No Print Screen key on your Logitech MX Mechanical keyboard? No problem

I recently upgraded to a new keyboard I’m really happy with: the Logitech MX Mechanical keyboard. It’s wireless, the keys are backlit, and the tactile feedback helps me type faster—about 10-20 WPM faster—without producing too much noise. The keystrokes also feel more responsive. I can even connect the keyboard to up to three different devices. The keyboard was a bit pricy but was definitely worth the cost.

However, when I first tried out and bought this keyboard, one of the things that was not on my mind was the Print Screen key. I attempted to take a screenshot one day only to find a bunch of symbols at the top right of my keyboard, none of which had anything to do with Print Screen.

Windows does let you use the Snipping Tool (Window Key + Shift + S) to take screenshots. fn + F7 on this keyboard, represented by a sprite with a camera and a square snip behind it, also brings up the same tool. But that is not the tool I am referring to. Instead, I prefer the old-fashioned Print Screen tool that lets you take screenshots with a single Print Screen keystroke, or capture just the active window by typing Alt + Print Screen.

Using the Logi Options+ software that comes with the keyboard, I reconfigured fn + F7 to use Print Screen instead of Snipping Tool. Without any additional steps, Alt + fn + F7 captures the active window.

How to configure MX Mechanical for Print Screen

1. Open the Logi Options+ app.
2. Select the MX Mechanical keyboard.
3. Select KEYS.
4. Select the Screen snip key, or another available key of your choice.
5. Expand OTHER ACTIONS.
6. Select Screen capture.

Additional steps for Windows 11 users

By default, Windows 11 opens the Snipping Tool when Print Screen is pressed, effectively rendering this blog article pointless. (Just kidding.) To have Print Screen take the screenshot:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Navigate to Accessibility > Keyboard.
3. Disable the option to Use the Print screen key to open Snipping Tool.