How to take a screenshot on Windows 11

howtosimply.com/guides/how-to-take-a-screenshot-on-windows-11/ · Checked October 2026 · Windows 11 Enterprise 25H2 (build 26200.9457), Microsoft Cloud PC

4 of 5 steps with real screenshots · 1 official source below

Device

Windows

Shown on

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

Real screenshots

4 of 5 steps

Checked

October 2026

Sources

1 official, linked below

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

   Open the shape menu on the bar: it offers Rectangle, Window, Full screen and Freeform. 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. To crop it or draw on it, open it in Snipping Tool: the pens are along the bottom, and Save and Copy are at the top right.

   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, the folder in the screenshot. 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

About this guide

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 keyboard shortcut steps show a diagram of the keys to press.

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, Bluetooth & devices, Keyboard and switch on "Use the Print screen key to open screen capture" (on older Windows 11 builds it is under Settings, Accessibility, Keyboard). See how to change what the Print Screen key does.

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