How To Clip On PC Windows 11: A Step-by-Step Guide

Home » How-To
James Parker Shield
How-To
Reading time icon 5 min. read

Calendar icon Published on

Fix Windows errors with Fortect:
Fortect can repair common computer errors by scanning your entire system for damaged or missing OS files and replacing them with the original, working versions. Optimize your PC in 3 simple steps:

  1. Download and Install Fortect on your PC
  2. Use the PC Scan feature to look up any Windows issues (including drivers)
  3. Right-click on Repair, and fix it within a few minutes.

Besides that, it helps you clean up junk files, fix stability problems, and get rid of annoying programs and malware traces.

Capturing moments on your PC screen has become an essential skill, whether for work, gaming, or creating tutorials. Windows 11 offers several built-in tools and methods for screen capturing, often referred to as “clipping.” This guide will walk you through the various ways to clip on your PC running Windows 11, ensuring you can easily capture and share your screen content.

This step-by-step tutorial will show you how to use the Snipping Tool, keyboard shortcuts, and even the Xbox Game Bar to achieve the perfect screen capture. By mastering these techniques, you’ll be able to quickly and efficiently create screenshots of anything displayed on your Windows 11 PC.

What’s the Best Way to Clip on Windows 11?

Using the Snipping Tool

The Snipping Tool is a built-in Windows application designed specifically for screen capturing. It offers several modes and annotation features.

  1. Open the Snipping Tool: Search for “Snipping Tool” in the Windows search bar and open the application.
  2. Select a Snip Mode: Click the “New” button to start a new snip. Before clicking “New”, click on the dropdown next to “New” to choose from different modes:
  • Rectangular Snip: Drag a rectangle around the area you want to capture.
  • Window Snip: Capture an entire window by clicking on it.
  • Full-screen Snip: Capture the entire screen.
  • Freeform Snip: Draw a custom shape around the area you want to capture.
  1. Capture the Snip: Once you’ve selected your mode, capture the desired area of your screen.
  2. Annotate (Optional): The captured snip will open in the Snipping Tool window. Here, you can use the pen or highlighter tools to annotate the image.
  3. Save the Snip: Click the save icon (floppy disk) to save the captured image to your desired location.

Using Keyboard Shortcuts

Windows 11 offers several keyboard shortcuts for quick screen captures.

  1. PrtScn (Print Screen): Press the “PrtScn” key (usually located in the upper-right corner of your keyboard). This captures the entire screen and copies it to your clipboard.
  2. Paste the Image: Open an image editor (like Paint, Paint 3D, or Photoshop) and paste the image (Ctrl + V).
  3. Save the Image: Save the image from the image editor to your desired location.
  4. Windows Key + Shift + S: Press “Windows Key + Shift + S” to activate the Snipping Tool directly. The screen will dim, and you can drag a rectangle around the area you want to capture. The snip is copied to your clipboard.
  5. Paste the Image: Open an image editor and paste the image (Ctrl + V).
  6. Save the Image: Save the image from the image editor to your desired location.
  7. Alt + PrtScn: Press “Alt + PrtScn” to capture the active window and copy it to your clipboard.
  8. Paste the Image: Open an image editor and paste the image (Ctrl + V).
  9. Save the Image: Save the image from the image editor to your desired location.

Using the Xbox Game Bar

The Xbox Game Bar, primarily designed for gamers, also offers screen capture functionality.

  1. Open the Xbox Game Bar: Press “Windows Key + G” to open the Xbox Game Bar.
  2. Locate the Capture Widget: If the Capture widget isn’t visible, click the Widget Menu icon at the top of the screen and select “Capture.”
  3. Take a Screenshot: Click the camera icon in the Capture widget to take a screenshot.
  4. Find the Screenshot: The screenshot will be saved in the “Captures” folder within your “Videos” folder.

Tips for Better Screen Captures

  • Use Annotations: The Snipping Tool’s annotation features are great for highlighting specific areas or adding notes to your screenshots.
  • Choose the Right Mode: Select the snip mode that best suits your needs. Rectangular Snip is often the most versatile.
  • Consider Third-Party Tools: Many third-party screen capture tools offer advanced features like scrolling captures, video recording, and cloud storage integration.
  • Keep Screenshots Organized: Create a dedicated folder for your screenshots to keep them organized and easy to find.

Comparing Screen Capture Methods

Feature Snipping Tool Keyboard Shortcuts Xbox Game Bar
Built-in Yes Yes Yes
Annotation Yes No No
Capture Modes Multiple Limited Single
Game-Focused No No Yes
Clipboard Copying Yes Yes No

Effortless Screen Capturing on Windows 11

Mastering these methods allows you to easily capture and share anything on your screen, enhancing your productivity and communication.

FAQ

How do I open the Snipping Tool in Windows 11? You can open the Snipping Tool by searching for it in the Windows search bar and clicking on the application.

Where are screenshots saved when using the Print Screen key? Screenshots taken with the Print Screen key are copied to your clipboard. You need to paste them into an image editor and save them from there.

Can I record video with the Xbox Game Bar? Yes, the Xbox Game Bar allows you to record video of your screen.

How do I capture a scrolling window? The built-in Snipping Tool does not support scrolling captures. You may need to use a third-party screen capture tool for this functionality.

Is there a way to delay the screenshot? Yes, the Snipping Tool has a delay option that allows you to set a timer before the screenshot is taken.

Related reading

James Parker

James Parker Shield

James Parker is a technology journalist with more than 10 years of experience covering Microsoft, Windows, and the broader consumer technology industry. He reports on major Windows releases, Surface and PC hardware, and the fast-moving world of AI assistants, turning dense release notes and product announcements into clear, practical guidance. His work spans breaking news, hands-on reviews, and step-by-step troubleshooting guides written for everyday users rather than specialists. When he is not testing a new Insider build, he is usually chasing down the small details that everyone else overlooked.

Readers help support MSpoweruser. We may get a commission if you buy through our links. Tooltip Icon

Read our disclosure page to find out how can you help MSPoweruser sustain the editorial team Read more

User forum

0 messages