4 Easy Ways to Take a Screenshot in Windows 11

With PCs becoming permanent fixtures, we will come across information or things we want to share with others. While screen sharing is an option, it is not a practical one. So, you can instead take a screenshot on your Windows 11 device. Then, save it or share it as required. Keep reading to know how.

Before we start with the methods of taking screenshots in Windows 11, it is important to understand what type of screenshots you require. If you only want to save it for your record, a full-screen screenshot will work fine. However, if you’re sharing it with someone, you should screenshot the relevant part of the screen.

Here’s how to take every type of screenshot on Windows.

Note: Windows PC saves screenshots in the PNG format by default. You can refer to our guide for easy ways to convert a PNG screenshot to JPG in Windows.

1. Use Keyboard Shortcuts to Take a Screenshot

Certain keyboard shortcuts can be used to screenshot your entire screen at once. Both of these use the Print Screen button and can be used alternatively, which is especially helpful if you have any malfunctioning keys on your keyboard.

Keep reading to know how to use these Print Screen shortcuts to take screenshots in Windows 11.

I. Using Print Screen + Windows Key

One of the most common and easiest ways to take a screenshot on Windows 11 is by using the Windows + PrtSc (Print Screen) key. This will instantly screenshot your entire page and save it to the Screenshot folder.

However, if you want to screenshot only a part of the page, you can reconfigure the Print Screen key to open the Snipping Tool. Then, use the Snipping Tool app to take cropped screenshots. Here’s how.

Step 1: Open Settings using the Windows + I key.

Step 2: From the menu sidebar, click on Accessibility.

Step 3: Here, click on Keyboard.

Step 4: Now, turn on the toggle for ‘Use the Print screen button to open screen snipping’.

Note: You can also turn on the ‘Use the Print screen key to open Snipping Tool’ toggle, if available.

This will allow you to use the Print Screen shortcut to open the Snipping Tool and take selective screenshots.

II. Using Alt + Print Screen

Besides the traditional Print Screen option, you can also use the Alt + Print Screen shortcut to take a screenshot on Windows 11. This will also take a full-screen screenshot.

However, please note that the screenshot will not save and only copy to the clipboard. So, you must open any program, like Paint, and paste it using the Ctrl + V keys. Then, save and use the screenshot as you want.

2. Screenshot a Specific Area Using the Snipping Tool

As the name suggests, you can snip your screen to take a partial or a full-screen screenshot using the Windows Snipping Tool. It is similar to the Snip and Sketch tool in Windows 10. This can crop the excess area using the different screenshot mode options and even add an outline to the screenshot. You can also delay the Snipping Tool option from opening to take a delayed screenshot.

Note: Screenshots taken using the Snipping Tool do not automatically save. You must use the save option to save them manually.

Now, let us look at how to use the Snipping Tool to take a screenshot in Windows 11.

I. Take a Delayed Screenshot

Step 1: Go to Search and type Snipping Tool. From the search results, click on the Snipping Tool app.

Tip: Check out how to open the Snipping Tool on Windows.

Step 2: Here, click on the No delay option.

Step 3: From the drop-down menu, select the delay time.

Step 4: Then click on New.

Now, the snipping window will automatically open once the timer runs out, allowing you to take a screenshot without using the Print Screen button. 

II. Take a Full-Screen or Partial Screenshot

Step 1: Click on Search and type Snipping Tool. Open the app from the search results.

Step 2: Then, click on the Rectangle Mode option.

Step 3: From the drop-down menu, click on your desired mode.

Step 4: Then, click on New.

This will close the Snipping Tool window and open the snipping screen. If you want, use the Snipping Tool shortcut to take a cropped or full screenshot. Here’s how.

Step 1: Use the Windows + Shift + S shortcut to open the Snipping Tool.

Step 2: Here, click on your desired snipping mode.

Also Read: How to fix Snipping Tool keyboard shortcut not working

III. Add Outline to Screenshots

Step 1: Go to Search, type Snipping Tool, and open the Snipping Tool app.

Step 2: In the top right corner, click on the three-dot icon.

Step 3: Here, click on Settings.

Step 4: Scroll down and turn on the Snip outline toggle. Then, click on the arrow icon.

Step 5: Once the options are visible, change the outline color and thickness accordingly.

This way, once you have used the Snipping Tool shortcut to take a screenshot, an outline will be automatically added to the screenshot.

3. Take a Screenshot Without the Print Screen Button Using the Game Bar

While the Xbox Game Bar is mainly geared towards gaming, it can also be used to take screenshots and record your screen on Windows 11. This is certainly helpful when you want to take a screenshot while having the pointer icon visible.

However, please note the Xbox Game Bar cannot be used to take screenshots or screen record the File Explorer or Windows desktop. Follow the below steps to enable and use the Xbox Game Bar on Windows 11.

I. Using the Screenshot Option

Step 1: Use the Windows + G shortcut to open the Xbox Game Bar.

Step 2: First, click on the pin icon to pin the Game Bar to your desktop.

Step 3: Then, after opening the relevant window, click on the screenshot button.

Step 4: Once the screenshot has been captured, click on ‘See my captures’.

This will instantly open your screenshots taken using the Xbox Game Bar.

Tip: Check out our explainer if the Xbox Game Bar is not working on Windows 11.

II. Using the Record Option

Step 1: Go to the window you wish to screen record and use the Windows + G shortcut to open the Xbox Game Bar.

Step 2: Then, click on the pin icon to pin it to your desktop.

Step 3: Here, click on the record button.

Step 4: Once you have the desired frame, click on the stop recording button.

Step 5: Here, click on the ‘Game clip recorded’ option or ‘See my captures’ in the Game Bar window.

Once you locate your recording, play it and pause at the relevant point. Then, take a screenshot of the page with the pointer using the abovementioned methods.

Additionally, because using the Xbox Game Bar is a little restrictive when screen recording specific applications, you can use other methods to screen record on Windows 11 without using the Xbox Game Bar. Then, follow the abovementioned method to take your screenshot with the pointer visible.

4. Take Full-Screen Screenshots Using Chrome, Edge, and Firefox

While you can use the above methods to screenshot the currently visible area of the screen, there have been times when you want to screenshot the entire page in one go. This is useful when you’re using a browser and want to avoid taking multiple screenshots throughout the page. For more details on how to do it, you can check out our explainers on how to take full-page screenshots on Chrome, Edge, and Firefox.

FAQs for Taking Screenshots in Windows 11

1. Where does Windows 11 save your screenshots?

While most screenshots are usually saved in the Screenshot folder, if you’re using another program, like the Xbox Game Bar, the location might differ. So, you can either look through the program’s settings menu or click on the screenshot location options, if they appear, to find where it’s saved. For more details, you can also check out our explainer on where to find screenshots in Windows 11.

2. Can you take screenshots in Windows 11 using third-party apps?

Yes, several third-party screenshot apps like Lightshot and ShareX can help you screen capture on Windows 11.

Screenshot Your Screen

Screenshots are a convenient way to save the information on your screen quickly. So, we hope this article helped you understand how to take a screenshot in Windows 11. Additionally, if you feel your screenshots are taking too much space, consider changing the location of the screenshot folder.

Categories: How to
Source: thpttranhungdao.edu.vn/en/