Long screenshots in Windows 11 can be a bit of a pain sometimes, especially when you’re dealing with a lengthy webpage or a wide window that just won’t fit into a normal screenshot. It’s a bit tricky, but using third-party tools like ShareX or Snagit makes it heaps easier — no more endless scrolling and stitching images together. Windows doesn’t natively support scrolling captures, so relying on these tools makes a big difference. The goal here is to get everything from top to bottom in one seamless shot, without missing a thing.
Setup can vary, and sometimes it’s a bit finicky or frustrating, especially if you’re not used to the options. But once you’ve got everything sorted, these tools can save you a fair bit of time. Just keep in mind, some apps might need a tweak of settings or permissions, especially with Windows security stuff. And yeah, even the simplest tools can stumble sometimes — a quick restart or update usually sorts it out. Don’t stress if things don’t work perfectly first go, just follow along. Now, here’s how to do it step-by-step, so you know the basics and avoid the “why isn’t this working?” moments.
How to Take a Long Screenshot in Windows 11
Method 1: Using ShareX for Scrolling Capture
Why it’s handy: ShareX is a free, open-source screenshot tool that’s surprisingly powerful. If you want to grab a full webpage or a long window without the hassle of stitching images, this is your best bet. It’s especially good if you’re doing it often or need high quality. It works because it has a dedicated scrolling capture feature, made exactly for this purpose. When you’ve got a tall page, ShareX scrolls automatically while capturing, then stitches everything into one image.
When to use: This method’s perfect if you’re regularly dealing with online articles, long emails, or doc windows that won’t fit on your screen. Once done, you’ll get a neat, stitched screenshot. Just note, on some setups it can be a bit temperamental; sometimes it takes a second try or a quick restart of the app.
Download and Install ShareX
- Head over to ShareX’s official site and grab the latest installer.
- Run the setup, follow the prompts — you can usually leave everything at defaults unless you’re into fiddling with settings.
- Once installed, open ShareX. It might ask you to install some dependencies; just follow the instructions.
Open ShareX and Select ‘Capture’
- Inside ShareX, find the big menu on the left — look for ‘Capture’ or hover over it.
- This menu has lots of screenshot modes, including the special one for scrolling captures.
Choose ‘Scrolling Capture’
- Click on ‘Scrolling Capture’. It’s usually near the top or within the capture options.
- This tells ShareX you want it to do the heavy lifting — scrolling automatically while capturing.
Select the Window or Webpage to Capture
- Make sure your window or webpage you want is visible and active.
- Click on it, then click ‘Start’ in ShareX — it might ask you to hover or click again on the window you’re capturing.
Follow the Prompts to Capture
- ShareX will briefly freeze or highlight the window, then start scrolling and capturing on its own.
- On some setups, it might require you to click or drag the capture area a bit, so just follow the on-screen instructions.
- If it doesn’t work the first time, try restarting ShareX and giving it another go. Sometimes it needs a quick reboot or re-install to behave.
Once finished, the app stitches everything together in the background and saves the long screenshot to your folder. Easy as! It’s a bit faster once you get the hang of it.
Tips for Taking a Long Screenshot in Windows 11
- Keep ShareX up to date — newer versions fix bugs and make things run smoother.
- Practice on smaller pages first so you get a feel for how scrolling works and where it might bug out.
- Check your quality settings — bumping up DPI or resolution makes a difference if you need sharper pics.
- Use keyboard shortcuts: assign one for quick access instead of digging through menus each time.
- Turn off notifications or set Focus Assist to ‘Alarms only’ — interruptions can mess up your capture or cause glitches.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I take a long screenshot without third-party apps?
Some browsers have extensions for this. For example, Fireshot for Chrome or Firefox does the trick. Just install the extension, click the icon, and pick ‘Capture Entire Page’. But they only work inside the browser — for capturing stuff outside, third-party tools are the way to go.
Can I edit the screenshot after I’ve taken it?
Absolutely. ShareX has a built-in editor where you can crop, add arrows, highlight, and annotate. It saves you time if you need to mark things up before sharing.
Is ShareX safe to use?
Very much so. It’s open-source, trusted by heaps of users, and regularly updated. Just download it from the official website and steer clear of dodgy sources.
Can I capture just a part of a long window instead of the whole thing?
You sure can. Use the region capture option if you want just a snippet, or crop the long screenshot afterwards. For lengthy pages, the scrolling feature does a better job.
What are some other tools I could use aside from ShareX?
Snagit is a paid, professional tool with excellent scrolling capture features. Greenshot is a free alternative, though it’s not as advanced for long captures. Winhance is also worth a look if you want some Windows tweaks to improve your screenshots.
Summary
- Download and install ShareX from its official site.
- Open it up, go to ‘Capture’, then choose ‘Scrolling Capture’.
- Select your window or webpage.
- Follow the prompts and wait for the stitching to finish.
Wrap-up
Long screenshots on Windows 11 aren’t as tricky as you might think once you’ve got the right tools. ShareX, in particular, is a top choice — it’s reliable, free, and packed with features. Not every app will work perfectly straight away, but with a bit of patience and some fiddling, you’ll be capturing entire web pages or lengthy docs in no time. Hope this cuts down your hassle and makes life a whole lot easier when you need to show off tall online stuff or save those lengthy receipts!