Whether you want to accumulate facts and stats for research or share a meme you saw on Reddit with your friends, the screenshot feature in Windows OS can sometimes prove to be very handy for a host of things.
Microsoft has always featured the screenshot feature in most of its operating system versions. They’ve carried the legacy in their latest iteration Windows 11 as well. Therefore, if you’re looking to know how to take screenshots in the preview build of this OS, you’re at the right place.
This article will showcase the various ways to take screenshots in Windows 11, listing some of the quickest methods with easy-to-replicate steps. There’s plenty of things to get through, so let’s dive straight into the topic.
Table of Contents
How To Take Screenshots in Windows 11
There are numerous ways to take screenshots in Windows. While some of the methods greatly resonate with the processes involved in previous versions of the operating system, Microsoft has also made some interesting additions to the functionality that you’ll know about later in the guide.
1. Use the PRTSC shortcut to take Screenshot on Windows 11
The simplest and quickest way to take screenshots in Windows is by simply using the well-known keyboard function Print Screen (PRT SC) button. This will allow you to add a snapshot of the content on your screen to your clipboard.
Afterward, you can easily paste the screenshot at your desired location such as a document or canvas. In case you’re looking to save the screenshot in JPG or any other specific format, you can simply use the “Paint” application to do so.
Here are the required steps that need to be reproduced:
- Firstly, access the page that you want to take a screenshot of, and press the PRT SC key located on your keyboard while ensuring that the desired content is visible on the screen
- Once you’ve done this, navigate to the search bar at the bottom-left corner of the screen and search for “paint”, followed by hitting the enter key on your keyboard
- This will launch the “Paint” application, where you have to press the CTRL + V key at the same time to paste your screenshot on the blank canvas
- Lastly, simply click on the file option, and choose the “Save As” option on the menu that appears. Then specify a name to the file and choose the desired format to proceed
With the aforementioned steps, you’ll be able to save your screenshot in your desired formats using the Print Screen command through your keyboard. In case this method doesn’t feel efficient enough, you may consider looking at other methods listed below.
2. Use the Snipping Tool to take screenshot on Windows 11
As with the earlier versions, the Windows 11 operating system also provides you access to an advanced way of taking personalized screenshots using the “Snipping Tool” preinstalled in the OS. While the process is identical to that of Windows 10, the tool boasts some additional intelligent features in the most recent iteration.
With that said, you can effectively save, modify, and draw on your screenshots using this nifty tool in Windows 11. Here are the exact steps that you need to follow for taking screenshots using the “Snipping Tool” in your operating system:
- Access the search bar from the desktop and type “Snipping Tool”, followed by hitting the enter key on your keyboard to launch the screenshot utility
- When the application is launched, you’ll be able to see an option named “New Snap” on the top-right corner of your screen. Click on this option to take a new snap
- Now, you have to select the specific part of the screen that needs to be captured using your mouse cursor. The portion of the area that doesn’t appear translucent needs to be adjusted as per your requirements through drag and drop action
- Once you’ve selected the desired area, the snapshot will be previewed in a new window where you can also make necessary edits to it and save the picture as per your requirements
If you are attempting to take a screenshot of textual information, you can highlight it before using the snipping tool for better visibility. There are even some specific tools available to help you underline a specific part of the text on your user interface.
3. Use the Snip and Sketch Tool for taking screenshot
The Snip and Sketch tool is a successor of the friendly-old “Snipping Tool” that you might use in Windows 10. This tool is assured to be featured on Windows 11 with various exciting features to edit and make your screenshots livelier.
Moreover, this tool is extremely easy to use and helps you save, edit, and customize your screenshots on the go. If you’re a content creator, you’ll surely find this tool very helpful. Here’s how to use it:
- In the preview build of Windows 11, you have to click on the “Try Snip and Sketch” option or use the keyboard shortcut Win + Shift + S to access the feature quickly
- Now, to begin with, the process, you have to click on the “New” option located at the top-left corner of the application window and you’ll be asked to choose a specific area to capture
- Using your mouse’s cursor, you need to drag the crosshair across the area that needs to be captured. The selected area will be highlighted and the rest of the area will have a black tint over it
After selecting the required area, your screenshot will be previewed in the inbuilt editor of the Snip and Sketch tool. It offers various options to edit the screenshot and save it as per your preferences. Therefore, make sure you give it a try.
Final Words
There are numerous ways to take screenshots in Windows 11, some of which even allow you to edit and customize them as per your needs. For quicker access, the Print Screen key is a great option, and for a more comprehensive approach, other methods can be preferred. Hopefully, you may have found the guide helpful to learn more about the much-hyped Windows 11 operating system.
