[Tip] Restore Classic Print Screen (PrtScn) Key Behavior in Windows 11

In newer versions of Windows 11, pressing the “Print Screen” (PrtScn) key on the keyboard launches new Snipping Tool app to capture the screenshot. If you want to restore the old classic Print Screen key functionality to direct copy the full screenshot to clipboard without using Snipping Tool app, this article will help you.

In recently released Moment 3 update for Windows 11, Microsoft has changed the default behavior of “Print Screen” (PrtScn) key. Now whenever the user presses Print Screen key, Windows 11 opens the built-in Snipping Tool app to take the screenshot.

Following screenshot shows the Snipping Tool app’s toolbar appearing at the top of the screen:

The user can select any option such as Rectangular mode, Freeform mode, Window mode or Fullscreen mode from the toolbar. As soon as the user selects screen area to take the screenshot, a notification is shown to notify the user about the captured screenshot. If the user clicks on the notification, Snipping Tool app opens the screenshot to allow the user view or edit the captured screenshot.

The screenshot is also automatically saved in default Screenshots folder where other screenshots taken using WIN+PrtScn key are stored. The screenshots taken using Snipping Tool are saved with the name using “Screenshot YYYY-MM-DD HHMMSS.png” format where YYYY is the year number, MM is month number, DD is date, HH is the hour, MM is minute and SS is second.

Although Snipping Tool is an improved version of taking screenshots but some Windows 11 users may not like this change. In older versions of Windows 11, the Print Screen key used to capture the screenshot to clipboard and the user could paste the screenshot in any image editing app.

Fortunately, Microsoft has provided an option to disable the new Snipping Tool functionality and restore classic Print Screen behavior in Windows 11.

If you also want to bring back good old behavior of Print Screen key in your Windows 11 device, following steps will help you:

1. Open Settings app from Start Menu. Alternatively, you can press WIN+I keys together to directly launch Settings app.

2. Now click on Accessibility tab or section present in left-side pane.

3. In right-side pane, scroll down to bottom and click on “Keyboard” option.

4. On the Keyboard settings page, you’ll see a new toggle option “Use the Print screen key to open Snipping Tool“.

To restore classic Print Screen key behavior, set the toggle option to OFF.

That’s it. It’ll immediately restore the old classic behavior of Print Screen key in your Windows 11 device and now the screenshots will be saved to clipboard directly without launching Snipping Tool app.

PS: If you want to enable new Snipping Tool functionality, set the above mentioned toggle option to ON.

NOTE: You can still access Snipping Tool app to capture screenshots by pressing WIN+Shift+S hotkey.

BONUS TIP: Windows 10 also contains similar feature which is disabled by default. Interested Windows 10 users can enable Snipping Tool (Snip & Sketch) app upon pressing Print Screen key using following article:

[Tip] Use “Print Screen” Key to Take Screenshots Using “Snip & Sketch” App in Windows 10

Also Check:

[Tip] Use “Win+Alt+PrtScn” Hotkey to Take Program Screenshots in Windows 10

[Tip] Use “Win+Shift+S” Hotkey to Take Selected Area Screenshot in Windows 10

[FIX] Screen Won’t Dim When You Press Win+PrtScn keys to Save Screenshots in Windows