In Windows 11, pressing this often opens the Snipping Tool by default. If it doesn’t, it simply copies the entire screen to your clipboard.
: Turns your mouse cursor into a crosshair. Click and drag over the exact area you want to capture. Release the trackpad to save the screenshot to your desktop.
) key has been upgraded. By default, pressing it now often opens the Snipping Tool how to print screen on laptop new
On newer, ultra-thin laptops, keys do double duty to save space. If the "PrtSc" text is printed in a smaller font, enclosed in a box, or shares a key with something like the F11 or F12 keys, you need a modifier.
This is a "pro tip" for productivity. It captures only the active window you are currently working in, ignoring the rest of the desktop. In Windows 11, pressing this often opens the
Capturing a screen on modern laptops has evolved from a simple "copy to clipboard" function into a versatile suite of tools for editing, recording, and instant saving. On the newest Windows 11 and macOS systems (as of 2026), the methods differ significantly between operating systems and even specific hardware like the Surface Pro .
Select a specific app window to capture without the background. Full-screen Snip: Captures everything visible. Automatic Saving: Click and drag over the exact area you want to capture
On some ultra-portable laptops, you might need to hold the Fn key + PrtSc if the key shares space with a volume or brightness control. 4. Gaming Laptops & The Xbox Game Bar
Once captured, the image is saved to your (to paste immediately into an email or Slack) and a notification pops up allowing you to save it as a file. 2. The One-Key Solution: The "Print Screen" Key
