How to take a screenshot on a Xiaomi laptop: all ways

Users often face the need to quickly save a screen image, whether to save an important document, create instructions or fix an error in the system. Owners of devices from the Chinese giant, who switched to laptops of the brand, may experience temporary difficulties with navigation on the keyboard, as the location of the functional keys here is different from usual standards. Understanding how to take a screenshot on a Xiaomi laptop is a basic skill necessary for comfortable operation of the equipment.

Modern operating systems provide many built-in tools for image capture, but hardware features require special attention. In this article, we will discuss in detail all possible options for creating screenshots, from classic keyboard shortcuts to advanced cloud services. You will learn about the nuances of working with the Mi Notebook and RedmiBook, and get answers to troubleshooting questions.

Don’t ignore software features that are often more convenient than standard methods. We’ll look at both Windows built-in tools and specific utilities that may be preinstalled or recommended for installation. The right method depends on whether you need instant file saving or complex processing before sending.

Use of Print Screen and its analogues

The most obvious and versatile way to capture the current state of the monitor is to use a special button on the keyboard. On Xiaomi laptops, it is often denoted as PrtSc, Print Screen or has an abbreviated name. Many models of the brand have the need to use the Fn modifier key, since the basic functions of the F1-F12 keys or specific buttons can be inverted.

When you single-click on PrtSc, the clipboard image is copied to memory, but not saved as a file. To take a screenshot and immediately get the finished file, you need to use the Win + PrtSc combination. The screen at this point can briefly darken, which signals the successful execution of the command. The file will automatically be saved in the Images → Screenshots folder.

It is important to note that on some compact laptops, the Print Screen key can be combined with another function, such as deletion of the character or sound control. In this case, the use of Fn becomes mandatory. If standard methods do not work, check the BIOS/UEFI settings, where you can sometimes change the behavior of the function keys.

Win + Shift + S key combination and Scissors tool

A more flexible and modern tool in the Windows ecosystem is the Win + Shift + S combination. This method allows you not only to copy the entire screen, but also to select a specific area, which is especially true when working with large monitors or when you need to hide sensitive information.

At the top of the screen, you'll see a toolbar that offers multiple modes of operation: rectangular highlighting, arbitrary shape highlighting, capture a single window or a full screen. By choosing the right mode, you can create a screenshot of a particular part of the interface, which is much more convenient than then cropping the image in the editor.

⚠️ Warning: Once the area is highlighted, the image is captured in the clipboard. If you don't paste it into the app or save it through a pop-up notification, it will be overwritten the next time you copy it.

For those who prefer the classic interface, the Scissors app remains available in the system, and it can be found through a search on the Start menu, which allows you to take screenshots with a delay in time, which is useful for fixing contextual menus or pop-up prompts that disappear when you press the keys.

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Use Screen Fragment mode to create quick instructions, as it allows you to instantly annotate the selected area before saving.

Xbox Game Bar for Multimedia

The Windows-built gamebar was originally designed for gamers, but it’s also great for regular users who need to quickly take a screenshot without unnecessary action. To activate this tool, just press the Win + G combination. The panel interface will overlap the desktop, offering performance, sound and capture widgets.

The Capture widget has a camera button that you click on to create a screenshot, and you can use the Win + Alt + PrtSc hot key to snap an active window instantly, and the feature of this method is that the images are saved to a separate Video → Captures folder, which helps keep them in order, separate from the usual photos.

This method is especially effective when you need to capture a process in dynamics or when standard methods are blocked by some applications, but it is worth remembering that the Game Bar may not work on the desktop or in the Explorer, activating only inside running applications.

Specificity of the Xiaomi keyboard and functional keys

Xiaomi and RedmiBook laptops often feature minimalist keyboards, where some keys are dual-purpose. For example, the F10 or F12 button can perform the Print Screen function. In this case, to take a screenshot, you need to press the Fn key and the corresponding function key.

Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the screenshot is not taken, this may be due to locking the function keys through special drivers or system settings. Check for preinstalled software from a manufacturer such as Xiaomi Service, where there may be keyboard settings.

Also worth paying attention to the cleanliness of the keyboard: sticking the Fn or Ctrl key can lead to unpredictable behavior when trying to take a screenshot. Regular cleaning of the device prolongs its life and ensures that all functions work correctly.

Cloud services and synchronization through Mi Cloud

Xiaomi’s ecosystem offers convenient data synchronization capabilities, including screenshots. If your laptop has a Mi Cloud sync utility installed, screenshots can be automatically uploaded to the cloud, allowing you to instantly access an image from your phone or tablet.

To set up this functionality, you need to log into your Mi Account via system settings or a special application. Make sure you select a folder to sync screenshots, which is especially useful for those who work in a laptop-smartphone bundle and often transfer information between devices.

Cloud storage is also a reliable way to back up important visual information, and even if your laptop hard drive breaks, your screenshots will remain safe in the cloud.

Third-party programs for advanced users

Standard Windows tools are often not enough for professional work. Programs like Lightshot, Snipaste or Greenshot offer advanced functionality: downloading to a hosting link, advanced editing, text recognition (OCR) and managing the history of the clipboard.

Installing these utilities on the Xiaomi Notebook is standard, but make sure they don’t conflict with the system hotkeys. Many of them allow you to customize your own combinations, which is convenient if the standard ones are busy with laptop drivers.

Using specialized software improves productivity, especially if screenshots are part of the workflow, and the ability to instantly add arrows, text, or blur sensitive data saves time.

⚠️ Note: When installing third-party software, download it only from official developer sites. Screen capture software has deep access to the system, and using unverified software can lead to data leakage.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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The fastest way to get a file with a screenshot is the Win + PrtSc combination, and Win + Shift + S is the best way to highlight a fragment.