How to take a screenshot in Windows 11: All working methods

Windows 11 offers several convenient built-in tools for capturing screenshots — from instant full-screen grabs to precise selection of any part of the display. Below is a complete, up-to-date guide without unnecessary details.

1. The Fastest Method: Print Screen (PrtSc)

By default, in Windows 11 the Print Screen key no longer copies the screen to the clipboard. Instead, it automatically opens the Snipping Tool. If someone prefers the old behavior (an instant screenshot copied directly to the clipboard), they can disable the new feature by going to Settings → Accessibility → Keyboard and turning off the option that assigns Print Screen to opening the screen capture tool.

Classic combinations that always work:

• PrtSc captures the entire screen to the clipboard.
• Alt + PrtSc captures only the active window to the clipboard.
• Win + PrtSc saves a full-screen screenshot automatically to Pictures → Screenshots (this folder is created automatically).
• Win + Alt + PrtSc saves a screenshot of the active window to the same location.

On laptops, the Fn key is often required: Fn + PrtSc, Fn + Win + PrtSc, and so on.

2. The Universal Method: Win + Shift + S (Snipping Tool)

This is considered the most convenient and popular method. After pressing it, a small panel appears at the top of the screen offering four options:

• Rectangular selection
• Freeform selection
• Window capture
• Full-screen capture

The screenshot is instantly copied to the clipboard, and a small notification appears, allowing quick editing, saving, or sharing.

3. The Full Snipping Tool App

While Win + Shift + S opens a lightweight version, the full application can be opened through search or Win + W. It offers additional benefits:

• A 3/5/10-second delay (useful for menus and pop-ups)
• A built-in editor (arrows, text, blur, ruler)
• Screen recording (video + microphone audio)

Where Screenshots Are Saved

• With Win + PrtSc and Win + Alt + PrtSc, they are saved automatically to:
  C:\Users\Name\Pictures\Screenshots
• With Win + Shift + S, they remain only in the clipboard unless the user taps Save in the notification.

If the Standard Tools Aren’t Enough

• Lightshot — fast screenshots, built-in editor, instant cloud upload with shareable links.
• ShareX — a powerful free toolkit with screenshots, video recording, GIF capture, and auto-upload.
• Screenshoter (Russian) — simple, with screencast recording support.

In Short

The fastest ways in Windows 11 are:

• Win + Shift + S for instant capture of any area
• Win + PrtSc for full-screen capture with auto-save
• PrtSc when the new screen-capture behavior in settings is disabled

Everything needed is already built in, and if more advanced features are required, Lightshot or ShareX will solve the problem quickly.