7 Hidden Ways To Screen Shot On PC: The Ultimate 2025 Guide (Windows 11 & Mac)

Capturing your PC screen is a fundamental skill, but the old "Print Screen" button is now the least efficient method. As of December 12, 2025, modern operating systems like Windows 11 and the latest macOS releases have introduced powerful, built-in tools that go far beyond a simple static image, offering features like annotation, video recording, and precise area selection. This comprehensive guide breaks down the seven best, most up-to-date methods to ensure you are using the fastest and most feature-rich screen capture techniques available today.

Whether you need to grab a quick image for a work document, record a troubleshooting video, or take a perfect screenshot of a specific window, this article will show you exactly how to do it on both Windows and Mac, focusing on the latest tools and keyboard shortcuts that save you time.

The Definitive Guide to Screen Capturing on Windows 11

Windows 11 has consolidated and upgraded its screen capture functionality, making the dedicated Snipping Tool the primary and most powerful utility. Forget the basic PrtScn key; the modern shortcuts offer immediate editing and sharing capabilities.

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Method 1: The Modern Master Shortcut (Windows logo key + Shift + S)

This is the single most important shortcut for any Windows 11 user. It instantly launches the Snipping Tool's screen overlay, allowing you to select and capture an area without having to open the full application first.

• How to Use: Press Windows logo key + Shift + S simultaneously.
• The Result: Your screen will dim, and a small toolbar will appear at the top.
• Capture Options: You can choose from four main snip types: Rectangular Snip, Free-form Snip, Window Snip, or Full-screen Snip.
• Where It Goes: The screenshot is automatically copied to your clipboard and appears as a notification in the bottom right corner. Clicking the notification opens the Snipping Tool for immediate editing and annotation.

Method 2: The Easiest Full-Screen Capture (Windows logo key + PrtScn)

If you need to capture the entire screen and save the file instantly without any editing, this classic combination remains the fastest way to save a full-screen image directly to a folder.

• How to Use: Press Windows logo key + PrtScn (Print Screen).
• The Result: Your screen will briefly dim to confirm the capture.
• Where It Goes: The image file is automatically saved as a PNG file in your Pictures > Screenshots folder. This bypasses the clipboard and is perfect for batch captures.

Method 3: The Hidden Video Recorder (New Snipping Tool Feature)

One of the freshest and most unique features in the Windows 11 Snipping Tool is the ability to record video clips of your screen. This functionality was rolled out to users to replace the need for third-party screen recording software for simple tasks.

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• How to Use: Open the Snipping Tool (search for it in the Start menu).
• The Process: Click the Video Camera icon (next to the standard camera icon) to switch to 'Record' mode. Click 'New,' select the area you want to record, and hit 'Start.'
• Advanced Functionality: Microsoft is continually updating this tool, with tests underway for new features like "Capture & Notes" and the ability to add text directly to your screenshots within the editor, further boosting its utility as a powerful screen capture tool.

Mastering Screen Capture on Mac (macOS)

Apple’s macOS uses a consistent, three-tier system of keyboard shortcuts. Unlike Windows, the captured image files are saved directly to your desktop by default, making them easy to access immediately.

Method 4: Full-Screen Capture on Mac (Shift + Command + 3)

This is the Mac equivalent of the Windows Full-screen capture, instantly grabbing everything visible on all connected displays.

• How to Use: Press Shift + Command (⌘) + 3.
• The Result: A camera shutter sound will play (if volume is on), and a thumbnail of the screenshot will briefly appear in the corner of your screen.
• Where It Goes: The file is saved as a PNG to your desktop.

Method 5: Capture a Selected Area on Mac (Shift + Command + 4)

The most common and useful Mac shortcut allows you to select a specific rectangular area of the screen to capture.

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• How to Use: Press Shift + Command (⌘) + 4.
• The Result: Your cursor will turn into a crosshair. Click and drag to select the desired area. Release the mouse button to take the screenshot.

Method 6: The Mac Screenshot Tool (Shift + Command + 5)

Introduced in macOS Mojave, this is the most powerful and comprehensive screen capture tool on Mac, similar to the Windows Snipping Tool. It opens a floating toolbar with options for both static screenshots and screen recordings.

• How to Use: Press Shift + Command (⌘) + 5.
• The Toolbar: The toolbar provides options to capture the entire screen, a window, or a selected portion. It also includes tools for full-screen and selected-portion video recording.
• Options Menu: This menu lets you choose where to save the screen capture (Desktop, Documents, Clipboard, etc.) and set a timer delay (5 or 10 seconds), which is perfect for capturing a drop-down menu or a specific moment in an animation.

Advanced & Professional Screen Capture Tools

While the built-in operating system tools are excellent for most users, certain professionals, designers, and developers require more advanced features like scrolling screenshots, cloud integration, or advanced annotation tools. These third-party applications provide superior screen capture tools and functionality.

Method 7: Third-Party Screen Capture Software

For users who need to annotate screenshots with professional precision, capture scrolling web pages, or manage a large library of screen captures, dedicated applications are essential.

• Greenshot: A lightweight and free tool for Windows that is highly praised for its robust annotation features and quick export options to applications like Microsoft Office or popular image editors.
• SnagIt: Considered the industry standard, SnagIt is a paid tool for both Windows and Mac that offers features like panoramic/scrolling capture, advanced image editing, and built-in video recording and trimming.
• Windows Game Bar (Windows key + G): While primarily for gaming, the Game Bar's capture widget is a fast way to take a screenshot or record a video of the currently focused application window. This is a great alternative to the Snipping Tool for quick video clips.

By moving beyond the simple PrtScn key, you gain access to powerful features like video capture, instant annotation, and precise area selection. Whether you rely on the multi-functional Windows logo key + Shift + S shortcut or the versatile Shift + Command + 5 tool on Mac, mastering these modern screen capture tools is key to efficiency in 2025.