How to enable Print key to take screenshot with Snipping Tool on Windows 11

Instead of using the keyboard shortcut, you can configure Snipping Tool to use the Print key to take screenshots, and here's how on Windows 11.

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@Pureinfotech
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Snipping Tool with Print key
Snipping Tool with Print key

Windows 11 comes with a new Snipping Tool app that merges the classic Snipping Tool with Snip & Sketch to take screenshots. Although the experience is easy enough to use, it requires the Windows key + Shift + S keyboard shortcut to bring up the snipping menu. However, if you want, you can change the behavior to use the keyboard’s Print (PrtScr, Prt Sc, Print Screen) key to create a capture quickly.

This guide will teach you how to change the Windows 11 settings to use only the Print key to take screenshots with Snipping Tool. (See also this video tutorial to learn more about taking screenshots.)

Set Print key to take screenshots on Windows 11

To use the keyboard’s Print key instead of the Windows shortcut to bring up the snipping menu:

  1. Open Start on Windows 11.

  2. Search for Snipping Tool and click the top result to open the app.

  3. Click the menu (three-dotted) button in the top-right corner and select the Settings option.

    Snipping Tool menu option

  4. Under the “Shortcut” section, click the Change in settings option for the Print Screen shortcut setting.

    Print Screen shortcut

  5. Turn on the Use the Print screen button to open screen snipping toggle switch.

    Windows 11 print screen button setting

Once you complete the steps, press the Print Screen button instead of the Windows key + Shift + S keyboard shortcut to take a screenshot on Windows 11 quickly.

About the author
Avatar for Mauro Huculak

Mauro Huculak is a Windows expert and the Editor-in-Chief who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He is also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 12 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows, software, and related technologies, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 20 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me.