The Print Screen key functionality has been changed by Microsoft in the latest preview build of Windows 11.
In the latest preview build of Windows 11 with the version number 22624.1546, Microsoft has altered the default function of the Prt Scn (Print Screen) key. Instead of capturing the screen and copying it to the clipboard, this key will now activate the Snipping Tool – the built-in screenshot tool in Windows 11.
Print Screen key on a computer. (Photo: Enlarge).
According to Ars Technica, the option to activate the Snipping Tool with the Prt Scn key has existed since Windows 10, but users had to enable it through settings. In the new beta version of Windows 11, this option is now enabled by default.
The Prt Scn key has been around for a long time. In MS-DOS, this key was used to send the content on the screen to the printer.
Since the release of Windows 3.0 in 1990, the Prt Scn key has played the role of transferring screenshots to the clipboard. Users needed to paste it into Paint or other image editing apps for processing.
The Snipping Tool first appeared in Windows Vista in 2006. To quickly open this app, users can press the Windows + Shift + S key combination.
Even with the existence of the screenshot tool, the functionality of the Prt Scn key remained unchanged until Microsoft made the alteration in Windows 11 version 22624.1546.
The functionality of capturing the screen and copying to clipboard of the Prt Scn key as described in Windows 3.0. (Photo: Enlarge).
If users update to the new version but dislike the new Prt Scn functionality, they can revert to the old operation by going to Settings > Accessibility > Keyboard > and turning off the option Use the Print Screen button to open screen snipping.
Neowin notes that this change does not affect related shortcut keys, such as Alt + Prt Sc, which still functions to capture the currently active window and copy it to the clipboard.
Microsoft regularly refines the interface and features in Windows preview builds to gather feedback before widespread release. Therefore, the functionality of the Prt Scn key may change again or revert to its original purpose in future Windows 11 versions.
