Windows 11, the latest operating system from Microsoft, has been generating buzz with its sleek design and new features. However, one change that has caught some users off guard is the potential alteration to the long-standing Print Screen keyboard shortcut, commonly written as PrtSc on keycaps.
Print Screen has been a staple in Windows for almost 20 years, allowing users to take a full-screen screenshot of their display and save it to the clipboard. It has also been used in combination with other keys for various screenshotting shortcuts. But in recent years, Microsoft has been promoting its separate app, Snipping Tool, as a more modern replacement for Snip & Sketch.
Compared to Print Screen, Snipping Tool offers a more efficient and full-featured way of capturing, saving, and editing screenshots. It eliminates the need to paste the screenshot into another program like Paint just to save it, and it can also record video of the screen. Windows Latest reports that Microsoft may swap out the functionality of the Print Screen key to just open Snipping Tool, a change that many users find to be a smart move.
Snipping Tool provides a more modern and streamlined approach to screenshotting in the Windows operating system, but some users have expressed concerns about the time it takes to open the app and select the desired option. In certain situations, a quick keypress of the Print Screen key can be a convenient and time-saving option.
Fortunately, Microsoft has also included an option to toggle between the two capabilities of the Print Screen key in the Settings under Accessibility > Keyboard. This means that users who prefer the traditional Print Screen functionality can still disable the change and continue using it as they always have.
It’s important to note that the potential alteration to the Print Screen key was found in a version of Windows 11 in the Beta Channel, and the exact rollout plan for this update is not yet clear. Microsoft may still make adjustments based on user feedback and testing before the final release of Windows 11.
In conclusion, while some users may initially resist change, the alteration to the Print Screen key in Windows 11 appears to be a sensible move by Microsoft, as Snipping Tool offers a more modern and efficient way of capturing and editing screenshots. However, the option to toggle between the two capabilities of the Print Screen key in the Settings provides flexibility for users who prefer the traditional functionality. As with any change, it may take some time for users to adapt, but ultimately, the goal is to provide an improved user experience in the latest Windows operating system.