Taking a screenshot in Windows 11 is an efficient way to record what’s on the screen, whether for work, troubleshooting, or information sharing. Windows 11 provides a variety of easy and fast methods to take screenshots. This article will explain in detail how to take a screenshot on Windows 11, including keyboard shortcuts, built-in apps, and other methods.
Screenshots are very useful in technical communication with a team or technician. With screenshots, you can visually show the problem that appears on the screen, making it easier for your team or technician to understand and provide a solution. Additionally, screenshots are also useful for documenting any errors or messages that appear, which is important when reporting technical issues to support.
Screenshots can also be used to create tutorials and presentations, making visual guides or presentation materials easier to understand. Finally, screenshots make it easy to share visual information in a work context or on social media, such as sharing screenshots from an app or game with colleagues or on social platforms.
Windows 11 offers a variety of ways to take screenshots, from keyboard shortcuts to built-in tools like the Snipping Tool and Xbox Game Bar.
1. Using the Print Screen Button (PrtScrn)
The Print Screen (PrtScrn) method is the easiest way to take screenshots in Windows 11 and has been around for a long time.
How to Use Print Screen:
- Press the PrtScrn key on your keyboard. The screenshot will be saved on the clipboard instead of as an image file automatically.
- Open an app like Paint, Word, or email, then press Ctrl + V to paste the screenshot.
- If you want to save it as an image file: Open the Paste → Paint (Ctrl + V) → Click File → Save as → Select PNG or JPG format.
Advantages of Print Screen:
- Very easy to use, just need to press one button.
- Ideal for users who want to quickly copy the screen view without saving it directly.
- It can be used on all versions of Windows, including Windows 11.
Disadvantages of Print Screen:
- It doesn’t save files automatically, so you have to manually paste the screenshot into another app.
- Can’t select a specific area, can only capture the entire screen.
- Requires additional steps if you want to save as an image file.
2. Windows Key + Print Screen (Automatic Screenshot)
This method allows users to take a screenshot of the entire view and save it automatically as an image file.
How to Use Windows Key + Print Screen:
- Press Windows Key + PrtScrn at the same time.
- The screen will flash briefly, indicating that the screenshot was successfully taken.
- Screenshot files are automatically saved in the following folder: C:\Users\[Username]\Pictures\Screenshots
- To view the screenshot, go to File Explorer → Pictures → Screenshots.
Advantages of Windows Key + Print Screen:
- Automatically save screenshots as image files without having to paste them into other apps.
- It’s quick and practical, with just the push of a single button combination.
- Image files are saved directly in PNG format, so there’s no need to save them manually.
Cons of Windows Key + Print Screen:
- Can’t select a specific part of the screen, just capture the entire screen.
- It cannot capture only one application window, in contrast to Alt + PrtScrn.
- There is no direct editing feature, so if you want to crop an image, you need to use additional apps such as Paint or Snipping Tool.
3. Alt + Print Screen (Screenshot of Active Window)
This method allows users to take a screenshot only of the active window, without capturing any other part of the screen.
How to Use Alt + Print Screen:
- Make sure that the window of the app you want to take a picture of is active.
- Press Alt + PrtScrn at the same time.
- The screenshot will be saved on the clipboard and can be pasted into applications such as:
- Paint → To save as an image file.
- Microsoft Word or PowerPoint → To add images to a document.
- Email or chat (Ctrl+V) → To share directly with colleagues or technicians.
Advantages of Alt + Print Screen:
- More focused, only capturing the active application window.
- Reduce distractions, not capture other elements such as taskbar or wallpaper.
- Suitable for documentation for specific applications, such as when you want to report errors or bugs on a single program.
Cons of Alt + Print Screen:
- It is not automatically saved as an image file, it must be pasted first in another application before it can be saved.
- It cannot select a specific area within the window, only captures the entire view of the active window.
4. Snipping Tool: Flexible and Easy to Use
Snipping Tool is a built-in application in Windows 11 that provides different modes to take screenshots with more options than other methods.
How to Use the Snipping Tool in Windows 11:
- Press Windows Key + Shift + S to open the screenshot mode directly.
- Select the type of screenshot you want:
- Rectangle Snip → Take a screenshot in the shape of a rectangle.
- Freeform Snip → Draw the area you want to capture with a freeform.
- Window Snip → Capture the display of the active application window.
- Fullscreen Snip → Capture the entire screen using Print Screen.
- The screenshot will be saved on the clipboard and can be pasted into other applications such as Paint or Word.
- To edit or save, open the Snipping Tool app to cut, annotate, or save manually.
Advantages of Snipping Tool:
- Flexible, can capture a specific part of the screen.
- Various screenshot modes are available as per the user’s needs.
- Can do basic edits such as cropping and annotation before saving.
- It has a “Delay Mode” feature that allows users to delay taking screenshots by up to 10 seconds – useful for catching dropdown menus or pop-ups that often disappear when the button is pressed.
Disadvantages of the Snipping Tool:
- It doesn’t save files automatically, users have to save them manually.
- There are no shortcuts to save a live image, in contrast to Windows Key + PrtScrn.
5. Xbox Game Bar: Alternative Methods to Take Screenshots
Xbox Game Bar is a feature present in Windows 11, designed for gamers, but also useful for taking screenshots and recording screens.
Steps to Use Xbox Game Bar for Screenshots:
- Press Windows Key + Alt + PrtScrn simultaneously to take a screenshot.
- The screenshot will be automatically saved in the following folder: C:\Users\[Username]\Videos\Captures
- To view and manage screenshots through the Xbox Game Bar interface:
- Press Windows Key + G to open the Xbox Game Bar.
- Select the Capture tab to see a list of screenshots that have been taken.
Advantages of Xbox Game Bar:
- Save screenshots automatically, without the need to manually paste them.
- Suitable for gamers, as it can be used without leaving the game.
- It has additional features, such as screen recording and game streaming.
- It can be accessed directly through the interface Xbox Game Bar (Windows Key + G).
Cons of Xbox Game Bar:
- It can only be used in desktop mode or while playing games.
- The storage folder is located in the “Videos\Captures” directory, which may not be familiar to some users.
- It doesn’t have a direct editing feature, just for capturing the screen.
With the various methods available in Windows 11, taking screenshots has become easier and more flexible. Starting from traditional methods such as Print Screen to advanced tools such as Snipping Tool, every user can find the method that best suits their needs.
By understanding these methods, you can be more efficient in capturing and sharing information from your computer screen.