How to take a screenshot on a Xiaomi laptop: a complete guide with pictures and videos

Creating screenshots on Xiaomi laptops is a challenge that every user faces, whether it’s saving important information, creating instructions, or fixing errors. Despite its exterior simplicity, the process can vary depending on the model (Mi Notebook Pro, RedmiBook 15, Mi Laptop Air) and the operating system version. In this article, we will discuss all possible ways, from standard hotkeys to hidden functions. MIUI PC and third-party utilities.

The peculiarity of Xiaomi laptops lies in their hybrid nature: some models run on Windows. 10/11 with branded improvements, others on Linux distributions (for example, Mi Notebook Pro X) 15 We've taken these nuances into account and developed a universal solution, and if you're looking for a way to screen a particular area of the screen, record a video from the screen, or automate the process, here are the answers.

Warning in advance: on Xiaomi laptops with pre-installed MIUI For PCs (Chinese versions), the standard Windows keyboard shortcuts may not work – you will need to activate through system settings.

1. Standard Hot Keys for Windows

Most Xiaomi laptops (like RedmiBook) 14/16 or Mi Notebook 15.6) It comes with pre-installed Windows. 10 or 11. For them, there are classic key combinations, but taking into account the characteristics of the brand keyboard.

The main combinations:

• 🖥️ PrtScn (Print Screen) – copies the entire screen to the clipboard. On some Xiaomi models, this key will have to be pressed with Fn (for example, Fn). + PrtScn).
• 🖼️ Win + PrtScn – saves a screenshot directly to the Images folder → Screenshots (format) PNG). On Xiaomi keyboards, the Win key can be indicated by the Windows logo or an inscription. MI.
• ⌨️ Alt + PrtScn – only copies the active window to the buffer (useful for fixing errors in programs).
• 🎮 Win + Alt + PrtScn – Takes a screenshot of games (only if the game is running in full screen mode via Xbox Game Bar).

Where do you look for saved screenshots? They're defaulted to:

C:\Users\[Your Username]\Pictures\Screenshots

⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi laptops with a keyboard without backlighting, the PrtScn key can be combined with SysRq. In this case, press Fn + SysRq (usually located in the upper right corner).

Press PrtScn. → Insert in Paint (the image should appear)

Try Win. + PrtScn → Check the Screenshots folder"

Make sure the Fn key is not locked (indicator on the key)

Check the presence of keyboard drivers in the "Device Manager"

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2 Screenshots via the Scissors tool (Snipping Tool)

The built-in Scissors Tool allows you to take screenshots of a selected area, window, or entire screen with a delay. This is especially convenient for Xiaomi laptops with high resolution (3K/4K), where it is important to capture only the desired fragment.

How to open it:

• 🔍 Through Windows Search: Enter “Scissors” and select the app.
• 📁 Through the Start Menu: Start → Standard. → Scissors.
• 🖱️ Hot keys: Win + Shift + S (a mini-panel will open to select the area).

Instructions for use:

1. Start the Scissors and select the mode: 🟦 Arbitrary form – draw the area with a mouse. 🟥 Rectangle - highlight a rectangle. 🟩 Window – Choose an active window. 🟨 The whole screen - full screenshot.

Click “Create” and select the desired area.

PNG/JPEG

The advantage of this method is the ability to delay screenshot (delay up to 5 seconds), which is useful if you want to grab a drop-down menu or context window.

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If the Scissors do not open, check the integrity of system files through the sfc command. /scannow In the command line (run it on behalf of the administrator).

3. Screenshots on Xiaomi laptops with MIUI PC-based

Some Xiaomi models (such as the Mi Notebook Pro X 15 for the Chinese market) come with a branded shell. MIUI It's the standard Windows keyboard shortcuts that might not work, but there are ways to do it:

How to create screenshots in MIUI PC-based:

• 🔘 Three-finger gesture: swipe three fingers down the touchpad - a screenshot menu will appear.
• 🖼️ The button in the notification bar: expand the panel from above and click the screenshot icon».
• ⌨️ Hot keys: Fn + F11 (It may differ depending on the model).

Features MIUI PC-based:

⚠️ Note: On the Chinese versions MIUI For PC, the default screenshots are saved in Chinese filename encoding. To avoid this, go to Settings. → System system → Language and region and establish English or Russian.

4 Use of Xbox Game Bar Play Panel

If you play on a Xiaomi laptop (like the Redmi G or Mi Notebook Pro X with discrete graphics), it’s convenient to use the built-in Xbox Game Bar. It allows you to take screenshots and record videos without installing third-party programs.

How to activate:

1. Open the game or application where you need to take a screenshot.
2. Press Win. + G – Xbox Game Bar will open.
3. Click the Screenshot icon (or use the Win combination) + Alt + PrtScn).
4. Screenshot will be saved in Video → Captures.

Advantages of the method:

• 🎮 Works in full-screen games (where standard keys are locked).
• 📹 You can record video at the same time (click "Record" in the same panel).
• 🔊 Captures sound from the game (if you need to save a moment with voice chat).

If the Xbox Game Bar does not open:

1. Check if it is included in the settings. → Games → Xbox Game Bar.
2. Update graphics card drivers (especially important for laptops with a NVIDIA MX or AMD Radeon).
3. Run the game in window mode – sometimes full screen mode blocks the panel.

Hot keys (PrtScn, Win)+PrtScn)

Scissors (Snipping Tool)

MIUI PC (gestures/panel)

Xbox Game Bar (for games)

Program side (Lightshot, ShareX)-->

5. Third-party programs for enhanced capabilities

If built-in tools aren't enough, consider specialized software, which offers on-the-fly editing, cloud uploading, text recognition (OCR) other functions.

Top.-5 Screenshots for Xiaomi:

How do you choose a program?

• 💻 For quick screenshots – Lightshot or ShareX.
• 🎨 For professional editing – Snagit or PicPick.
• 📤 For automatic download to the cloud – ShareX (integrates integration with Google Drive, Dropbox).

⚠️ Note: When installing Lightshot or ShareX, disable offers to install additional software (such as Yandex.Browser or McAfee). Use advanced installation (Custom Install) and uncheck unnecessary components.

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The side of the program is useful if you need: automatic file names by template, download screenshots by template FTP, Text recognition or creation of animated GIF sequenced.

6. Screenshots on Xiaomi laptops with Linux

Some Xiaomi models (such as the Mi Notebook Pro X 15 for developers) come pre-installed with Linux (Ubuntu, Deepin).

Ways for Linux:

• 🐧 PrtScn – saves a screenshot of the entire screen in ~/Pictures/.
• 🖥️ Alt + PrtScn – screenshot of an active window.
• 📌 Shift + PrtScn – Area allocation (in some distributions).
• 💻 Flameshot is an analogue of Scissors for Linux (install via sudo apt install flameshot).

If the hot keys do not work:

1. Check if they conflict with other combinations in the system settings.
2. Install. GNOME Screenshot or KSnapshot (for the first time) KDE).
3. For Ubuntu, run at the terminal: gsettings set org.gnome.settings-daemon.plugins.media-keys screenshot 'Print'

Example of Flameshot usage:

# Installation


sudo apt update && sudo apt install flameshot




Launch (area allocation)



flameshot gui




Save in the clipboard



flameshot gui -c

7. Solving screenshot problems

If screenshots are not created or saved with artifacts, check out the following points:

Frequent problems and solutions:

• 🔄 PrtScn key not working: Check if it is disabled in BIOS (Some Xiaomi have Function Key Behavior. Update keyboard drivers through Device Manager. Try an external keyboard -- if it works, the hardware problem is.
• 🖼️ Screenshots black or blank: Turn off hardware acceleration in graphics settings (for NVIDIA/AMD). Check if the screenshot is blocking the antivirus (for example, 360 Total Security in Chinese versions).
• 📁 Not saved to folder: Check access rights to C:\Users\[Name]\Pictures\. Change the save path in program settings (e.g., in Scissors»).

If the problem remains:

1. Reset the keyboard settings in the Settings → Devices → keyboard.
2. Check the system for viruses (especially if screenshots start to disappear after installing new software).
3. Create a new Windows user – if they have screenshots working, the problem is in the profile.

FAQ: Frequent questions about screenshots on Xiaomi