Wednesday, April 12th 2023

Microsoft Windows 11 Print Screen Key Will Redirect to Snapping Tool

by
AleksandarK
 Discuss (41 Comments)
In the Windows operating system, the Print Screen keyboard command has been resulting in taking a screenshot for more than two decades. However, Microsoft will change the interaction by creating a screenshot in Windows 11 OS. Currently, when you press the Print Screen key, the entire window is captured, and your image gets saved, pasted to the clipboard and, if you have it enabled, the OneDrive folder too. In the latest Windows Insiders Beta Channel, the Windows 11 KB5025310 version is rolling out and changing the screenshot game. Instead of regular shots, pressing the Print Screen key now toggles the Snapping Tool, previously only used when Windows Key, Shift Key, and S key were pressed.

Microsoft is making it seem that the Snapping Tool now becomes the default screenshot tool, which is much more feature-rich compared to the traditional way of taking a screenshot. Of course, making a quick screenshot will still be favored by many. So, Microsoft has left an option to revert the future default setting by going into Settings > Accessibility > Keyboard, where you toggle off the button that says: "Use the Print Screen key to open Snipping Tool."
Source: Windows Latest

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41 Comments on Microsoft Windows 11 Print Screen Key Will Redirect to Snapping Tool

#26
progste
I just use win+prtsc to save to my screenshot folder.
Posted on Reply
#27
Vayra86
ShihabCould say the same about Snipping tool, and it would be more probable given the complexity difference between the two.


That's the problem. If it starts the application then takes the screenshot, that could potentially change the state of what's on the screen. Think contextual menu, many (most?) programs close open contextual menus when window loses focus. I haven't used Windows in a while, but this was a major issue I've had with snipping tool back then.
It just turns the approach around. Print screen doesn't always get what you want either but also offers no control over it. Snipping tool has a delay button to cover this 'issue'.

I have yet to find a situation I could not 'snip' as I would desire it. I do agree its potentially a click or two more than the PrtScr would do in the past, but you get better control in exchange, plus better user feedback on what you've done, plus the immediate ability to save to file.
Posted on Reply
#28
Wirko
Aleksandar_038Choices, choices, something that modern users apparently don't like :)
In this specific case, MS deserves some praise for adding an option, which goes against the general trend of taking away options after Windows XP. Let's hope that MS keeps the PrtSc key function at least somewhat configurable, even if their dreaded telemetry+AI tells them that 90% of users use the key in the same way, therefore the remaining 10% must be wrong.
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#29
HOkay
Aleksandar_038It is selectable, Greenshot can claim PrtSc key for itself, if it is not already claimed by DropBox, OneDrive, OneNote or some other offender... But it can be set, there are instruction on Greenshot page and even PowerShell script on superuser to de-register PrtSc button manually...
Oh fantastic, in which case this just seems like a positive move all round!
Posted on Reply
#30
AsRock
TPU addict
KaleidOr it could work like Steam, just saving screenshots to a folder..
Way to logical for MS.

Press to take screenshot and press hold for snipping tool you'd think by now.
Posted on Reply
#31
aktpu
Kohl Baas...until you can't...
This was already possible in W10, so it's unlikely that they ditch it
ShihabIf it takes a snapshot of the screen's content at pressing frame *then* pipe it to the snipping tool, I suppose it would be tolerable (to most). If it simply functions as a shortcut to launch snipping tool, that would be just stupid.


Classic PrtScn funcionality does that without requiring any delays or extra steps, because it does exactly what the name says: print the screen...
Expect it doesn't. PrintScreen used to actually print your current screen to paper, now it's just some digital file. We have strayed too far from the light of god
Posted on Reply
#32
qlum
While the snipping tool is probably a more sane default than what windows used before, I still think the better option would be to bind it to your screenshotting application which is defaulted to snipping tool but could also be changed ti a different application.

Then again I don't really use windows anymore, so I am just projecting.
Posted on Reply
#33
Calenhad
This is a welcome change. PrtSc have been obsolete for years
Posted on Reply
#34
Aleksandar_038
qlumWhile the snipping tool is probably a more sane default than what windows used before, I still think the better option would be to bind it to your screenshotting application which is defaulted to snipping tool but could also be changed ti a different application.

Then again I don't really use windows anymore, so I am just projecting.
There is that option too, you can use Greenshot and bind PrtSc to it, just need to un-bind it from previous application in advance... What would not be OK from MS side is to disable this - so far, it is possible, but in future, who knows... They may decide that snipping tool is important somehow :)
WirkoIn this specific case, MS deserves some praise for adding an option, which goes against the general trend of taking away options after Windows XP. Let's hope that MS keeps the PrtSc key function at least somewhat configurable, even if their dreaded telemetry+AI tells them that 90% of users use the key in the same way, therefore the remaining 10% must be wrong.
Damn telemetry, disaster from day one. So many wrong decisions based on stupid telemetry. Yet, Microsoft does not care about its Windows users any more. Power user using Windows is like unicorn - power users migrated to Linux, and Windows is left for gamers and ordinary users... And for them, if icon is not on the desktop, program is missing :) :) :)
AsRockWay to logical for MS.

Press to take screenshot and press hold for snipping tool you'd think by now.
Whoa, whoa, easy there... You are asking way too much. At least current solution is decent and configurable, so it is not so bad - one must be happy with small stuff.

Btw, does windows recognize "holding" a taster as a command at all? I know about multiple presses on a key for starting something (damn you, sticky keys), but holding... I think we never had that one?
Posted on Reply
#35
Shihab
Aleksandar_038It is not a problem at all - you did not use Windows for a while, but you know it alters the state of the screen??? It does not alter anything, the app is run in background, screen is left as-is, you just choose what you want to screenshot and that is it. After screenshot, you can manage your screenshot in Snipping Tool app OR just paste it / save it wherever you want.
Closing an open menu is altering the state. The content of this menu are part of said state.
Vayra86It just turns the approach around. Print screen doesn't always get what you want either but also offers no control over it. Snipping tool has a delay button to cover this 'issue'.
Not going to dwell much more on which fails more (really shouldn't rely on personal experience on those things), but let's agree that each has some use cases. Why not keep both? Snipping tool already has a shortcut. People who want to use it can Super+S or whatever it was, people who prefer and used to the silent bitmap-in-clipboard approach have PrtScn. Everyone's happy!
Posted on Reply
#37
ThrashZone
aktpuYou can change the behaviour in settings

Things have changed in decades
Hi,
Yeah you could change the function long ago it's not a new setting it's just a stupid new default :laugh:
Vayra86Except when it doesn't.
Some keyboards you'd need to use a second key before it works.
Posted on Reply
#38
lemonadesoda
Aleksandar_038And for them, if icon is not on the desktop, program is missing
LOL.

Three clicks I HATE every time I install:



And the problem with designing your OS around telemetry? Race to the bottom, lowest common denominator.
Posted on Reply
#39
ThrashZone
Hi,
Not to mention that new icon ms places on desktop/.. if you use it one day will say it's moved sooner than later :laugh:
Posted on Reply
#40
Aleksandar_038
lemonadesodaLOL.

Three clicks I HATE every time I install:



And the problem with designing your OS around telemetry? Race to the bottom, lowest common denominator.
Literally. And MS is winning that race with Windows, not that they care any more actually...
ShihabClosing an open menu is altering the state. The content of this menu are part of said state.


Not going to dwell much more on which fails more (really shouldn't rely on personal experience on those things), but let's agree that each has some use cases. Why not keep both? Snipping tool already has a shortcut. People who want to use it can Super+S or whatever it was, people who prefer and used to the silent bitmap-in-clipboard approach have PrtScn. Everyone's happy!
FOR CHRIST SAKE, do you just post nonsense out of boredom, or what? In which point you deduced that closing open menu is happening at all?

You literally invented some argument out of the blue, and now you use it again and again - and it doesn't bother you one bit to check is your argument true or not?

Because let me make it easier for you - it is not true. Snip tool DOES NOT CLOSE ANY OPEN MENUS - unlike some third-party tools. There, I solved it for you, now you can stop complaining about a non-existing problem that you invented in your head. As you can see, I can take screenshots with menu open, and it takes literally a second...



Posted on Reply
#41
Mussels
Freshwater Moderator
KaleidOr it could work like Steam, just saving screenshots to a folder..
snipping tool already saves anything you take with it, a lot of people don't seem to realise that
Posted on Reply
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