How to take a screenshot on a Xiaomi laptop: all the ways for RedmiBook and Mi Notebook

Taking a screenshot on a Xiaomi laptop seems like an easy task — until you encounter a custom key layout, the absence of the usual PrtSc button or specific software from the manufacturer. RedmiBook and Mi Notebook laptops often come with modified keyboards and proprietary utilities that can both simplify and complicate the process of creating screenshots. In this article, we will analyze all the current methods, from standard hotkeys to hidden MIUI for PC functions and third-party tools.

Xiaomi laptops often feature compact keyboards without a separate Print Screen key, instead, the screenshot feature can be hidden in combination with Fn or not at all in its usual form, and some models (such as the RedmiBook Pro 15 2023) pre-installed Mi Quick Shot, which conflicts with standard Windows tools. We tested all methods on current versions of Windows 10/11 and collected working solutions — including those that the official documentation does not mention Xiaomi.

1. Standard Windows Hotkeys (works on all models)

Even if your Xiaomi keyboard doesn’t have a separate PrtSc button, the basic Windows combinations should work. The key is to use them correctly, given the layout features.

Main combinations:

• 🖥️ Win + PrtSc – saves a screenshot to the Images folder → Screenshots (screen goes out for a second) works even without the PrtSc button: on Xiaomi, it is performed by the combination of Fn + Insert or Fn + F11 (model).
• 📋 Alt + PrtSc – only copies the active window (not the entire screen) to the clipboard. On RedmiBook, replace PrtSc with Fn + F11.
• ⌨️ Win + Shift + S is a call to the Scissors tool. The screen is copied into a buffer, where it can be inserted into Paint or Word.

If the keys don't work, check:

1. Is Fn Lock activated (some Xiaomi uses Fn+ESC).
2. Is it not a problem with the Mi Quick Shot program (more on this below).
3. Are the keyboard drivers updated (go to Device Manager → Keyboards).

2.Mi Quick Shot (only for laptops with MIUI for PC)

Xiaomi laptops based on MIUI for PC (such as Mi Notebook Pro X 15 or RedmiBook Pro 14 2022) come preinstalled with Mi Quick Shot utility.It intercepts standard keyboard shortcuts, so conventional methods may not work.

How to make a screen with Mi Quick Shot:

1. Press Fn + F7 (on some models, Fn + F11) and the toolbar will appear at the top of the screen.
2. Select a mode: 📸 Rectangular area – highlight part of the screen with a mouse. 🖥️ Full screen – screen of the entire desktop. 🪟 Active window – a snapshot of only an open application.

C:\Users\[Your Name]\Pictures\MiQuickShot

Problem: If Mi Quick Shot conflicts with standard Windows keys, you can turn it off:

⚠️ Warning: After deactivation of the Mi Quick Shot, branded gestures (for example, a three-finger swipe screenshot on the touchpad) will stop working. → Mi Quick Shot → Settings → Hot keys and reset the parameters.

Is the utility open in treya (batch) 📷 lower-right)|

Is the function activated in settings (Start → Mi Quick Shot → Enable)|

Does it conflict with other programs (e.g. ShareX or Lightshot)|

Updated software via Mi PC Suite-->

3 Screenshot via Scissors (Snipping Tool)

The built-in Scissors utility (or Snipping Tool in English) is a universal way to screen any laptop, including Xiaomi, allowing you to highlight arbitrary areas, add notes and save pictures in different formats.

How to open and use:

• 🔍 Press Win. + S, enter "Scissors" and select the application.
• 📏 In the top panel, select mode: Arbitrary form - draw the area with the mouse. Rectangle - standard screenshot. Window - snapshot of the active window. Full screen (analogue PrtSc).
• 🖌️ After creation, you can edit the screen (marker, eraser, text selection).
• 💾 Save the file through the file → Save as (formats: PNG, JPEG, GIF, HTML).

On Xiaomi laptops with a touch screen (for example, Mi Notebook Pro X 15 OLED) in the "Scissors" available handwriting mode - you can make notes with a stylus right on the screenshot.

4. Screenshot via Xbox Game Panel (for Windows 10/11)

If you play on a Xiaomi laptop or just want to quickly take a screen without unnecessary software, use the built-in Xbox gaming panel. It works even on non-gaming devices and saves high-quality shots.

Instructions:

1. Open the right window or game.
2. Press Win + Alt + PrtSc (on Xiaomi – Win + Alt + Fn + F11).
3. A notification will appear "Screenshot saved".
4. To find the screen, go to Start → Xbox Console Companion → Gallery or open the folder C:\Users\[Your name]\Videos\Captures.

Advantages of the method:

• 🎮 Keeps the screens in PNG quality-free.
• 📹 You can record screen video (click Win). + Alt + R).
• 🔄 Automatically removes old screens (configurable in Xbox settings).

⚠️ Attention: If the combination of Win + Alt + PrtSc is not working, check if the game bar is enabled in Windows settings: → Games → Xbox gaming panel.On some Xiaomi laptops, this feature is disabled by default to save resources.

5. Third-party programs for screenshots (if the standard methods do not work)

If the built-in Windows or Mi Quick Shot tools don't work, install one of the specialized programs. They offer advanced features: video recording, text recognition (OCR), cloud upload and editing.

Top.-3 Programs for Xiaomi laptops:

• 📸 ShareX is a free, open source utility that supports: delayed screenshots (timer), automatic download to Google Drive, Dropbox or Imgur. Text recognition (OCR) The disadvantage is that it's a complex interface for beginners.
• ⚡ Lightshot is a simple, fast program. It allows you to: highlight areas with a mouse with precise border settings. Add arrows, text and blur. Save prnt.sc to the cloud (the link is copied automatically). Minus: no video recording of the screen.
• 🎥 Snagit is a paid, but most functional tool. Includes: Screen recording with a webcam (PIP-Templates for creating instructions. Integration with Microsoft Office and Slack. Minus: trial runs 15 days.

How to choose a program:

• For fast screens, lightshot.
• For professional use (reviews, guides) - Snagit.
• For automation (loading to the cloud, OCR) - ShareX.

6. Screenshot with touchpad (gestures on RedmiBook Pro)

Xiaomi RedmiBook Pro laptops (2022-2026) support touchpad gestures for quick screenshots, which only works when Mi Quick Shot is active and options are enabled in the settings.

How to make a screen gesture:

1. Check that Mi Quick Shot is enabled (Icon) 📷 tremble).
2. Touch the touchpad with three fingers and swipe down (swipe down).
3. Release your fingers – the area selection menu will appear (as in the standard Mi Quick Shot mode).
4. Select the desired fragment or click "Full screen".

If the gesture doesn't work:

• Update your touchpad drivers via Mi PC Suite.
• Go to Start → Settings → Devices → Touchbar and turn on the option “Three-finger gestures”.
• Restart your laptop – sometimes the feature is reset after Windows updates.

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If screenshots through the touchpad are blurred, turn off the option “Smoothing the edges” in the Mi Quick Shot settings (Start → Mi Quick Shot → Settings → Image Quality).

7. Problem Solving: Screenshots are not saved or black

Sometimes screenshots on Xiaomi laptops don’t save, turn black, or are saved in unexpected formats, and here are the most common reasons and ways to fix them:

Problem 1: Screenshots are not saved to the folder.

• 📁 Check the default path: for Mi Quick Shot, it's Pictures\MiQuickShot, for Windows - Images / Screenshots.
• 🔧 If the folder is missing, create it manually.
• 🛠️ Run Disk Check (in the command line, type chkdsk C: /f and reboot the PC).

Problem 2: Screenshots are black or blank.

• 🖥️ Update your graphics card drivers (via GeForce Experience or AMD Adrenalin).
• 🔄 Switch to the built-in graphics (on Xiaomi with the NVIDIA MX or AMD Radeon could be a conflict).
• 🚫 Turn off hardware acceleration in the browser (if you take a screenshot from the page): Settings → System system → Turn off hardware acceleration.

Problem 3: The hot keys don’t work.

• 🔑 Check if the Fn keys are switched off. BIOS (enter BIOS down F2 When downloading and find "Hotkey Mode").
• 🛡️ Disable the antivirus (sometimes Avast or Kaspersky will block screenshot programs).
• 🔄 Reinstall Mi Quick Shot via Mi PC Suite.

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If neither method works, try taking a screenshot through a virtual machine (like VirtualBox) or connecting an external keyboard with a PrtSc button to help localize the problem (hardware or software).

FAQ: Frequent questions about screenshots on Xiaomi