How To Screenshot In Windows Without Keyboard

Many Windows users assume that the Print Screen key is the only way to capture a screenshot. In reality, there are several built‑in tools and free utilities that let you snap the whole screen, a single window, or a custom region without reaching for the keyboard. This guide walks you through four reliable methods that work on Windows 10 and later.

1. Use the Snipping Tool (Windows 10)

The Snipping Tool is a native Windows app that offers quick, mouse‑driven screenshot options.

  1. Open the Start menu and type Snipping Tool. Click the app to launch it.
  2. In the toolbar, click the drop‑down arrow next to New and choose one of the four modes:
    • Rectangular snip – draw a box around the area you want.
    • Freeform snip – trace an irregular shape.
    • Window snip – select a specific window.
    • Full‑screen snip – capture the entire display.
  3. After you make a selection, the screenshot appears in the editor where you can annotate, copy, or save it as a PNG or JPEG file.

This method requires only a mouse click and works even if your keyboard is missing or non‑functional.

2. Leverage the Game Bar

Windows 10’s Game Bar, originally designed for gamers, also doubles as a screenshot utility. It can be activated without a keyboard shortcut.

  1. Open the app or window you want to capture.
  2. Click the Start button, then select Settings > Gaming > Xbox Game Bar and make sure the feature is turned on.
  3. At the top of the screen, click the Capture widget (it looks like a camera icon). If you don’t see the widget, click the Game Bar overlay button that appears in the upper‑right corner of the window.
  4. Press the camera icon in the widget to take a screenshot. The image is saved automatically to the Videos\Captures folder.

Because the Game Bar is launched from the mouse, you never need a keyboard shortcut to capture the screen.

3. Use Microsoft Power Automate Desktop

Power Automate Desktop (formerly WinAutomation) includes a visual flow that can take screenshots with a single mouse click.

  1. Download and install Power Automate Desktop (free for personal use).
  2. Open the application and create a new flow.
  3. Add the Take screenshot of screen action. You can choose Full screen, Active window, or Custom region.
  4. Save the flow and click the Run button whenever you need a screenshot. The file is stored in the location you specify.

This approach is especially handy for users who need to take repeated screenshots as part of a larger automation routine.

4. Install a Free Third‑Party Utility

If you prefer a lightweight tool