Print Screen functionality

Question

I'm still enjoying my Pro Slim Essential QVS1260 which I've had for about 3 weeks and I'm also getting to grips with Windows 11 for the first time. One problem I've experienced is with the Print Screen function which has traditionally involved pressing the Windows key and the Print Screen key together. It just wouldn't work. I did a lot of fault finding using Google and it suggested problems with the Windows 'Snipping Tool'. I tried all the suggestions to repair and reset that app but to no avail. Some of the options on my  Settings/Accessibility/Keyboard which related to enabling Print Screen were just missing. Then I read somewhere that some Dell laptops need the Fn key pressed in addition to the Windows and Print screen keys. Mine is a desktop, not a laptop but I tried it anyway..... and it worked. Why am I now having to press the Fn key and how can I restore things back to the traditional two key press Print Screen? Thanks.

anne_droid · Accepted Answer

Hi

In Windows 11 you can change what the PrtSc (Print Screen) key does either via built‑in settings (for Snipping Tool) or by fully remapping it to another key/shortcut with PowerToys Keyboard Manager. microsoft+2

Option 1: Make PrtSc open Snipping Tool (built‑in)

If you just want PrtSc to trigger screenshots instead of copying to clipboard:

Open Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Keyboard.
Turn on: “Use the Print screen key to open screen capture”.
Now pressing PrtSc opens the Snipping Tool overlay (same as Win + Shift + S). pureinfotech+1

To go back to classic behaviour (just copy screenshot to clipboard), toggle that setting off. windowscentral

Option 2: Fully remap PrtSc to another key or shortcut (PowerToys)

Use Microsoft PowerToys if you want PrtSc to act as a different key (e.g. F13, Menu, or a custom shortcut):

Install PowerToys from the Microsoft Store or GitHub. microsoft+1
Open PowerToys → Keyboard Manager.
Ensure “Enable Keyboard Manager” is On.
Click “Remap a key”.
Press + Add key remapping.
In the left column (“Select”), press your PrtSc key (it may show as Print / PrtScn).
In the right column (“To send”), choose:
- Another key (e.g. F13, App, F1, etc.), or
- A shortcut (e.g. Win + Shift + S, Ctrl + Shift + S, etc.).
Click OK, then OK again to apply.

This remap is system‑wide and works in most apps. youtube microsoft+1

Option 3: App‑specific PrtSc behaviour

If a specific app (e.g. Snagit, FastStone, OneDrive) is “stealing” PrtSc:

Check that app’s Hotkeys / Capture settings and change its global hotkey away from PrtSc.
Or use PowerToys to remap PrtSc only for that app by setting the Target App field to its .exe name. learn.microsoft+1

Tesla1856 · Answer

Of course, it depends on what keyboard you are using, but on a Windows desktop ...

Print-Screen has always just been Print-Screen key.

ALT+Print-Screen will capture just the current window.

You normally paste clipboard contents into Paint program.

Snipping Tool is a Microsoft App that does similar things.

paulgiv · Answer

@Tesla1856​ For me on previous Dell PC's, Windows key + Print Screen key has captured the whole screen. Not so on this new PC under Windows 11. What bothers me is that Settings/Accessibility/Keyboard should have an option/switch labelled 'Use the Print screen key to open screen capture' but its just not there for me. In the image below, the top part is how it should be and the lower part is what my settings look like. This seems to be a Dell issue rather than a Windows issue as far as I can tell.

Tesla1856 · Answer

@paulgiv​ ,   1. For me on previous Dell PC's, Windows key + Print Screen key has captured the whole screen. 2. Not so on this new PC under Windows 11. This seems to be a Dell issue rather than a Windows issue as far as I can tell. 3. What bothers me is that Settings/Accessibility/Keyboard should have an option/switch labelled 'Use the Print screen key to open screen capture' but its just not there for me.  1. Sorry, yes ... that still works. It just doesn't auto-save to my OneDrive Pictures like Alt+Print-Screen. Plus, it grabs both my screens so don't use it much.   2. If anything, it's a Windows problem (but I doubt it). Call Dell Support and see what they say.   3. On Windows-11 Pro v25H2 I have the option (and it's turned ON). Works better with 2 displays.

anne_droid · Answer

Hi

I don't disagree, but I feel it may be better expressed as ...

Use PrtSc when you want the quickest possible full-screen capture. support.microsoft
Use Snipping Tool when you need to grab a region, a window, annotate, delay the capture, or record the screen. neowin youtube
In short: PrtSc is the shortcut, Snipping Tool is the toolset.

It works much the same in me Linux Mint , but a little more peculiar.

ispalten · Answer

It does relate to your keyboard.

I've got a Logitech Wireless K850 and it does not have a PrtScrn that I can find on it.

I have 2 programs that can do the job though. GreenShot and Windows Snipping Tool.

Here is the Snipping Tool and how to do it:

GreenShot will sit on your Systray and a Right MB click will show you the choices:

I used Greenshot's Editor to add info to the Snipping Tool capture.

Our Dell Tower has a Dell Wireless KB and the Fn key has to be used for the Fn keys to work, not sure about the PrtScrn though?

paulgiv · Answer

Well I have made some progress on 2 fronts and I've identified the issue but not resolved it.

Firstly I have found the missing "Use the Print screen key to open screen capture" option in settings. Previously it had been located in Settings/Accessibility/Keyboard but it has now moved to Settings/Bluetooth & Devices/Keyboard. Unfortunately it was already switched on so it wasn't the cause of my issue. Then I decided to unplug my brand new Dell keyboard and plug in my scruffy/dirty 12 year old Dell keyboard that I've always used. Bingo!!! it works they way it always has. Windows key and PrtScn button together captures the entire screen.

So the problem seems to be that the keys are mapped differently on the new keyboard. I'm not sure what I will do. I could revert to using my old keyboard but it is looking rather grubby after all the use its had. I also believe I can use some keymapping software to alter my new keyboard to my needs. Not sure if there is anything inside Windows 11 that will let me do that.

paulgiv · Answer

@anne_droid​ I downloaded PowerToys and managed to map my new keyboard so that the Windows key + Print Screen key now gives me the full screen capture that my old keyboard gave. Thanks to everyone for their help.

Dell Pro Desktops

Print Screen functionality

Option 1: Make PrtSc open Snipping Tool (built‑in)

Option 2: Fully remap PrtSc to another key or shortcut (PowerToys)

Option 3: App‑specific PrtSc behaviour

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