The fastest way to take a screenshot of a selected area on Windows is the Snipping Tool shortcut.

Windows 11 and 10 Shortcut

Command 
Windows + Shift + S

This opens Snip & Sketch (new Snipping Tool). Select area to capture. Screenshot copies to clipboard automatically.

Open Snipping Tool App

Via Run command:

Command 
Windows + R

Type: snippingtool Press Enter.

Via Command Prompt or PowerShell:

Command 
snippingtool.exe

Via Start Menu: Search "Snipping Tool" and click.

Snipping Tool Modes

After opening Snipping Tool:

Rectangular Snip: Drag rectangle around area (default)

Freeform Snip: Draw custom shape

Window Snip: Capture specific window

Full-screen Snip: Capture entire screen

New Snip & Sketch (Windows 10/11)

Modern replacement for classic Snipping Tool.

Shortcut:

Command 
Windows + Shift + S

Features:

  • Rectangular mode
  • Freeform mode
  • Window mode
  • Fullscreen mode
  • Automatic clipboard copy
  • Built-in annotations

Access from Action Center: Click notification icon, click "Screen snip" quick action.

Save Screenshot

After using Windows + Shift + S:

  1. Screenshot in clipboard
  2. Notification appears
  3. Click notification to annotate and save
  4. Or paste directly into any app (Ctrl + V)

Classic Snipping Tool (Older Windows)

Windows 7/8:

Command 
Windows + R

Type: snippingtool

Or search Start Menu for "Snipping Tool."

Shortcut in classic version: None by default. Must open app manually.

Alternative: Game Bar Screenshot

Command 
Windows + Alt + PrtScn

Takes full screen screenshot without opening any tool. Saves to Videos > Captures folder.

Create Custom Shortcut

For classic Snipping Tool:

  1. Right-click desktop > New > Shortcut
  2. Location: %windir%\system32\SnippingTool.exe
  3. Name it "Snipping Tool"
  4. Right-click shortcut > Properties
  5. Click in "Shortcut key" field
  6. Press desired key combo (e.g., Ctrl + Alt + S)
  7. Click OK

Now your custom shortcut opens Snipping Tool.

Mac Equivalent

Command 
Command + Shift + 4

Drag to select area, screenshot saves to Desktop.

Linux Equivalent

Command 
Shift + PrtScn

Select area to capture. Or use gnome-screenshot -a in terminal.

Bottom Line

Fastest method on Windows:

Command 
Windows + Shift + S

Opens modern Snip & Sketch, select area, copies to clipboard automatically.

For classic Snipping Tool app, run snippingtool.exe from Run dialog (Windows + R).

Screenshot is in clipboard after capture. Paste anywhere with Ctrl + V or click notification to annotate and save.