Windows OS comes with a built-in screenshot utility called Snipping Tool that we all are well aware of. Snipping Tool utility lets you capture screenshots in free-form mode, window, rectangle mode, and full-screen mode. You just need to press Win+Shift+S hotkey to bring up or activate its screen snipping mode and use it. To make it even easier for users, Windows 11 OS provides the option to remap the Print Screen button with screen snipping mode. So, you hit the Print Screen (PrtScn or PrntScrn) key and screen snipping will be in front of you. But those who don’t want this can disable the Print Screen button to open screen snipping in their Windows 11 computer.
Disabling the Print Screen button for this purpose doesn’t mean that it will disable the Print Screen button completely on your system. You can continue using the Print Screen button for its default functionality or for other purposes. The only thing is the PrtScn/PrntScrn key won’t associate with the screen snipping task anymore. You will also be able to undo the changes anytime.
Disable the Print Screen button to open screen snipping in Windows 11
If you want to disable the Print Screen button to open screen snipping in Windows 11, then it can be done using two built-in options. These are:
- Using the Settings app
- Using the Registry Editor.
Let’s check these options one by one.
1] Using the Setting app
The steps to disable the Print Screen button (PrtScn, PrntScrn, or PrintScr) for screen snipping using the Settings app in Windows 11 are as follows:
- Use the Win+I hotkey to open the Windows 11 Settings app
- Select the Accessibility category from the left section
- Under the Interaction section on the right side, click on the Keyboard option
- Scroll down to the On-screen keyboard, access keys, and Print Screen section
- Turn off Use the Print screen button to open screen snipping button.
You can repeat the above steps and turn on the same option to remap the Print Screen button to open the screen snipping.
Related: Fix Snipping Tool This app can’t open error
2] Using the Registry Editor
When you do tweak an option in the Settings app, its Registry entry is created and changed accordingly. And, the same thing applies to this setting also. So, you can also use Registry Editor to disable the Print Screen button to open the screen snipping in Windows 11. For using this option, we advise you to backup Windows Registry first, and then follow these steps:
- In the Run Command box or Search box, type regedit, and hit Enter. This will open the Windows Registry (or Registry Editor)
- Now jump to the Keyboard key. Use this path:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Keyboard
- On the right section, look for the PrintScreenKeyForSnippingEnabled DWORD value, and double-click it
- In the Edit value box, add 0 in the Value data field
- Use the OK button.
Later, when you want to use the Print Screen button to open screen snipping using Registry Editor, you can follow the above steps. Access the PrintScreenKeyForSnippingEnabled DWORD value in
Windows Registry and put 1 in the Value data field. Save the changes using the OK button.
That’s all! Hope this helps.
Also read: How to restore old Snipping Tool in Windows 11
How do I change the screenshot button in Windows 11?
In order to change the default screenshot button in Windows 11, you need to use a hotkey management software on your computer. As of now, there is no in-built option to modify the default Print Screen keyboard shortcut. That is why a third-party application is required to replace the PrintScreen button that captured screenshots.
How do I take a screenshot without the Print Screen button in Windows 11/10?
There are multiple ways to take a screenshot without the Print Screen button in Windows 11/10. You can use:
- Win+Shift+S hotkey and open the Snipping Tool to capture screenshots
- Windows On-Screen Keyboard
- Remap the Print Screen key
- Free screen capture software.
Read next: A problem with Windows is preventing Screen Snipping from opening.
