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How To Take A Screenshot On Windows 11: Step-By-Step Guide

How To Take A Screenshot On Windows 11

Published on October 25th, 2023

There are various situations that may call for taking a screenshot.

You might find yourself sharing your screen with a colleague over Slack to troubleshoot an issue, or you could be in need of capturing a specific portion of an important document for future reference. Whatever the case, Windows 11 provides multiple methods to capture screenshots.

Whether you require a full-screen snapshot, wish to focus on a specific section of your display, or prefer using keyboard shortcuts or dedicated applications, the process is straightforward.

Continue reading to explore the diverse ways you can take a screenshot on your Windows 11 computer.

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1. Capture The Full Windows 11 Screen In A Screenshot

The simplest method to capture a screenshot of your entire desktop is by using the “PrtSc” key located at the top of your keyboard.

When you press the “PrtSc” key, the screenshot is copied to your clipboard, although there won’t be any immediate visual confirmation of the screenshot being taken.

To view and utilize the full-screen screenshot, you can paste it into an application like Paint, or Microsoft Word, or even directly into the body of an email using the Ctrl-V keyboard shortcut.

2. Capture The Entire Screen And Save Your Windows 11 Screenshot

Much like the previous method, using the Windows and PrtSc keys together will capture a screenshot of your entire desktop.

However, this combination will not only take the screenshot but also save it to a designated folder on your computer.

If you execute this key combination correctly, your entire screen will briefly flash, signifying that the screenshot has been successfully captured and saved.

You can access all your full-screen screenshots conveniently in the “Pictures” folder under “Screenshots.”

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3. Capture A Partial Screen Screenshot In Windows 11

Capture A Partial Screen Screenshot In Windows 11

Not everyone wants a screenshot of their entire screen, which is why Windows 11 gives you the option to take only a partial screenshot.

If you tap on Win + Shift + S, your screen will flash and a small Snipping Tool menu will appear at the top of the screen, allowing you to do the following (from left to right):

Not everyone requires a screenshot of their entire screen, and Windows 11 offers the flexibility to capture partial screenshots. To achieve this, simply press Win + Shift + S.

Your screen will briefly flash, and a compact Snipping Tool menu will appear at the top of the screen, offering the following options (from left to right):

  • Rectangular Snip: Define a box around the area you wish to capture.
  • Freeform Snip: Outline any shape to capture a specific portion.
  • Window Snip: Select a particular window for capture.
  • Full-screen Snip: Capture your entire screen (equivalent to PrtSc).

After taking the screenshot, it is copied to your clipboard, much like the PrtSc key method. You can then paste it in your desired location to view it.

However, if you click on the Snipping Tool preview that appears at the bottom of the screen, you’ll access options to edit the screenshot, such as cropping, rotating, and more, as well as the ability to save it to your desktop.

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4. Take Delayed Screenshots Using The Snipping Tool In Windows 11

The Snipping Tool is a built-in feature of Windows 11, and it’s essentially the same tool discussed in the preceding section, with a few minor enhancements.

To utilize it, simply enter “Snipping Tool” in the Windows search feature and launch the application to capture a screenshot.

Within the Snipping Tool, selecting “New” opens a compact menu similar to the one mentioned earlier, where you can then opt for various snip types.

However, in this full version of the Snipping Tool, you gain the flexibility to choose any of the four snipping options (rectangular, freeform, window, and fullscreen) and set a delay.

You have the choice of a 3-, 5-, or 10-second delay, which allows you some time to prepare what you intend to capture, potentially simplifying the process compared to manual capture.

To initiate the delayed screenshot, press Win-Shift-S, and it will be automatically copied to your clipboard.

Alternatively, you can click on the screenshot preview that appears to apply edits or save the image to your computer in formats like JPEG, PNG, and more.

Feature Image Source: Dell