
You will find this key at the top row of the keyboard. The key position may vary as per your PC model. To capture a screenshot in Windows 11, simply press the PrtSc button once. Now to view and save the screenshot, simply open up Microsoft Paint. And paste the screenshot into it by pressing the Ctrl and the letter V key. You can now save the screenshot in any format that you wish to. This may not work on some PC, and if it is the case with your PC, check the next method to take a screenshot in Windows 11.
Use the Alt and PrtSc key
If you wish to take the screenshot of only the active window on your screen, you can do this by pressing Alt and PrtScn buttons at the same time. Now to view and save the Windows 11 screenshot, simply open up Microsoft Paint. And paste the screenshot into it by pressing the Ctrl and the letter V key. You can now save the screenshot in any format like png or jpg. Or if you want to share it with someone, then you can also directly paste it there without the need of saving it.
Use the Windows Key and PrtSc key
Another Windows 11 screenshot shortcut is the combination of Windows + PrtSc keys. This key combination will capture a screenshot of your desktop, regardless of active or inactive windows. The only difference between using this method and the other methods is that you don’t need to save the screenshot manually. The system will automatically save your screenshots to the system under the pictures library in a folder called Screenshots. By default images are saved in a .png format.
Use the Function key and the PrtSc key
Now, this is an alternate method if using the PrtScn key alone doesn’t do anything. Some keyboards might require you to use the Function key (Fn) along with the PrtSc key. Like for example to reduce the system volume, you might have to press the Fn key and along with any of the Function keys that have the volume icon.
Let’s say if the lower volume function is the F11 key, you will have to press the Fn + F11 keys. So, the same goes for taking screenshots in Windows 11. Press the Fn + PrtScn key combo. Now to view and save the screenshot, simply open up Microsoft Paint. And paste the screenshot into it by pressing the Ctrl and the letter V key. You can now save the screenshot in any format in any folder you want.
How to Take Screenshot in Windows 11 (with in-built software)
In case if you are not using a keyboard or the required keys are not working, don’t worry we have few more methods to go which you will find in this section. You can use some popular applications to take Windows 11 screenshots. And the best thing is you don’t even need to install any third-party application for capturing a screenshot in Windows 11.
Use the Snip and Sketch Tool
You don’t need to make use of any third-party screen capture software for Windows 11 when Microsoft provides you the best tools to capture screenshots. With the Snip and Sketch tool, you can easily capture any part of the screen that you like. You can find the app in the Start Menu or you can use the shortcut key combination to open it by pressing the Windows Key + Shift key + S key. You can now select any part of the screen and it will be saved to the clipboard.
Simply tap on the notification (it will show up after snip) and it will open up the app. Here, you can make various changes to the image. Add text, highlight, erase or even crop the image. The Snip and Sketch tool has four snip options, Freeform Snip, Rectangular Snip, Window Snip, and Fullscreen Snip. Once you have made changes to the snip you can choose to save the image and the type of image format as well.
Alternative Method to open Snip and Sketch
With Windows 11, Snip and Sketch will be replacing the Snipping Tool. And to have super quick access to the app, you can now easily set the PrntScn button to open Snip and Sketch. To enable it in Windows 11, do the following.
- Open the Settings app. You can find it in the Start menu or simply search it as well.
- Click on the Accessibility tab and scroll till you find Interactions.
- Select Keyboard.
- Under the on-screen keyboard, access keys, and print Screen heading, switch the toggle to ON where it says use Print Screen button to open screen snipping.
And now, with just one button, you will be on your way taking a fullscreen capture or a custom select screenshot on your Windows 11 PC.
Use the Snipping Tool
Well, we are seeing the same note that Snipping Tool will be moving but it is still present and so we can use it as well as long as it is available. The Snipping tool performs the same function as that of Snip and Sketch. It’s just the same app with a different name that was released for earlier Windows operating systems. The only difference between the Snipping Tool and the Snip and Sketch tool is that you have a delay option in Snipping Tool. What this means is that you can configure the tool to take a screenshot after a certain time, let’s say after 2, 3, 4, or 5 seconds. Also, if you use the tool now, it says that the tool is going away and asks you to use the Snip and Sketch Tool. You can open it by searching by its name.
Use the Xbox Game Bar for Windows 11 Screenshot
With Windows 11, the Xbox suite of apps comes preinstalled. However, one of the most useful ones is the Xbox Game Bar. It has a lot of tools such as being able to screen record the game, record audio from the mic as well as capture screenshots. To open up the Xbox Game Bar, simply press the Windows key and the G key. Once done, you can then press the Capture button or use the shortcut combination Windows Key + Alt key + PrtSc key. The images will then be saved to the Videos folder on your system. This works mostly in games, but you can always make the Game Bar think of any program as a game in the settings.
Conclusion
With so many ways to take screenshots in Windows 11, the need for third-party apps seems useless. So there it is, many ways you can use to capture screenshots in Windows 11. We hope you have learned to make use of these methods and probably might have even uninstalled third-party screenshot capture apps.
That’s all on how to take screenshot in Windows 11. If we miss any popular and easy method for taking Windows 11 screenshot, then let us know in the comment section.
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