How to Take Screenshots in Windows 11

Windows 11 changes the way you take screenshots for the better. Learn all the best methods for capturing your PC's screen in Microsoft's newest operating system.

7 Ways to take a Screenshot in Windows 11

Snapping an image of your screen is super handy, whether you're using a smartphone, a tablet, or a PC running Windows 11. Microsoft's desktop operating system has long had numerous options for capturing images from your PC’s screen—perhaps too many. Fortunately, Windows 11 simplifies the situation. We'll show you the best ways to take screenshots on your computer with your brand-new OS. The methods range from long-standing keyboard shortcuts to the more modern, capable tools that let you do things like set timers for the screenshots as well as edit and share them.

Use the PrtSc Key With OneDrive

You can also use PrtSc in combination with OneDrive to automatically create an image file of your screenshot in OneDrive. I’m including this method separately from the standard PrtSc option because the result is so different and saves you the extra steps of opening an app and pasting from the clipboard. Here's how to set it up:

Click or right-click on OneDrive’s cloud icon on the right side of the taskbar. Choose Settings and then the Backup tab of the dialog box and check Automatically Save Screenshots I capture to OneDrive.

That one simple check box changes everything about PrtSc: You no longer have to open an image app or paste from the clipboard. Instead, an image file is automatically created in the OneDrive folder of your choice, which appears on the desktop just like a local file. You can also access it from any device where you can access OneDrive (there are clients for every platform). I always use this method when I think I may need to use the screenshot as an image file rather than just pasting it somewhere. It's also handy when I don't have time to save an image file in a separate step, such as during a live presentation.

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Use the Windows Key–PrtSc Keyboard Shortcut

Here's yet another way to use the PrtSc key: Use Windows Key-PrtSc.

Use a Third-Party Screenshot Utility

For many years I was a devout SnagIt user—it’s still a PCMag Editors’ Choice winner for screenshot utilities—particularly because I liked how it saved any screenshots you took for use later. (I now find that the built-in Windows screenshot tools serve my needs adequately.) SnagIt can also capture videos of screen action, window scrolling, and lte graphics, such as arrows, for markup. Read our roundup of third-party screenshot utilities to learn more about the options available.

Use the Game Bar

Windows Key–G opens the Game bar. From there, if you go to the Capture window, you'll see a camera icon. Tap that, and your screenshot is saved (somewhat counterintuitively) to the Videos/Captures folder under your main user folder. You can change the target folder in the main Windows Settings app. (Alternatively, you can tap the Windows Key–Alt-PrtScn shortcut to bypass opening the Game bar.)

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