How to enable (or disable) Snipping Tool Print Screen key on Windows 11

• Windows 11 maps the “Print Screen” key to the Snipping Tool by default.
• You can enable or disable this behavior in Keyboard settings.
• Turning it off restores the “Windows key + Shift + S” shortcut.
• Disabling the shortcut lets other screenshot apps use the Print Screen key.

UPDATED 12/17/2025: On Windows 11, the system remaps the Print Screen (Prt Scr) key to the Snipping Tool by default to make it easier to take screenshots. However, if you want to use another app, you will notice that it won’t be able to register the print key on the keyboard, but you can always change this behavior for any reason, including if you’re comfortable using the previous default “Windows key + Shift + S” keyboard shortcut.

In the same way, if pressing the Print Screen key doesn’t open the Snipping Tool interface, you can change the “Keyboard” settings to open the screen capture tools more easily by pressing one key instead of using a shortcut. 

In this guide, I will show you how to change Windows 11 settings to enable or disable the Print Screen key, which opens the Snipping Tool interface to capture screenshots.

• Disable Snipping Tool shortcut on Windows 11
• Enable Snipping Tool shortcut on Windows 11
• FAQs about the Print Screen key mapping to the Snipping Tool

Disable Snipping Tool shortcut on Windows 11

To disable the Snipping Tool Print Screen key shortcut on Windows 11, use these steps:

1. Open Settings on Windows 11.

2. Click on Bluetooth & devices.

3. Click the Keyboard page.

4. Turn off the “Use the Print screen key to open screen capture” toggle switch to disable the Snipping Tool keyboard shortcut integration. 

   

Once you complete the steps, the Snipping Tool will default to the “Windows key + Shift + S” keyboard shortcut to bring up the screen capture tools, and you can now assign the “Print Screen” key to another screenshot application.

If you’re assigning the Print Screen key to another app (such as Lightshot or Greenshot), you may need to restart the app or the computer to apply the changes.

Enable Snipping Tool shortcut on Windows 11

To use the keyboard’s Print key instead of the “Windows key + Shift + S” shortcut to bring up the menu, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.

2. Click on Bluetooth & devices.

3. Click the Keyboard page.

4. Turn on the “Use the Print screen key to open screen capture” toggle switch to enable the Snipping Tool keyboard shortcut. 

   

Once you complete the steps, press the Print Screen button instead of the “Windows key + Shift + S” keyboard shortcut to quickly take a screenshot on Windows 11.

In older versions of the operating system, the settings were located on Settings > Accessibility > Keyboard.

FAQs about the Print Screen key mapping to the Snipping Tool

Here’s a list of frequently asked questions (FAQs) and answers about managing the Print Screen key mapping on Windows 11.

Why does the Print Screen key open Snipping Tool on Windows 11?

Windows 11 remaps the Print Screen key to open the Snipping Tool by default, making taking screenshots faster and more accessible without a keyboard shortcut.

Can I disable the Print Screen key in Snipping Tool?

Yes. You can disable this behavior from Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Keyboard by turning off the “Use the Print screen key to open screen capture” toggle.

What happens after I disable the Print Screen shortcut?

When the setting is turned off, Windows 11 reverts to the classic “Windows key + Shift + S” shortcut to open the Snipping Tool, and the Print Screen key becomes available for other apps.

Can I use the Print Screen key with another screenshot app?

Yes. Disabling the Snipping Tool integration prevents third-party screenshot apps such as Lightshot, Greenshot, or ShareX from detecting and using the Print Screen key.

What if pressing Print Screen does not open Snipping Tool?

If the Print Screen key does nothing, check Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Keyboard and make sure the “Use the Print screen key to open screen capture” option is enabled.

Where was this setting located in older versions of Windows 11?

In earlier Windows 11 releases, the Print Screen setting was found under Settings > Accessibility > Keyboard, rather than on the Keyboard page under “Bluetooth & devices.”

Update December 17, 2025: This guide has been updated to ensure accuracy and reflect changes to the process.