How to take a cropped screenshot on Windows 11

How to take a cropped screenshot in Windows 11
(Image credit: Microsoft/Future)

"How to take a cropped screenshot on Windows 11" is one of the most popular queries we've come across lately as more people install the OS. Sometimes, you don't want all the extra stuff in your screenshot — you just want the details that matter.

There are several ways to take a cropped screenshot on Windows 11, but there is one particular that is easiest, fastest, and the most efficient. Check out the guide below to find out the best method for cropping Windows 11 screenshots.

How to take a cropped screenshot on Windows 11

1. Activate the Snipping Tool by pressing the following keyboard shortcut: Windows Logo Key + Shift + S. Make sure to press all of these keys simultaneously.

How to take cropped screenshots Windows 11

How to take cropped screenshots Windows 11 (Image credit: Future)

2. A four-icon menu bar will appear at the top of the screen, defaulting to the cropping tool. You should see your cursor turn into a cross.

How to take cropped screenshots Windows 11

How to take cropped screenshots Windows 11 (Image credit: Future)

3. Drag your cursor across the screen to frame your screenshot to your liking.

4. A fly-out window will appear telling you that the screenshot has been copied to clipboard and saved. You can also click on the window to edit it and share the screenshot.

How to take a cropped screenshot Windows 11

How to take a cropped screenshot Windows 11 (Image credit: Future)

5. By default, the screenshots will saved under "Screenshots" in your Pictures folder.

How to take a cropped screenshot Windows 11

How to take a cropped screenshot Windows 11 (Image credit: Future)

Note: On some laptops, like the Asus ZenBook 14 OLED, you may have a key in the function row that immediately launches the crop tool (see below).

How to take a cropped screenshot in Windows 11

(Image credit: Future)

Press it and follow steps 3 onward to get your cropped Windows 11 screenshot.

Kimberly Gedeon

Kimberly Gedeon, holding a Master's degree in International Journalism, launched her career as a journalist for MadameNoire's business beat in 2013. She loved translating stuffy stories about the economy, personal finance and investing into digestible, easy-to-understand, entertaining stories for young women of color. During her time on the business beat, she discovered her passion for tech as she dove into articles about tech entrepreneurship, the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) and the latest tablets. After eight years of freelancing, dabbling in a myriad of beats, she's finally found a home at Laptop Mag that accepts her as the crypto-addicted, virtual reality-loving, investing-focused, tech-fascinated nerd she is. Woot!