Taking a screenshot on Windows 11 without relying on the Print Screen button isn’t as complicated as it sounds — in fact, there are several built-in tools that do the heavy lifting for you. Whether you prefer quick and straightforward captures or want to annotate your images before saving, Windows offers options like the Snipping Tool and Snip & Sketch. Just a heads up — on some setups, the process might be a bit quirky. Sometimes the apps behave differently after updates or system resets, so if an option doesn’t work immediately, trying again after a reboot can sometimes get things flowing. It’s kind of weird, but that’s Windows for ya. Anyway, this guide aims to help you create screenshots without the traditional Print Screen key, which is useful if that key is broken or missing, or if you’re just trying to speed things up.
How to Take a Screenshot on Windows 11 Without Print Screen Button
Open Snipping Tool
First off, you want to open the Snipping Tool. Hit the Start menu and type “Snipping Tool” — it should pop right up. On some machines, the app might be called just “Snip & Sketch” now, since Windows kinda merged the functionalities. It’s a simple app that lets you grab various types of snips — from freehand to full screen.
Since Windows 11 gradually replaced the old Snipping Tool with Snip & Sketch, both are accessible, but for consistency, if you see “Snip & Sketch, ” open that one. Sometimes it’s available via Quick Settings or through a right-click on the taskbar if you add it. Oh, and if the app isn’t opening, you can also launch it via Settings > Privacy & Security > App permissions— just make sure screen capturing permissions are enabled.
Select Your Snip Mode
Once the app is open, pick your snip type. This helps when you need more control, especially if you want a specific part of the screen or a particular window. After clicking “New” (or the + icon), you should see options like Rectangular, Window, Full-screen, or Freeform. Picking the right one depends on your task — for example, choose Window if you want to capture just the menu or a specific app window.
Quick tip — if you hold down the Ctrl key while launching snip, it sometimes defaults to a specific mode depending on your app. Not totally consistent, but it’s worth trying.
Capture Your Screen
Hit the “New” button in Snipping Tool / Snip & Sketch. Your screen will fade out (which is just Windows indicating it’s ready), then drag over the area or window you want. Not sure why it works, but on some setups, the snip doesn’t register the first try. Usually, giving it a second shot or briefly minimizing other windows helps. When you release the mouse button, it’s captured. Sometimes the snip automatically pops up in the app, giving you a chance to edit or annotate.
Save Your Screenshot
Once captured, look for the “Save As” button or icon, often represented by a floppy disk symbol. Save it to your preferred folder, whether it’s Pictures, Desktop, or somewhere else. Choose your file format — PNG is pretty standard, but JPEG or GIF works too. If you find yourself needing to do this often, it might be worth setting a custom shortcut in {“Settings > Accessibility > Keyboard”} or creating a hotkey for Snip & Sketch, so you don’t have to open the app manually every time.
Alternative Method: Snip & Sketch
Another way is to launch Snip & Sketch directly. Just type “Snip & Sketch” into the Start menu, open it, then click “New” — same deal. Snip & Sketch has more editing options, like annotations, highlighting, and cropping. Because of course, Windows has to make it harder than necessary — but the extra features come in handy. You can also set up a keyboard shortcut for it in Settings > Accessibility > Keyboard to speed up snipping.
Once you grab your screen, you can right-click and hit “Copy” or “Share” without saving if needed, making it flexible in workflows.
Tips for Taking a Screenshot on Windows 11 Without Print Screen Button
- Use the Snipping Tool or Snip & Sketch for pretty quick captures. Like, really fast once you get the hang of the hotkeys.
- Play around with the modes — sometimes the full-screen shot is easiest, other times a window snip does the trick.
- Immediately save your screenshots — Windows likes to forget if you don’t. Or just copy and paste into an image editor if you want to edit first.
- Set up shortcuts to skip the app entirely — saves time when you’re doing it repeatedly.
- Try the shortcut Windows + Shift + S — it opens the snipping overlay directly in newer Windows versions, skipping the app altogether.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use keyboard shortcuts with Snipping Tool?
Not directly, no. But with Snip & Sketch, you can set shortcuts or use Windows + Shift + S to invoke the snip overlay. On some setups, this shortcut doesn’t immediately save — it just copies the snip to clipboard, so you’ll need to paste it somewhere.
What’s the difference between Snipping Tool and Snip & Sketch?
Snip & Sketch has more editing options like markups and annotations, plus quicker access via shortcuts. The older Snipping Tool is simpler, favoring speed for basic tasks. On newer Windows, Snip & Sketch is the default, but both are there if you need them.
How do I edit my screenshot after capturing it?
Both apps let you annotate, crop, or highlight before saving. Click the “Edit” or “Draw” options after capturing, or open the image in Paint or any editor you prefer. Not super fancy, but enough for quick annotations.
Is there a way to automatically save screenshots?
Nope, neither Snipping Tool nor Snip & Sketch auto-saves by default. You’ll need to manually hit “Save” or use copy-paste to grab them into an editor. Some third-party tools might offer auto-saves if needed.
Can I capture a specific window with these tools?
Absolutely. Just select the “Window” snip mode, then click on the window you want. It’s a lifesaver when capturing exactly one app or menu, especially if you’re doing tutorials or bug reporting.
Summary
- Open Snipping Tool or Snip & Sketch
- Select your preferred snip mode
- Capture the area or window you want
- Save or copy the screenshot
- Use shortcuts like Windows + Shift + S for quick access
Wrap-up
Getting screenshots on Windows 11 without the Print Screen key isn’t too bad once you try these built-in options. They’re pretty flexible, letting you capture just what you need and even edit on the fly. Honestly, the biggest hiccup is sometimes the apps don’t launch right away or there’s a little trial-and-error involved, but once it clicks, it’s smooth sailing. All in all, these tools cover a lot of ground, whether it’s quick captures or more detailed editing. Hopefully, this shaves off a few hours for someone, and you’re not stuck fumbling with the keyboard anymore.