Palash Volvoikar / Android Authority
TL; DR
- A new Windows 11 update is available in the beta channel.
- If you install this update or a newer version, it will change the function of your Print Screen key.
- The new default function will now open the new Snipping Tool.
A new update has arrived for Windows 11 in the beta channel – an insider program. This update will bring a divisive change that some might welcome and others will probably hate.
When you want to take a screenshot of your screen, you can press the dedicated Print Screen (Prt Sc) button on your keyboard. This screenshot will automatically be saved to the clipboard where you can paste it into an application and do whatever you want with it. However, this will not be the default function in the future.
The latest Windows 11 update – KB5025310 – changes the function of the Prt Sc key to open the new biopsy tool. Windows previously had a snipping tool, but this new tool combines the best features of the old tool and the Snip & Sketch app. Therefore, screenshots will not be automatically saved to the clipboard.
Now when you use the Prt Sc key, the snipping tool opens and lets you edit the screenshot, which you can save later. This change will eventually come to all Windows users, unless you previously changed the option, it will retain the setting you chose. Fortunately, Microsoft will allow you to revert the default behavior to the original function if you wish. All you have to do is enter Settings > Accessibility > Keyboard.
The problem with the Prt Sc key’s current default function is that when you press it, Windows doesn’t tell you what happened. This can be confusing, especially for people who are new to the Windows operating system. So while this decision may irritate some, it may make the operating system a bit friendlier for others.