Microsoft has been attempting to modify nearly every Windows feature, from the taskbar to notifications. Microsoft is modifying how the Print Screen key functions, i.e. its default behavior, with the release of Windows 11 KB5025310 for the Beta channel.
If your laptop has a dedicated Print Screen key, you can select it to capture a screenshot and save it to the clipboard immediately. You can transfer the screenshot into any program, such as Paint, and modify it as you see fit. This has been the default behavior of the Print Screen key since its inception (PrtSc).
KB5025310 modifies the default behavior for all users. The Print Screen key will launch the new Snipping Tool after installing this or a later update. For those unaware, Windows 11’s new Snipping Tool incorporates the finest features of the legacy Snipping Tool and Snip & Sketch app.
This indicates that Windows 11 will not copy screenshots to the clipboard. Instead, it will launch the Snipping Tool so you can edit and save the screenshot later. Fortunately, it is possible to restore the original behavior.
To restore the traditional Print Screen key, navigate to Settings > Accessibility > Keyboard and modify the desired setting.
It is important to note that Microsoft is not altering other screenshot methods or keyboard shortcuts in Windows 11. This new behavior may be more user-friendly for Windows operating system novices.
Currently, when you select Print Key, Windows does not indicate what occurred. There is no notification or indication that a screenshot was taken unless you have installed an app such as ShareX. This can be confusing for new users, so Microsoft has set PrtSc to its app by default.
Other enhancements in Windows 11 KB5025310
In KB5025310, Microsoft improves the efficacy of the Search bar in Windows Settings. You’ll observe that the search bar in settings is now considerably speedier and can display suggestions as you type more quickly.
Microsoft restricts the number of pages in Alt+Tab and Snap Assist to reduce performance issues. There is now a limit of 20 most recent tabs, which can be altered via Settings > Multitasking.
There have been numerous problem corrections. Microsoft, for instance, fixed a bug that prevented the touch keyboard, emoji, and voice input interfaces from launching. A problem has been rectified in which buttons in the Pinyin IME’IME’stings flyout were inoperable.
The company is aware of at least one problem with the Windows 11 update. The issue results in the taskbar search bar displaying a daily rotating search highlight rather than the Bing icon.