How to stop Print Screen opening Snipping Tool on Windows 11

howtosimply.com/guides/how-to-stop-print-screen-opening-snipping-tool-on-windows-11/ · Checked October 2026 · Windows 11 Enterprise 25H2 (build 26200.9457), Microsoft Cloud PC

4 of 5 steps with real screenshots · 2 official sources below

Device

Windows

Shown on

Windows 11 Enterprise 25H2 (build 26200.9457), Microsoft Cloud PC

App

Settings

Path

Settings › Bluetooth & devices › Keyboard

Real screenshots

4 of 5 steps

Checked

October 2026

Sources

2 official, 1 other, linked below

Step by step

1. 

   Open the Keyboard settings

   Open Start, Settings, Bluetooth & devices, then Keyboard. Or type keyboard into the search box at the top of Settings.

   Done

2. 

   Find the Print screen switch

   Scroll down to the Shortcuts and hotkeys heading. Use the Print screen key to open screen capture is the last row in that group. In the picture it sits just above Related settings; the step 3 picture shows Customize Copilot key on keyboard directly above it.

   On our Cloud PC it was On.

   Done

3. 

   Switch it off

   Click the switch so it reads Off.

   Done

4. 

   Test the key

   Press PrtSc. The Snipping Tool bar no longer opens; the whole screen goes to the clipboard instead.

   Paste it into Paint, a chat or a document with Ctrl + V. On our Cloud PC it pasted into Paint as a 2880 x 1364px image.

   Done

5. Cannot find it under Bluetooth & devices?

   On older versions of Windows 11 the same switch is in Settings, Accessibility, Keyboard. A Microsoft support answer on Microsoft Q&A gives that path.

   Done

If you do not see this option

• The switch has a slightly different name Microsoft's keyboard shortcuts page calls it Use the Print Screen button to open screen snipping, under Settings, Accessibility, Keyboard. Ours reads Use the Print screen key to open screen capture. Source: Keyboard shortcuts in Windows
• You only see the repeat delay and repeat rate settings Scroll further down. On our Cloud PC the Shortcuts and hotkeys heading comes after Keyboard character repeat rate, and the Print screen row sits below Customize Copilot key on keyboard.
• Your PC runs Windows 10 Microsoft says there the setting is under Settings, Ease of Access, Keyboard, as the toggle under Print Screen shortcut. PrtScn copies the whole screen unless that toggle is on. Sources: Changing the function of the Print Screen button, Use Snipping Tool to capture screenshots, Keyboard shortcuts in Windows

If this does not work

• You only want one window Microsoft says Alt + PrtScn captures the active window and copies it to the clipboard. Sources: Changing the function of the Print Screen button, Use Snipping Tool to capture screenshots, Keyboard shortcuts in Windows
• You want to pick an area straight away Microsoft's support answer on Q&A suggests Windows + Shift + S, which opens the capture overlay without the PrtSc key. Source: Changing the function of the Print Screen button
• PrtSc still opens Snipping Tool after you switch it off On Microsoft Q&A one user reports exactly this; another says switching off the same option under Settings, Accessibility, Keyboard seemed to fix it. Check both places. Source: Changing the function of the Print Screen button
• Pressing PrtSc seems to do nothing That is expected with the switch off. Microsoft says PrtSc places a snapshot of the entire screen in your clipboard; paste it with Ctrl + V. Sources: Changing the function of the Print Screen button, Use Snipping Tool to capture screenshots, Keyboard shortcuts in Windows

About this guide

On current Windows 11, the PrtSc key opens the Snipping Tool bar instead of copying the screen. If you prefer the old way, or another screenshot app should get the key, one switch changes it back. On our Cloud PC the switch is under Bluetooth & devices; older versions of Windows 11 had it under Accessibility.

The screenshots are our own, taken on Windows 11 Enterprise 25H2 running as a Microsoft Cloud PC, a Windows PC that runs in the cloud.

Good to know

Windows + PrtSc still saves the whole screen as a file in Pictures, Screenshots, whatever this switch says.

All the screenshot shortcuts: how to take a screenshot on Windows 11.

In short: Settings, Bluetooth & devices, Keyboard, switch off Use the Print screen key to open screen capture. PrtSc then copies the screen; paste with Ctrl + V.

📷 Camera Lab: the same 6 scenes photographed with 11 phones, side by side.