How to take a screenshot on Windows 11

2 min read · 5 steps · Updated 2 October 2026

Windows 11 has a built-in screenshot tool called Snipping Tool. You do not need to install anything. There are three shortcuts worth knowing, and they cover almost every situation.

The pictures below are diagrams of the keys to press.

Step by step

1. Press Windows + Shift + S

   The screen dims and a small bar appears at the top. This works in any app.

   Done

2. Choose a shape and drag

   The bar offers rectangle, freeform, window and full screen. Rectangle is the usual choice: hold the mouse button, drag across the area and let go.

   Done

3. Find your screenshot

   The picture is copied, so you can paste it into a chat, email or document with Ctrl + V. Windows also saves it automatically in Pictures, Screenshots. Click the notification that appears to crop it or draw on it.

   Done

4. Save the whole screen in one step

   Press Windows + PrtSc. The screen flashes dark for a moment and the picture is saved as a file in Pictures, Screenshots. On many laptops the key is labelled PrtSc or PrtScn, and you may need to hold Fn as well.

   Done

5. Capture only the active window

   Press Alt + PrtSc to copy just the window you are working in. Then paste it where you need it.

   Done

Good to know

To record a video of the screen, open Snipping Tool from the Start menu and switch from the camera icon to the video icon.

If the PrtSc key does not open the snipping bar, go to Settings, Accessibility, Keyboard and switch on "Use the Print screen key to open screen capture".

Need to send several screenshots as one file? Our free tool turns images into a single PDF: JPG to PDF.

In short: Windows + Shift + S for part of the screen, Windows + PrtSc for all of it, Alt + PrtSc for one window.