How to Screenshot on Windows 11 (7 Easy Methods)

Updated October 2026 · Works on all Windows 11 laptops and desktops

Quick answer: Press Windows + PrtScn to take a full screenshot on Windows 11. It saves automatically to Pictures → Screenshots. To capture just part of the screen, press Windows + Shift + S. No PrtScn key? Press Fn + Windows + Space.

Windows 11 has more ways to take a screenshot than most people realise. You can capture the whole screen, one window, or any area you draw, and it works the same on every brand, whether you use a Dell, HP, Lenovo, Asus, Acer, or Microsoft Surface.

Want to record instead? See: How to Screen Record on Windows 11

In this guide you’ll find all 7 methods, where your screenshots are saved, how to change the save folder, and what to do if screenshots aren’t working.

Windows 11 Screenshot Shortcuts at a Glance

ShortcutWhat It DoesSaves Automatically?
Windows + PrtScnFull screen✅ Yes, to Pictures → Screenshots
PrtScnOpens the snip toolbarDepends on Snipping Tool settings
Windows + Shift + SSelect any area, window, or full screenDepends on Snipping Tool settings
Alt + PrtScnActive window only❌ Copied to clipboard
Fn + Windows + SpaceFull screen (no PrtScn key)✅ Yes
Windows + Alt + PrtScnGame Bar screenshot✅ Yes, to Videos → Captures

Method 1: Windows + PrtScn (Full Screen, Saves Automatically)

This is the fastest way to take a full screenshot on Windows 11 and have it saved right away.

Steps:

  1. Open the screen you want to capture
  2. Press Windows + PrtScn at the same time
  3. Your screen dims briefly. That confirms the screenshot was taken.
  4. Open File Explorer → Pictures → Screenshots to find it

Tip: On many laptops, PrtScn shares a key with another function. If the screen doesn’t dim, try Fn + Windows + PrtScn.

Method 2: PrtScn Key (Opens the Snip Toolbar)

On Windows 11, pressing PrtScn on its own opens the snip toolbar instead of silently copying the screen.

Steps:

  1. Press PrtScn
  2. The screen dims and a small toolbar appears at the top
  3. Choose Rectangle, Window, Full screen, or Freeform
  4. A preview pops up in the corner. Click it to edit or save.

Prefer the old behaviour? Go to Settings → Accessibility → Keyboard and turn off “Use the Print screen key to open screen capture.” PrtScn will then copy the full screen to your clipboard instead.

Method 3: Windows + Shift + S (Select Any Part of the Screen)

This is the most popular screenshot shortcut on Windows 11, because you choose exactly what to capture.

Steps:

  1. Press Windows + Shift + S
  2. Your screen dims and a toolbar appears at the top
  3. Choose your capture type:
    • Rectangle: drag to select an area
    • Window: click one open window
    • Full screen: captures everything
    • Freeform: draw any shape
  4. The screenshot is copied to your clipboard, and a preview appears in the corner. Click it to edit, annotate, or save.

Best for: Sharing part of the screen quickly, or capturing just the bit you need.

Method 4: Alt + PrtScn (Active Window Only)

This captures only the window you’re working in, without the taskbar or other windows.

Steps:

  1. Click the window you want to capture
  2. Press Alt + PrtScn
  3. Open Paint, Word, or an email
  4. Press Ctrl + V to paste, then save

Method 5: Snipping Tool App

The Snipping Tool is Windows 11’s built-in screenshot app. It’s where all your snips open for editing, and it has a timer delay for capturing menus.

Steps:

  1. Press Start, type Snipping Tool, and open it
  2. Choose a mode (Rectangle, Window, Full screen, or Freeform)
  3. Click + New and select what you want to capture
  4. Draw, highlight, or crop your screenshot
  5. Press Ctrl + S to save it wherever you like

Timer tip: Choose a 3, 5, or 10 second delay before clicking + New. Then open the menu or tooltip you want to capture before the timer runs out.

Method 6: Fn + Windows + Space (No PrtScn Key)

Some laptop and tablet keyboards, especially compact ones, don’t have a PrtScn key. Microsoft lists Fn + Windows + Space as the shortcut for these keyboards. It takes a full screenshot and saves it to Pictures → Screenshots.

If that doesn’t work on your keyboard, use Windows + Shift + S instead. It works on every Windows 11 device.

Method 7: Xbox Game Bar (Windows + G)

The Game Bar is built into Windows 11 and isn’t just for games. It’s useful when other shortcuts don’t work in full-screen apps.

Steps:

  1. Press Windows + G to open the Game Bar
  2. Click the camera icon in the Capture widget, or press Windows + Alt + PrtScn
  3. Your screenshot saves to Videos → Captures

How to Take a Scrolling Screenshot on Windows 11

Windows 11 doesn’t have a built-in scrolling screenshot for every app, but there’s an easy option for web pages:

  1. Open the page in Microsoft Edge
  2. Press Ctrl + Shift + S
  3. Choose Capture full page
  4. Save or copy the full-length image

For other apps, the free tool ShareX has a scrolling capture mode.

Where Are Screenshots Saved on Windows 11?

  • Windows + PrtScn and Fn + Windows + Space → Pictures → Screenshots
  • Game Bar → Videos → Captures
  • PrtScn and Windows + Shift + S → copied to the clipboard. On recent versions of Windows 11, the Snipping Tool can also save them automatically to Pictures → Screenshots. Check Snipping Tool → Settings → Automatically save screenshots.
  • Alt + PrtScn → clipboard only. Paste and save it yourself.

Screenshots missing? If OneDrive is set to back up screenshots, they may be saving to OneDrive → Pictures → Screenshots instead. Check OneDrive Settings → Backup.

How to Change Where Screenshots Are Saved on Windows 11

  1. Open File Explorer → Pictures
  2. Right-click the Screenshots folder and choose Properties
  3. Open the Location tab and click Move
  4. Choose a new folder and click Apply

From then on, Windows + PrtScn saves to the new folder.

Screenshot Not Working on Windows 11? Quick Fixes

  1. Try Fn + PrtScn. Many laptops need the Fn key for PrtScn.
  2. Toggle Fn Lock. On most laptops it’s Fn + Esc.
  3. Use Windows + Shift + S. It works even when the PrtScn key doesn’t.
  4. Check the Print Screen setting in Settings → Accessibility → Keyboard.
  5. Check OneDrive, which may be saving screenshots to the cloud.
  6. Restart your PC. It fixes most temporary shortcut problems.

Still not working? See Print Screen Not Working on Windows 11 and Snipping Tool Not Working on Windows 11.

Screenshot Guides for Your Laptop Brand

Each brand puts the PrtScn key in a different spot. Find your laptop for exact steps:

Using a Mac? See How to Take a Screenshot on Mac.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the shortcut for screenshot on Windows 11?

Windows + PrtScn takes a full screenshot and saves it automatically. Windows + Shift + S lets you capture any part of the screen.

Where do screenshots go on Windows 11?

Full screenshots taken with Windows + PrtScn go to Pictures → Screenshots. Game Bar screenshots go to Videos → Captures. Snips taken with Windows + Shift + S are copied to the clipboard and may also be saved automatically, depending on your Snipping Tool settings.

How do I screenshot on Windows 11 without a Print Screen key?

Press Windows + Shift + S, or Fn + Windows + Space. You can also open the Snipping Tool from the Start menu, or the On-Screen Keyboard (search “osk”) and click its PrtScn button.

Why does PrtScn open the Snipping Tool on Windows 11?

Windows 11 now uses the PrtScn key to open the snip toolbar by default. To change it, go to Settings → Accessibility → Keyboard and turn off “Use the Print screen key to open screen capture.”

How do I screenshot just one window on Windows 11?

Press Alt + PrtScn to copy the active window, or press Windows + Shift + S and choose Window mode.

How do I take a scrolling screenshot on Windows 11?

For web pages, open them in Microsoft Edge, press Ctrl + Shift + S, and choose Capture full page. For other apps, use a free tool like ShareX.

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