SMALL STEPS. USEFUL SKILLS.

Keep a picture of your screen.

Save a recipe, an important detail or something you want help with. Let’s take a screenshot on your Windows PC.

Windows 11About 2 minutes5 steps · 5 with pictures

STEP 1 OF 5

First, open Snipping Tool.

Open Start, type Snipping Tool, then select the app. Look for this window.

Microsoft screenshot of the Windows 11 Snipping Tool. The New button and camera control are at the top left. — Your screen may look slightly different

A small window titled Snipping Tool opens.

Need a little more help?+

Keep the page you want to capture open behind it. If the app looks darker or has extra buttons, that is usually a different theme or version.

Take your time. There’s no rush.

Prefer to see all the steps together?+

STEP 1

First, open Snipping Tool.

Open Start, type Snipping Tool, then select the app. Look for this window.

Keep the page you want to capture open behind it. If the app looks darker or has extra buttons, that is usually a different theme or version.

STEP 2

Choose Rectangle.

Select the camera, open the shape menu, then choose Rectangle.

This lets you choose just the part you need. Some versions display the words Rectangle mode beside the shape icon.

Microsoft screenshot with the shape menu open. Rectangle is the first option, above Window, Full screen and Freeform. — Step 2

STEP 3

Click New to begin.

Select New in the top-left corner of Snipping Tool.

Make sure the page you want is visible before you click New. Press Esc if you need to cancel.

Microsoft screenshot of Snipping Tool, with an added highlight around the New button in the top left. — Step 3

STEP 4

Drag around the part you want.

Hold the left mouse button at one corner. Drag to the opposite corner, then let go.

This example captures the Windows wallpaper; yours will show your own page. Leave out private details.

Actual Windows 11 capture screen showing a bright rectangle against a dimmed desktop. Added markers show where to hold the mouse and where to release it. — Step 4

STEP 5

Save your picture.

Open your capture (click its notification if needed). Select the Save icon, choose a folder and name, then Save.

The picture and coloured marks are Microsoft’s example, not something you need to recreate. This earlier editor has the same disk-shaped Save control; you can also press Ctrl + S. Recent versions may save automatically.

Microsoft screenshot of the Snipping Tool editor. An added highlight identifies the disk-shaped Save button at the upper right. Microsoft’s example picture contains coloured annotations. — Step 5

IF SOMETHING LOOKS DIFFERENT

A little help along the way.

A missed key or a different app version can change what you see. It doesn’t mean you’ve done anything wrong.

I cannot find Snipping Tool+

Open Start and type the full name, Snipping Tool. You can also hold the Windows key and Shift, then press S to open the capture controls directly.

I captured the wrong area+

Choose New again and draw a new rectangle. Start just outside one corner of the part you want, then drag to the opposite corner.

Where did my screenshot go?+

Check the folder you selected when saving. If your version saves automatically, check Screenshots. You can change automatic saving and its location in Snipping Tool’s Settings.

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