How to Screenshot on Windows 11

Using the Print Screen Key for Full Screen Screenshots

One of the easiest ways to take a screenshot on Windows 11 is by using the Print Screen (PrtScn) key on your keyboard. This key captures the entire screen and copies it to the clipboard, allowing you to paste it into an image editor or other application.

To take a full-screen screenshot on Windows 11 using the Print Screen key, simply follow these steps:

1. Ensure that the content you want to capture is displayed on your screen.
2. Press the Print Screen (PrtScn) key on your keyboard. On some keyboards, this key may be labeled as “PrtScn” or “Print Screen SysRq.”
3. Open an image editor or other application and press Ctrl + V to paste the screenshot from the clipboard.
4. Save the screenshot as an image file (e.g., JPEG, PNG) if you want to keep it for future reference.

Note that the Print Screen key captures the entire screen, including any taskbars, desktop icons, or open windows. If you want to capture a specific window or area of the screen, you’ll need to use a different method, such as the Windows Snipping Tool or the Windows + Shift + S shortcut.

Capturing a Specific Window or Area on Windows 11

Sometimes you may not want to capture the entire screen but only a specific window or area. Windows 11 offers several options for capturing specific windows or areas of the screen, including the Windows Snipping Tool and the Windows + Shift + S shortcut.

Here’s how to capture a specific window on Windows 11 using the Snipping Tool:

1. Open the Snipping Tool. You can do this by typing “snipping tool” into the search bar on the taskbar or by pressing the Windows key and typing “snipping tool” into the Start menu search bar.
2. Click on the “New” button to start a new snip.
3. Click and drag your cursor around the window you want to capture. You can adjust the size and shape of the snip as needed.
4. Save the snip as an image file if you want to keep it for future reference.

Here’s how to capture a specific area on Windows 11 using the Windows + Shift + S shortcut:

1. Press the Windows key + Shift + S. This will open the Snip & Sketch tool.
2. Click and drag your cursor around the area you want to capture. You can adjust the size and shape of the snip as needed.
3. The snip will automatically be copied to your clipboard. You can then paste it into an image editor or other application and save it as an image file if you want to keep it for future reference.

Both the Snipping Tool and the Windows + Shift + S shortcut offer a variety of options for capturing specific windows or areas, including free-form snips, rectangular snips, and full-screen snips. Experiment with these tools to find the method that works best for you.

Taking a Delayed Screenshot on Windows 11

Windows 11 also allows you to take a delayed screenshot, which can be useful if you need to capture a specific moment or action on your screen, but need time to set it up. Here’s how to take a delayed screenshot on Windows 11:

1. Press the Windows key + Print Screen (PrtScn). This will capture the entire screen and save it as an image file in your Screenshots folder, but with a delay of 1-5 seconds, depending on your settings.
2. To adjust the delay time, open the Settings app and go to System > Display > Screen Capture. Under the “Print Screen shortcut” section, you can select a delay time of 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 seconds.
3. Once you’ve set the delay time, return to the content you want to capture and set it up as needed.
4. After the delay time has passed, the screenshot will be captured and saved to your Screenshots folder. You can access the folder by opening File Explorer and navigating to This PC > Pictures > Screenshots.

Note that the delayed screenshot feature only captures the entire screen, not a specific window or area. If you need to capture a specific window or area with a delay, you’ll need to use a different method, such as the Snipping Tool or the Windows + Shift + S shortcut.

Editing and Saving Screenshots on Windows 11

Once you’ve captured a screenshot on Windows 11, you may want to edit it or save it in a different format. Windows 11 offers several built-in tools for editing and saving screenshots, including the Snipping Tool and the Paint app.

Here’s how to edit and save a screenshot using the Snipping Tool:

1. Open the Snipping Tool and capture the content you want to screenshot.
2. Click the “Save Snip” button in the Snipping Tool window.
3. Choose a location to save the screenshot and give it a name.
4. Open the screenshot in an image editor or other application to edit it as needed.

Here’s how to edit and save a screenshot using the Paint app:

1. Open the screenshot in the Paint app. You can do this by right-clicking on the screenshot file and selecting “Open with > Paint.”
2. Use the editing tools in Paint to crop, resize, annotate, or add text to the screenshot as needed.
3. Save the edited screenshot as an image file (e.g., JPEG, PNG) in a location of your choice.

Windows 11 also includes the Snip & Sketch app, which allows you to annotate and share screenshots directly from the app. To access Snip & Sketch, press the Windows key + Shift + S and click the “New” button. From there, you can edit the screenshot using the app’s built-in tools and save or share it as needed.

Using Third-Party Tools for Advanced Screenshotting on Windows 11

While Windows 11 offers several built-in tools for capturing and editing screenshots, you may want to use third-party tools for more advanced screenshotting capabilities. Here are some popular third-party tools for capturing and editing screenshots on Windows 11:

1. Greenshot: A free and open-source screenshot tool that allows you to capture screenshots of specific windows or areas, add annotations, and save or share the screenshots in a variety of formats.

2. Lightshot: A free screenshot tool that allows you to capture screenshots of specific windows or areas, add annotations, and share the screenshots online.

3. Snagit: A paid screenshot tool that offers advanced editing and annotation features, as well as the ability to capture scrolling windows, video recordings, and more.

4. ShareX: A free and open-source screenshot tool that allows you to capture screenshots of specific windows or areas, add annotations, and automate the process of saving and sharing the screenshots.

5. PicPick: A free screenshot tool that offers a variety of capture modes, including full screen, window, scrolling window, and region, as well as editing and annotation features.

When choosing a third-party screenshot tool, consider your specific needs and preferences, as well as the tool’s features, pricing, and user reviews.