Print Screen Button Keyboard [2025]

Microsoft’s (introduced in Windows Vista) and its successor, Snip & Sketch (and now the Snipping Tool in Windows 11), have absorbed and enhanced the Print Screen key. When users configure “Use the PrtScn button to open screen snipping,” pressing the key no longer copies blindly to the clipboard. Instead, it dims the screen, opens a small toolbar, and allows the user to select a rectangular, free-form, or full-screen snip. The captured image then opens in an editor where you can draw, highlight, or crop before saving or sharing. On modern Macs, the equivalent is Command + Shift + 4 , but the principle is the same: instant capture with immediate utility.

With her newfound knowledge, Emily was able to take her use of the Print Screen button to the next level. She started creating tutorials and guides for her colleagues, using screenshots to illustrate complex concepts and make them easier to understand. print screen button keyboard