How to Take Screenshot While in Gaming on My Windows 11 PC

Gaming on a Windows 11 PC is not just about winning matches or completing missions. Sometimes, you get a moment that is simply worth saving. It could be an amazing victory, a funny glitch, a beautiful game scene, or an achievement you want to share with your friends.

The good news is that you do not have to leave your game or switch to the desktop to capture these moments. Windows 11 includes several ways to take screenshots while you are playing, and many popular gaming platforms also have their own screenshot shortcuts.

If you are wondering how to take screenshot while in game PC, this guide explains the easiest methods, where your screenshots are saved, and what to try if the normal Print Screen button is not working.

Can You Take a Screenshot While Playing a Game on Windows 11?

Yes. Windows 11 allows you to capture screenshots while a game is running.

Depending on your keyboard, Windows settings, graphics card, and the platform you are using, you can use keyboard shortcuts such as:

• Windows + PrtScn to save a screenshot automatically.
• Windows + Alt + PrtScn to capture the game using Xbox Game Bar.
• PrtScn to copy a screenshot to the clipboard.
• Windows + Shift + S to use the Windows Snipping Tool.
• F12 for screenshots in many Steam games.

The best option depends on how you play your games.

Method 1: Use Windows + PrtScn

The easiest method is the built-in Windows screenshot shortcut.

While you are playing your game, press:

Windows + PrtScn

Windows should capture the screen without requiring you to exit the game.

If your keyboard has a dedicated Print Screen key, it may be labeled:

PrtScn, PrtSc, Print Scr, or something similar.

On some laptops and compact keyboards, you may need to press the Fn key as well.

For example:

Fn + Windows + PrtScn

After taking the screenshot, Windows normally saves it automatically.

Where are these screenshots saved?

Open File Explorer and go to:

Pictures → Screenshots

Your captured screenshots should appear there as image files.

If you use OneDrive to back up your Pictures folder, the location may instead appear under your OneDrive Pictures folder.

This method is convenient because you do not need to paste the screenshot into Paint or another application.

Method 2: Use Xbox Game Bar

For PC gaming, Xbox Game Bar is one of the most useful built-in Windows 11 features.

You can open it while your game is running without leaving the game.

Press:

Windows + G

You should see the Xbox Game Bar overlay appear on your screen.

Look for the Capture widget. It includes options for taking screenshots, recording gameplay, and capturing recent gameplay depending on your settings.

You can also use the direct screenshot shortcut:

Windows + Alt + PrtScn

Pressing this shortcut captures your game screen without requiring you to open the full Game Bar interface.

Where does Xbox Game Bar save screenshots?

Screenshots captured through Xbox Game Bar are generally saved in:

Videos → Captures

You can open File Explorer and navigate to:

This PC → Videos → Captures

This is different from screenshots taken with Windows + PrtScn, which normally go into the Pictures → Screenshots folder.

That difference is important if you are wondering why your screenshot is not appearing in the folder you expected.

Method 3: What Happens When You Press Print Screen?

This is where many beginners get confused.

If you press only:

PrtScn

Windows may capture the screen and copy the image to your clipboard rather than creating a permanent image file.

That means you might not see anything happen.

The screenshot has not necessarily disappeared. It may simply be waiting in the clipboard.

You can test this by opening Microsoft Paint.

Press:

Ctrl + V

If the screenshot was copied successfully, it should appear in Paint.

You can then select:

File → Save As

and save the image wherever you want.

Check your clipboard

You can also press:

Windows + V

This opens Windows clipboard history if it is enabled.

If your screenshot is there, you can select it and paste it into a compatible application.

So if pressing Print Screen seems to do nothing, the screenshot may simply have been copied instead of saved.

Method 4: Use Windows + Shift + S

Windows 11 also includes the Snipping Tool.

Press:

Windows + Shift + S

Your screen may become slightly dimmed and a capture toolbar will appear.

You can select different capture modes, depending on what you want to capture.

For example, you can capture:

• A rectangular area
• A specific window
• The entire screen
• A freeform area

However, this method is not always the most convenient option during fast-paced gaming because it requires you to interact with the capture interface.

For a quick gaming screenshot, Windows + Alt + PrtScn or a game’s own screenshot shortcut is usually easier.

Method 5: Take Screenshots in Steam Games

If you play games through Steam, you may not need Windows’ screenshot tools at all.

Steam has its own screenshot functionality.

For many games, the default screenshot shortcut is:

F12

While playing, press F12 at the moment you want to capture.

Steam should take the screenshot without requiring you to leave the game.

Afterward, you can access your screenshots through Steam’s screenshot manager.

Depending on your Steam version and interface, you can find them through the Steam client and your game’s screenshot section.

You can also change the screenshot shortcut if F12 conflicts with something in your game.

Why use Steam’s screenshot feature?

There is a simple advantage: Steam knows which game the screenshot belongs to.

This makes it easier to organize and manage screenshots when you play several games.

You can also upload screenshots to your Steam profile or share them with friends.

Method 6: NVIDIA Screenshot Tools

If your Windows 11 gaming PC has an NVIDIA graphics card, you may have access to NVIDIA’s gaming overlay and capture features through the NVIDIA app.

The overlay can provide options for taking screenshots and recording gameplay while you are playing.

The exact shortcut can depend on your NVIDIA software configuration, so check the keyboard shortcut settings if the default combination does not work.

This can be particularly useful if you already use NVIDIA’s software for gaming performance, driver management, or recording.

Method 7: AMD Screenshot Tools

AMD graphics card users can also use AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition for screenshots and gameplay capture.

The software includes gaming features that can work while a supported game is running.

If you have an AMD GPU, open AMD Software and check the recording and media capture settings.

You can configure keyboard shortcuts so that capturing a screenshot requires only a quick key press.

What If Print Screen Does Not Work in My Game?

If you press Print Screen and nothing appears to happen, do not immediately assume that Windows is broken.

There are several possible reasons.

1. The screenshot is going to the clipboard

As mentioned earlier, PrtScn can copy the screenshot rather than save it as a file.

Try opening Paint and pressing Ctrl + V.

2. Your keyboard requires the Fn key

Some laptops and compact keyboards combine Print Screen with another key.

Try:

Fn + PrtScn

or, depending on your keyboard:

Fn + Windows + PrtScn

3. Try Xbox Game Bar

Press:

Windows + G

If Game Bar opens, use the Capture widget to take the screenshot.

You can also try:

Windows + Alt + PrtScn

4. Your game may block certain capture methods

Some games can behave differently depending on whether they are running in fullscreen, borderless windowed, or windowed mode.

If one screenshot method does not work, try another.

For example, if Print Screen fails, try the game’s built-in screenshot function, Steam’s F12 shortcut, or Xbox Game Bar.

Fullscreen vs Borderless Windowed Mode

Your game’s display mode can sometimes affect screenshot behavior.

Most modern games offer options such as:

• Fullscreen
• Borderless Windowed
• Windowed

If your screenshot tool is not capturing the game correctly in exclusive fullscreen mode, try Borderless Windowed.

This can also make switching between applications easier, although it may have a small performance impact depending on the game and your hardware.

You do not necessarily need to change this setting just for screenshots, but it is worth trying if you are experiencing capture problems.

How to Find Your Screenshots Quickly

If you have taken a screenshot but cannot remember where it was saved, check these locations first.

Windows screenshot

Pictures → Screenshots

Xbox Game Bar screenshot

Videos → Captures

Steam screenshot

Open Steam and use its screenshot management interface to find screenshots associated with your games.

NVIDIA or AMD screenshots

These may be stored in the capture folder configured inside the respective graphics software.

If you cannot find a screenshot, use Windows Search and search for recently created image files such as .png or .jpg.

Which Screenshot Method Should You Use?

For a beginner, I would keep it simple.

If you want Windows to automatically save your screenshot, try:

Windows + PrtScn

If you want a gaming-focused option:

Windows + Alt + PrtScn

If you play through Steam:

F12

If you want to capture only a specific part of the screen:

Windows + Shift + S

And if you have an NVIDIA or AMD graphics card, consider using its built-in gaming overlay.

Third-Party Screenshot Tools for PC Gaming

You do not need third-party software just to take a screenshot. Windows 11 already provides several options.

However, dedicated gaming software can be useful if you also want to record gameplay, capture clips, stream, or manage more advanced screenshots.

OBS Studio

OBS Studio is one of the most popular free tools for gameplay recording and streaming.

It is much more powerful than a simple screenshot application, but it can take some time to learn.

If your goal is only occasional screenshots, it is probably more software than you need.

NVIDIA App

NVIDIA users can use NVIDIA’s software for gaming capture and recording features.

It is worth considering if you already have an NVIDIA graphics card.

AMD Software

AMD users can use AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition for gaming capture features and customizable shortcuts.

Steam

If you already purchase and play your games through Steam, its built-in screenshot feature is probably the easiest option.

There is no reason to install another application simply to take a basic screenshot.

My Recommended Method for Beginners

If you are new to PC gaming, start with Xbox Game Bar.

Launch your game and press:

Windows + Alt + PrtScn

After taking the screenshot, check:

Videos → Captures

If you mainly play Steam games, try:

F12

Then use Steam’s screenshot manager to view your captures.

If you simply want Windows to save screenshots automatically, use:

Windows + PrtScn

and check:

Pictures → Screenshots

These shortcuts let you capture those important gaming moments without Alt-Tabbing out of your game or interrupting your gameplay.

Final Thoughts

Taking screenshots while gaming on a Windows 11 PC is much easier once you know which shortcut does what.

The biggest thing to remember is that PrtScn does not always save a file. In some situations, it simply copies the screenshot to the clipboard, which is why it can appear as though nothing happened.

For automatic saving, Windows + PrtScn is a good starting point. For gaming, Windows + Alt + PrtScn through Xbox Game Bar is another convenient option. And if you play through Steam, F12 is often the simplest choice.

You can also explore NVIDIA or AMD’s capture features if your gaming PC has a supported graphics card.

Once you know the right shortcut, you can capture screenshots in seconds without leaving your game, interrupting a match, or missing the moment you wanted to save.

Disclaimer: The Windows 11 interface, keyboard shortcuts, screenshot locations, and gaming software features may vary depending on your Windows version, keyboard, game, graphics hardware, and installed software. Some games may restrict or handle screenshots differently.