Capturing Screenshots on Windows 11

Authored by: Support.com Tech Pro Team

How-To Capture Screenshots on Windows 11

Capturing screenshots on a Windows 11 desktop computer is a common task that can sometimes encounter issues. This troubleshooting guide will help you diagnose and resolve problems related to taking screenshots on your Windows 11 system.

Snip & Sketch

Press the "Windows" key + "Shift" + "S" to open Snip & Sketch.

Select the type of snip you want (rectangular, freeform, window, or fullscreen).

Capture the desired area and edit the screenshot if necessary.

Snipping Tool (Optional)

Search for "Snipping Tool" using the search bar.

Open Snipping Tool, click "New," and select the area you want to capture.

Save or annotate the screenshot as needed.

Print Screen (PrtScn) or Alt + Print Screen

Press the "PrtScn" key to capture the entire screen.

Press "Alt" + "PrtScn" to capture only the active window.

Paste the captured screenshot into an image editor or document.

Check Keyboard Shortcuts

If the PrtScn or Alt + PrtScn shortcuts aren't working:

Verify that you're using the correct keys: "PrtScn" and "Alt" are on the keyboard.

Try using the "Fn" key in combination with "PrtScn" or "Alt + PrtScn" if you're on a laptop.

Confirm Clipboard Functionality

If you're unable to paste the captured screenshot:

Ensure the screenshot is being copied to the clipboard by using "Ctrl" + "V" in a text editor.

If clipboard is not working, restart the "Clipboard" service:

Press "Windows" key + "R" to open the Run dialog.

Type in "services.msc" and press Enter.

Locate "Clipboard" in the list, right-click on it, and select "Restart."

Check for Software Conflicts

Third-party software can interfere with screenshot functionality:

Temporarily disable or uninstall any screen capture or overlay software.

Disable or exit software that might interfere with keyboard shortcuts, such as gaming overlays or virtual machine tools.

Update Graphics Drivers

Outdated or incompatible graphics drivers can lead to screenshot issues:

Update your graphics drivers to the latest version provided by your graphics card manufacturer (NVIDIA, AMD, Intel).

Go to the manufacturer's website and download the appropriate drivers for your graphics card model.

Windows Updates

Ensure your Windows operating system is up to date:

Go to Settings > Windows Update and click "Check for updates."

Install any pending updates and restart your computer if required.

Test with a Different User Account

To determine if the issue is user-specific:

Create a new local user account on your computer.

Log in to the new account and attempt to take screenshots using the methods mentioned earlier.

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