5 Best Ways to Capture the Screen in Windows 11 Laptop in 2026
In this post, we will learn the top 5 methods to capture your screen in Windows 11.
Capturing your screen in Windows 11 is a process to save an image of an important document, record an error message, create a tutorial, or share something interesting with others. Knowing how to capture your screen efficiently can save time and improve productivity.
Let’s learn the easy and most used methods in a very easy way!
5 Best Ways to Capture the Screen in Windows 11
To capture a screen in Windows 11, press Windows + Shift + S to open the Snipping Tool and select the area you want to capture. You can also press the Print Screen key to capture the entire screen instantly or use the built-in Snipping Tool app for more options, such as delay and editing. Screenshots are automatically copied to the clipboard and can be saved or edited easily.
Capturing your screen in Windows 11 can be done using several built-in tools and keyboard shortcuts. The most common methods include using the Snipping Tool, the Print Screen key, Windows shortcuts, and screen recording through the Xbox Game Bar. Each method serves a different purpose and offers flexibility for different situations.
Below is a detailed explanation of each method with simple steps.
Capture screen using Windows + Shift + S shortcut
The quickest way to capture your screen in Windows 11 is by using the Windows + Shift + S keyboard shortcut. This shortcut opens the Snipping Tool overlay instantly and allows you to select the portion of the screen you want to capture.
Press the Windows key, then press Shift and S together. Once you press these keys, the screen will dim slightly, and a small toolbar will appear at the top of the screen. This toolbar gives you multiple capture options.
You can choose Rectangular Snip to capture a selected rectangular area, Freeform Snip to draw any shape, Window Snip to capture a specific window, or Fullscreen Snip to capture the entire screen. Select the option you prefer and drag the cursor across the area you want to capture.
After capturing the screenshot, it will be copied automatically to the clipboard. A notification will appear on the screen. Click on the notification to open the screenshot in the Snipping Tool editor, where you can crop, draw, highlight, or save the image.
This method is ideal for quick screenshots and works instantly without opening any app manually.
Capture screen using the Print Screen key
Another simple way to capture the screen in Windows 11 is by using the Print Screen key, often labeled as PrtScn on your keyboard. This key is available on almost all keyboards and provides different screenshot functions depending on how you use it.
Press the Print Screen key once to capture the entire screen. The screenshot will be copied to the clipboard automatically. You can then paste it into an app such as Paint, Word, or Photoshop by pressing Ctrl + V. After pasting, you can edit and save the image.
If you want to capture only the active window, press Alt + Print Screen together. This will capture only the currently open window and copy it to the clipboard. Paste it into any image editing app to save it.
In Windows 11, you can also enable a setting that opens the Snipping Tool when you press the Print Screen key. To do this, open Settings, go to Accessibility, select Keyboard, and turn on the option that says use Print Screen to open screen snipping. Once enabled, pressing the Print Screen key will open the snipping toolbar instead of capturing the full screen instantly.
This method is simple and useful for users who prefer traditional keyboard shortcuts.
Capture screen using the Snipping Tool app
The Snipping Tool is a built-in application in Windows 11 that provides more control and editing options for screenshots. It combines the features of the old Snipping Tool and Snip and Sketch into a single powerful tool.
Read: Snipping Tool Not Working in Windows 11? How to Fix?
To open the Snipping Tool, click on the Start menu, type Snipping Tool in the search bar, and open the app. Once opened, you will see options such as New, Mode, and Delay.
Click on New to start capturing the screen immediately. You can choose the capture mode from the toolbar. Select rectangular snip, freeform snip, window snip, or full screen snip depending on your requirement. After selecting the mode, capture the area you want.
The screenshot will open inside the Snipping Tool editor. Here, you can use tools like a pen, a highlighter, and an eraser to annotate the image. You can also crop the screenshot and save it by clicking the Save icon.
One useful feature of the Snipping Tool is the Delay option. This allows you to set a timer before capturing the screen. You can choose a delay of a few seconds to capture menus or tooltips that disappear when you click away.
The Snipping Tool app is best for users who want editing features and control over the capture process.
Capture screen automatically using Windows + Print Screen
If you want to capture the entire screen and save it automatically without opening any editing app, you can use the Windows + Print Screen shortcut. This method saves the screenshot directly to your computer.
Press the Windows key and the Print Screen key together. When you press these keys, the screen will dim briefly to indicate that the screenshot has been captured. The image will be saved automatically in the Screenshots folder.
To find your screenshot, open File Explorer, go to Pictures, and open the Screenshots folder. All screenshots taken using this shortcut will be stored here in PNG format.
This method is ideal for users who take frequent screenshots and want them saved instantly without additional steps.
Record Screen Using Xbox Game Bar
Windows 11 also allows you to record your screen using the Xbox Game Bar. This feature is useful for recording tutorials, gameplay, or presentations.
Press Windows + G to open the Xbox Game Bar. A panel will appear on the screen with several widgets. Locate the Capture widget and click on the Record button. If you do not see the Capture widget, click on the widgets menu and select Capture.
Read: How to Fix Xbox Game Bar Not Opening or Working?
Once you click record, screen recording will begin. A small recording bar will appear showing the recording time. When you are finished, click the Stop button on the recording bar.
The recorded video will be saved automatically in the Videos folder under Captures. You can access and edit the video as needed.
This method is perfect for creating screen recordings without installing additional software.
Faqs
How do I take a screenshot on Windows 11 quickly?
The fastest way is to press Windows + Shift + S and select the area you want to capture. This opens the Snipping Tool instantly and allows quick screenshots.
Where are screenshots saved in Windows 11?
Screenshots taken using Windows + Print Screen are saved in the Pictures > Screenshots folder. Screenshots taken with other methods are usually copied to the clipboard and must be saved manually.
Can I edit screenshots after capturing them?
Yes, you can edit screenshots using the Snipping Tool editor or paste them into apps like Paint or Photos. You can crop, draw, highlight, and annotate images easily.
How do I record my screen in Windows 11?
Press Windows + G to open the Xbox Game Bar, then click the record button in the Capture widget. The recording will be saved automatically in the Videos folder.
Is the Snipping Tool available in Windows 11 by default?
Yes, the Snipping Tool comes pre-installed in Windows 11 and can be accessed from the Start menu or by using keyboard shortcuts.
Summarizing
Capturing your screen in Windows 11 is simple and flexible thanks to multiple built-in tools and shortcuts. You can use the Windows + Shift + S shortcut for quick snips, the Print Screen key for traditional screenshots, or the Snipping Tool app for editing and delayed captures. If you want automatic saving, the Windows + Print Screen shortcut is ideal. For recording your screen, the Xbox Game Bar provides a built-in solution without needing extra software.