To screenshot part of your Windows 11 screen, press Windows + Shift + S, choose a capture mode, and select the area. Use Windows + Print Screen to save the full screen automatically, or Alt + Print Screen to copy the active window.
Windows 11 screenshot shortcuts at a glance
| What you want to capture | Shortcut or method | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| A selected area, window, or screen | Windows + Shift + S | Opens the Snipping Tool overlay and copies the capture to the clipboard. |
| The entire screen to the clipboard | Print Screen | Copies the image; it does not automatically save a file. |
| The active window to the clipboard | Alt + Print Screen | Copies only the active window. |
| The entire screen as a file | Windows + Print Screen | Saves the image in Pictures > Screenshots. |
| A rectangular video recording | Windows + Shift + R | Opens Snipping Tool’s recording mode. |
1. Capture part of the screen with Windows + Shift + S
This is a useful Windows 11 screenshot method when you want to choose exactly what to capture.
- Press Windows + Shift + S.
- Wait for the screen to darken and the Snipping Tool overlay to appear.
- Choose a capture mode: Rectangle, Window, Full screen, or Freeform.
- For Rectangle or Freeform, click and drag around the content you want.
- For Window, select the window. For Full screen, the screen is captured immediately.
Windows copies the capture to the clipboard and displays a notification. Select the notification to open the image in Snipping Tool, where you can edit or save it.
Choosing the right snip mode
- Rectangle: Select a section of a webpage, app, or document.
- Freeform: Draw an irregular outline around the content.
- Window: Capture a complete app window.
- Full screen: Capture everything visible on the display.
2. Take a screenshot with the Snipping Tool app
Open the app when you want to use options such as a delay or editing tools.
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- Select Start.
- Type Snipping Tool.
- Select Snipping Tool from the search results.
- Select Snipping Mode or Mode, depending on the wording shown in your version.
- Choose the capture type, then select New.
- Select the screen area or window.
When the capture opens, select Save Snip or Save as. In the Save As dialog, choose a filename, location, and file type, then select Save.
3. Capture the entire screen with Print Screen
Press Print Screen. The key may be labeled PrtSc, PrtScn, or PrntScrn.
This shortcut copies an image of the entire screen to the clipboard; it does not automatically create an image file. Open an app such as Paint, Word, or an email, then press Ctrl + V to paste the screenshot.
4. Screenshot only the active window
To capture just the active window:
- Click the window to make it active.
- Press Alt + Print Screen.
- Open Paint, Word, an email, or another compatible app.
- Press Ctrl + V.
This method copies the active window rather than saving it directly to a folder.
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5. Save a full-screen screenshot automatically
Press Windows + Print Screen. Windows captures the entire screen and saves the image automatically.
To find it, open File Explorer, select Pictures in the navigation pane, then select Screenshots.
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On applicable devices without a physical Print Screen key, Microsoft documents Fn + Windows + Space Bar as a screenshot shortcut. Keyboard layouts vary, so check the manufacturer’s documentation if it does not work.
6. Capture a menu or other temporary onscreen item
Menus and pop-up controls can close when you click or use a normal screenshot shortcut. Snipping Tool’s menu capture and delay options can help capture them while they are open.
Use the menu-capture shortcut
- Open Snipping Tool from Start.
- Open the menu you want to capture.
- Press Ctrl + PrtSc.
- Select Mode and choose the required snip type.
- Select the capture area. The screen turns gray during selection, while the open menu remains part of the capture.
Use a timed delay
- Open Snipping Tool.
- Select Delay.
- Choose a delay from 1 to 5 seconds.
- Select Mode to start the countdown.
- Open or position the menu, tooltip, or other temporary interface before the delay expires.
- When the screen turns gray, select the capture area.
7. Edit, copy, and print a screenshot
When a snip is open in Snipping Tool, its toolbar includes tools such as:
- Pen and Highlighter for marking details.
- Shapes for adding visual callouts.
- Eraser for removing annotations.
- Image crop for trimming the capture.
- Text actions for working with text in the image.
- Undo and Redo for reversing or restoring edits.
Use Ctrl + C to copy the open snip or Ctrl + S to save it. To print it, select File > Print.
8. Record part of the screen as video
Snipping Tool can record a rectangular area of the Windows 11 desktop.
- Open Snipping Tool, or press Windows + Shift + R.
- Select Record.
- Select New.
- Drag over the area you want to record.
- Select Start.
- Select Stop when finished.
After recording, you can save the video as it is or select Edit in Clipchamp for further editing.
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Windows 11 features available on newer hardware
On Windows 11 Copilot+ PCs, Snipping Tool includes Perfect screenshot, which tightens a selected capture around visible content, and Color picker, which captures a color value from the screen and copies it to the clipboard.
Microsoft’s Click to Do integration requires Snipping Tool version 11.2411.20.0 or later. If a feature is missing, update Snipping Tool through the Microsoft Store and check whether the PC meets the hardware requirements.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Common screenshot problems
Print Screen appears to do nothing
Standalone Print Screen copies the image to the clipboard rather than necessarily saving a file or opening an editor. Open Paint or another app and press Ctrl + V. If Windows shows a Snipping Tool notification, select it to open the capture.
Print Screen does not save the image
Use Windows + Print Screen instead, then check Pictures > Screenshots. Standalone Print Screen and the automatic-save shortcut behave differently.
The browser URL appears in the screenshot
Snipping Tool includes an Include URL below snips (HTML only) option under Options. This applies when a snip is saved as an HTML file; it is not a general setting that adds a URL to ordinary image screenshots.
An old guide says to use Snip & Sketch
Current Windows 11 instructions use the Snipping Tool app and the Windows + Shift + S overlay. Guides built around the separate “Snip & Sketch” name describe an older workflow.
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FAQ
What is the fastest way to screenshot a selected area in Windows 11?
Press Windows + Shift + S, choose Rectangle or Freeform, and drag over the area. The capture is copied to the clipboard and can be opened from the notification.
Where are Windows 11 screenshots saved?
Screenshots taken with Windows + Print Screen are saved in Pictures > Screenshots. Captures made with Snipping Tool can be saved from the app.
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On applicable devices, use Fn + Windows + Space Bar. You can also use Windows + Shift + S, which does not require a Print Screen key.
How do I screenshot just one window?
Click the window to make it active, then press Alt + Print Screen. Paste the result with Ctrl + V.
Can Snipping Tool record video?
Yes. Open Snipping Tool, select Record, choose New, select a rectangular area, and select Start. The shortcut is Windows + Shift + R.
The Bottom Line
For most Windows 11 screenshots, use Windows + Shift + S. Use Windows + Print Screen for an automatically saved full-screen image, Alt + Print Screen for the active window, and Snipping Tool’s delay when you need to capture a menu or other temporary interface.
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