Windows 11 includes a screenshot tool, so you can capture an error, save a confirmation, or show a colleague a setting without installing anything. The main decision is whether you need a small rectangle, one window, or the whole display.
Press Windows + Shift + S, choose a capture mode, then select the part of your screen you want.
Go straight to the stepsBefore you begin
Hide private information. Snipping Tool’s appearance varies by version.
What you’ll need
- A Windows 11 PC
- Snipping Tool
Let’s do this
Step by step
- 01
Open the capture controls
Press Windows + Shift + S. Or search for Snipping Tool in Start and open it.
- 02
Select a mode
Choose Rectangle for an area, Window for a single window, or Full screen for everything visible. In the app, select New to begin.
- 03
Make the selection
Drag to select a rectangle, or click the window for a window capture.
- 04
Open the capture
Use the capture notification to open it in Snipping Tool. Crop away anything unnecessary and inspect the result.
- 05
Save a copy
Select Save as, choose a folder and filename, and save. Recent versions can also save automatically; check the app’s Settings for the location.
Make the screenshot easier to understand
Imagine the person receiving the image has never seen your desktop. A crop containing only a small warning may be confusing if the app name is missing. Include that context, but leave out unrelated browser tabs, messages, and documents. If you have several screens, check which one contains the information you need before capturing.
For a set of instructions, take one picture per meaningful stage. Name them in sequence, such as “01-open-settings” and “02-select-printer”. This gives you a small visual record without asking someone to decipher a single crowded image. Keep an untouched copy if you plan to annotate it.
Avoid losing the capture you just made
Make saving a deliberate final step rather than assuming the picture is already where you want it. Pick a folder you can find again and use a descriptive name. Reopen the file from that folder before attaching it to a message, especially if you took several nearly identical captures.
If a menu disappears while you reach for the keyboard, set up a delayed capture from the app. If the result looks too small, make the source window easier to read and capture again instead of repeatedly enlarging a blurry copy. A screenshot records the view; it does not include the underlying spreadsheet or document data.
A quick final check
- The correct window or screen was captured.
- The important text is legible.
- A saved copy is in a known folder.
Common questions & sticking points
How can I take a screenshot if the shortcut does nothing?
Open Snipping Tool from Start and try New. On a managed PC, capture features may be restricted.
How do I capture an open menu?
Use the Delay option in Snipping Tool, then New. Open your menu before the countdown finishes.
Sources & further reading Optional
References used to check this guide. Follow your product’s own safety instructions where its design differs.
Last source check: September 21, 2026