Set Print Screen to Open Snipping Tool

Updated 6 November 2026 · Standard formula, shown below

To set the Print Screen key to open the Snipping Tool in Windows, open Settings > Accessibility > Keyboard and turn on the toggle for “Use the Print screen key to open Snipping Tool.� Once enabled, pressing the Print Screen key (often labeled PrtScn or PrtSc) will immediately launch the Snipping Tool instead of copying the entire screen to the clipboard.

Background: Why Change the Default Behavior?

For decades, the Print Screen key has been a quick way to copy the entire screen to the clipboard. You then had to paste it into Paint, Word, or an email to see or save it. That workflow works, but it is clunky when you only want a portion of the screen, a specific window, or a delayed screenshot. The Snipping Tool offers those options directly, but you had to find it in the Start menu or pin it to the taskbar. Microsoft added the ability to reassign the Print Screen key to open the Snipping Tool in Windows 11 (version 22H2) and later. It is also available in Windows 10 in some recent builds, but the exact setting location may vary.

How the Setting Works

When you enable the toggle, Windows intercepts the Print Screen key press and launches the Snipping Tool instead of performing the traditional “copy full screen� action. The Snipping Tool opens with a small toolbar at the top of the screen, letting you choose a rectangular snip, freeform snip, window snip, or full-screen snip. You can also set a delay (3, 5, or 10 seconds) in the Snipping Tool’s settings if you need to capture menus or tooltips that disappear when you click.

If you still want the old behavior of copying the full screen to the clipboard, you can use the keyboard shortcut Windows key + Print Screen (which also saves the screenshot to the Pictures > Screenshots folder) or Alt + Print Screen to copy only the active window. These shortcuts continue to work even when the Print Screen key is reassigned.

How to Enable It (Step-by-Step)

Here is the exact path for Windows 11 (and most Windows 10 versions with the feature):

Open Settings (press Windows key + I).
Go to Accessibility (in Windows 11) or Ease of Access (in Windows 10).
Select Keyboard from the left sidebar.
Find the section labeled Print screen key or Keyboard shortcuts.
Toggle on Use the Print screen key to open Snipping Tool.

If you do not see this toggle, your Windows version may not support it yet. You can check for updates in Settings > Windows Update, or you can use the alternative method below.

Alternative: Use the Snipping Tool Shortcut

If the toggle is unavailable, you can still get one-key access by assigning a shortcut to the Snipping Tool executable. Here is how:

Open the Start menu and search for “Snipping Tool.�
Right-click the app and choose Open file location. This opens a File Explorer window with a shortcut to the app.
Right-click the shortcut and select Properties.
Click the Shortcut tab.
Click the Shortcut key field and press the key combination you want (for example, Ctrl + Alt + S).
Click OK.

This method does not replace the Print Screen key, but it gives you a dedicated shortcut. Note that the shortcut only works if the shortcut file is in a location that is always accessible (the Start menu folder is fine).

Common Problems and Fixes

You might run into a few issues after changing the setting:

The toggle is grayed out: This usually means your Windows version does not support the feature. Update Windows or use the shortcut method above.
Print Screen still copies the screen: Some laptops have a “Fn� key that must be pressed to use the Print Screen function. Try pressing Fn + Print Screen instead. Also, check if any third-party screenshot tool (like Snagit or Greenshot) has overridden the key.
Snipping Tool opens but does not capture: Make sure the Snipping Tool is not already running. If it is, close it and try again. Also, check that you have not set a delay that is too long.
The setting resets after a restart: This is rare, but if it happens, try running Windows Update or check if a group policy is forcing the default behavior (in enterprise environments).

Comparison: Print Screen vs. Snipping Tool

Understanding the difference helps you decide which method to use:

Print Screen (default): Copies the entire screen to the clipboard. You must paste it into an app to view or save it. No editing tools.
Windows key + Print Screen: Saves a full-screen screenshot directly to the Pictures > Screenshots folder. No clipboard involved.
Alt + Print Screen: Copies only the active window to the clipboard.
Snipping Tool: Opens a small toolbar that lets you select a region, window, or full screen. You can annotate, crop, and save directly. You can also set a delay.

For most users, the Snipping Tool is more flexible because it gives you control over what you capture and how you save it. The Print Screen key is still useful for quick full-screen captures when you do not need editing.

Safety and Privacy Considerations

When you reassign the Print Screen key, you are not changing any security settings, but you should be aware of what you are capturing. Screenshots can contain sensitive information like passwords, personal messages, or financial data. Always review a screenshot before sharing it. The Snipping Tool has a built-in editor that lets you blur or highlight areas, but it does not have a “redact� feature that permanently removes information. If you need to redact, use a dedicated image editor. Also, be cautious when using cloud clipboard features (Windows key + V) – your screenshots may be synced across devices if you have that enabled.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this setting work on Windows 10?

Yes, but it depends on the version. Microsoft introduced the “Use the Print screen key to open Snipping Tool� toggle in Windows 11 22H2 and later, and it has been backported to some Windows 10 builds (starting with version 1903 and later, but not all). If you do not see the toggle, update Windows or use the shortcut method.

Can I still use Print Screen to copy the screen after enabling this?

No, the Print Screen key will always open the Snipping Tool when the toggle is on. To copy the full screen, use Windows key + Print Screen (saves to file) or Alt + Print Screen (copies active window to clipboard).

How do I change the Snipping Tool’s default snip mode?

Open the Snipping Tool, click the three-dot menu in the top-right corner, and select Settings. Under “Snip settings,� you can choose the default mode (rectangular, window, full-screen, etc.) and enable “Print screen shortcut� if you want the key to open the tool (this is the same toggle as in Settings).

Why is my Print Screen key not doing anything at all?

If the key does nothing, it could be a hardware issue (try an on-screen keyboard), a driver problem, or a third-party app intercepting the key. Also, some keyboards have a “Fn� lock that changes the function of the top row keys. Try pressing Fn + Print Screen.

Can I set a different key to open the Snipping Tool?

Yes, you can assign any keyboard shortcut to the Snipping Tool using the “Shortcut key� field in the shortcut’s Properties, as described above. This is useful if you want to keep Print Screen for full-screen captures.

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