How do I capture a specific area on Windows?

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I’m trying to figure out how to take a screenshot of just a specific area or region of my screen on Windows, rather than capturing the entire screen. I don’t want to have to crop the image afterwards – I’d like to select the exact area I need before taking the screenshot. What built-in Windows tools or keyboard shortcuts can I use to capture only a selected portion of my screen? I’m using Windows 10/11 and would prefer a native solution if possible, but I’m also open to hearing about any reliable third-party tools that might offer this functionality. Specifically, I want to know the step-by-step process – do I need to press certain keys, open a specific application, or use a particular tool that comes with Windows?

How to Capture a Specific Area on Windows

Method 1: Using Snipping Tool (Windows 10 and 11)

  1. Press Windows key + Shift + S to open the snipping toolbar
  2. Your screen will dim and a toolbar will appear at the top
  3. Select one of the four options:
    • Rectangular Snip: Click and drag to select a rectangular area
    • Freeform Snip: Draw any shape around the area you want
    • Window Snip: Click on a specific window to capture it
    • Fullscreen Snip: Captures the entire screen
  4. Click and drag to select your desired area
  5. The screenshot is automatically copied to your clipboard
  6. A notification will appear – click it to open the Snipping Tool app where you can annotate, save, or share the screenshot

Method 2: Using Snipping Tool Application (Legacy Method)

  1. Click the Start menu and type "Snipping Tool"
  2. Open the Snipping Tool application
  3. Click New or press Ctrl + N
  4. Choose the snip type from the Mode menu:
    • Free-form Snip
    • Rectangular Snip
    • Window Snip
    • Full-screen Snip
  5. Click and drag to capture your desired area
  6. The captured image opens in the Snipping Tool window
  7. Use the pen, highlighter, or eraser tools to annotate
  8. Click File > Save As to save the screenshot
  9. Choose your desired file format (PNG, JPEG, GIF, or HTML)
  10. Select the save location and click Save
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Method 3: Using Snip & Sketch (Windows 10)

  1. Press Windows key + Shift + S OR open the Action Center and click Screen snip
  2. Choose your snipping mode from the toolbar
  3. Select the area you want to capture
  4. The screenshot appears in a notification
  5. Click the notification to open Snip & Sketch
  6. Edit with drawing tools, crop, or add annotations
  7. Click the Save icon (floppy disk) to save
  8. Choose format and location

Method 4: Using Windows Snipping Tool App (Windows 11)

  1. Press Windows key + Shift + S or search for "Snipping Tool" in Start
  2. Click New in the Snipping Tool window
  3. Select snipping mode (Rectangle, Freeform, Window, or Fullscreen)
  4. Capture your desired area
  5. Edit using available tools (pen, pencil, highlighter, eraser, ruler, crop)
  6. Click Save icon
  7. Name your file and choose format and location

Method 5: Using Print Screen with Alt Key

  1. Press Alt + Print Screen to capture only the active window
  2. The screenshot is copied to clipboard
  3. Open Paint, Word, or any image editor
  4. Press Ctrl + V to paste
  5. Use cropping tools to select specific area if needed
  6. Save the file

Method 6: Using Xbox Game Bar

  1. Press Windows key + G to open Xbox Game Bar
  2. Click the Camera icon or press Windows key + Alt + Print Screen
  3. This captures the active window/game
  4. Screenshots are saved to: C:\Users[YourUsername]\Videos\Captures
  5. For specific area capture, you’ll need to crop afterwards

Method 7: Using PowerToys (Third-party Microsoft Tool)

  1. Download and install PowerToys from Microsoft Store or GitHub
  2. Enable Screen Ruler or use the built-in screenshot tool
  3. Configure keyboard shortcuts in PowerToys Settings
  4. Use the configured shortcut to capture specific areas
  5. Images can be saved automatically to a designated folder
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Method 8: Using ShareX (Free Third-party Tool)

  1. Download and install ShareX
  2. Press Shift + Print Screen (default hotkey)
  3. Click and drag to select the specific area
  4. The screenshot is automatically captured and processed
  5. Choose to save, copy to clipboard, or upload
  6. Extensive customization options available for capture regions

Method 9: Using Lightshot (Free Third-party Tool)

  1. Download and install Lightshot
  2. Press Print Screen key
  3. The screen dims and crosshair appears
  4. Click and drag to select your specific area
  5. Selection tools and editing options appear
  6. Click the Save icon to save locally or upload to cloud
  7. Choose between save, copy, print, or share options

Keyboard Shortcuts Summary

  • Windows + Shift + S: Quick screen snip (Windows 10/11)
  • Print Screen: Captures entire screen to clipboard
  • Alt + Print Screen: Captures active window only
  • Windows + Print Screen: Captures full screen and saves to Pictures/Screenshots folder
  • Windows + G: Opens Xbox Game Bar for captures

Default Save Locations

  • Snipping Tool/Snip & Sketch: You choose location when saving
  • Windows + Print Screen: C:\Users[YourUsername]\Pictures\Screenshots
  • Xbox Game Bar: C:\Users[YourUsername]\Videos\Captures
  • Clipboard captures: Must be pasted into an application to save

File Format Options

Most Windows screenshot tools support:

  • PNG (best quality, larger file size)
  • JPEG/JPG (compressed, smaller file size)
  • GIF (limited colors)
  • BMP (uncompressed, very large)
  • TIFF (high quality, large file size)

Published: October 3, 2025