How to Take and Annotate Screenshots on Windows 11

Master the Snipping Tool and keyboard shortcuts to capture, edit, and share precise screenshots on Windows 11.

1. Trigger the screen capture overlay. Press the Windows key + Shift + S simultaneously. The screen will dim, and a small toolbar will appear at the top center of your display.
2. Choose your capture mode. Select one of the four icons on the toolbar: Rectangular, Freeform, Window, or Fullscreen. For most tasks, the default Rectangular mode is the most efficient.
3. Define the capture area. Click and drag your cursor to highlight the area you wish to capture. Once you release the mouse button, the image is automatically copied to your clipboard.
4. Open the Snipping Tool editor. Click the notification that appears in the bottom right corner of your screen to open your capture in the Snipping Tool editor. Use the annotation tools at the top to draw, highlight, or crop the image as needed.
5. Export or copy your file. Click the disk icon in the top right corner to save the image to your PC, or click the copy icon to paste it directly into an email, document, or messaging app.