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 “Accessibility” settings to open the screen capture tools more easily by pressing one key instead of using a shortcut.
In this guide, I will teach you how to change the Windows 11 settings to enable or disable the Print Screen key to bring up the Snipping Tool interface to take screenshots on Windows 11.
Disable Snipping Tool shortcut on Windows 11
To disable the Snipping Tool Print Screen key shortcut on Windows 11, use these steps:
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Open Settings.
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Click on Accessibility.
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Click the Keyboard page.
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Turn off the “Use the Print screen key to open screen capture” toggle switch.
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, Greeshot, etc.), 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:
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Open Settings.
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Click on Accessibility.
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Click the Keyboard page.
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Turn on the “Use the Print screen key to open screen capture” toggle switch.
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.
Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 15 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 21 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].