Print Screen Opens Snipping Tool in Windows 11
Yes, you can make the Print Screen key open the Snipping Tool in Windows 11. By default, pressing Print Screen captures the entire screen and copies it to the clipboard, but a simple Settings toggle changes it to launch the Snipping Tool instead.
Why Change the Print Screen Key Behavior?
Windows 11 introduced a dedicated Snip & Sketch (now called Snipping Tool) that offers more flexibility than a full-screen capture. By remapping Print Screen, you can quickly access annotation, window, and region capture options without needing to open the app manually. This is especially useful for users who frequently take screenshots for work, tutorials, or sharing information.
How to Enable the Setting
Follow these steps to make Print Screen open the Snipping Tool:
- Open Settings (press Win + I).
- Go to Accessibility > Keyboard.
- Find the toggle labeled “Use the Print screen key to open Snipping Tool� and turn it on.
Once enabled, pressing Print Screen will launch the Snipping Tool overlay. If you prefer the old behavior (copy full screen to clipboard), simply turn the toggle off.
What the Snipping Tool Offers
The Snipping Tool in Windows 11 provides several capture modes:
- Rectangular mode – drag to select a rectangular area.
- Freeform mode – draw any shape around the area.
- Window mode – capture a specific open window.
- Full-screen mode – capture the entire screen.
After capturing, you can annotate with a pen or highlighter, crop, save, copy, or share directly. The tool also supports delayed captures (3 or 10 seconds) via the dropdown arrow next to the “New� button.
What Happens to the Clipboard?
When the Snipping Tool is triggered by the Print Screen key, the capture is not automatically copied to the clipboard—it opens in the Snipping Tool editor. This is a change from the default behavior where Print Screen copies the full screen image to the clipboard. If you need the old clipboard behavior, you can still press Win + Print Screen to save a full-screen screenshot directly to the Screenshots folder, or Alt + Print Screen to copy only the active window to the clipboard.
Common Issues and Troubleshooting
If the Print Screen key doesn’t open the Snipping Tool after enabling the setting, check the following:
- Keyboard driver – Ensure your keyboard driver is up to date via Device Manager.
- Fn key – On some laptops, you may need to press Fn + Print Screen if the key is shared with another function.
- Group Policy – In some enterprise editions, the setting might be disabled by policy. Check with your IT administrator.
- Restart – A simple restart can resolve temporary glitches in the Settings app.
Alternative Ways to Open Snipping Tool
If you don’t want to change the Print Screen behavior, you can still access the Snipping Tool via:
- Search for “Snipping Tool� in the Start menu.
- Press Win + Shift + S to open the snipping overlay directly.
- Pin the app to your taskbar for one-click access.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this work on Windows 10?
No, this specific toggle is only available in Windows 11. In Windows 10, the Print Screen key behavior is not configurable through Settings; you can use the older Snip & Sketch shortcut Win + Shift + S instead.
Can I still take a full-screen screenshot after enabling this?
Yes. You can press Win + Print Screen to save a full-screen screenshot to the Screenshots folder, or use the Snipping Tool’s full-screen mode.
Why doesn’t my Print Screen key work at all?
If the key does nothing, check if your keyboard has a F-Lock or Fn key that needs to be toggled. Also, try using the on-screen keyboard to see if the physical key is faulty.
Can I change the shortcut to open Snipping Tool with a different key?
No, Windows 11 does not allow custom remapping of system shortcuts through Settings. You can use third-party tools like AutoHotkey, but that requires scripting knowledge.
Does the Snipping Tool save screenshots automatically?
No, it does not auto-save. You must manually save (Ctrl+S) or copy (Ctrl+C) the capture. However, you can enable “Automatically copy changes to clipboard� in the Snipping Tool settings if you want the capture to be copied automatically.
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