The Windows login screen is a locked screen that controls the user’s desktop access through various login options. For security reasons, most tools and keyboard shortcuts will not allow you to take Screenshot of Windows Login Screen. This article covers the available Windows login screen recording methods that work for Windows.
Why Can’t You Take a Screenshot of Windows Login Screen?
In addition to using screen capture tools, most PC and laptop keyboards have a button to print desktop screen captures. All of these methods use a system requirement to capture items on the screen in the form of a JPEG image that is then pasted into a program such as Paint or Word Processor.
The Windows login screen has some restrictions for taking screenshots using a Run command called winlogon, which can be accessed from the Start menu. Control user login, logout, user profile upload, lockscreen details, and authentication.
There are many types of malware that rely on screenshots to steal your passwords and files. Therefore, Winlogon has an internal mechanism to prevent such tools from accessing your login screen.
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How Do I Save a Login Screenshot on Windows 10?
The Windows 10 login screen capture consists of two components: the lock screen and the password / PIN login window. These are the latest methods for saving screenshots of both screens.
How to Screenshot Your Lockscreen on Windows
The Windows lockscreen consists of a wallpaper or a blank screen with quick status applications and their notifications. The easiest way to take a screenshot of the lockscreen is to take the desktop screen with the “Print Screen” button. Saves the screenshot image to the Windows clipboard, which can then be copied and pasted into Paint, Word, or other programs.
Windows 10 Login Screenshot
The login screen in Windows 10 appears after clicking the lockscreen once. Unfortunately, the “Print Screen” command does not work here to take screenshots because you are entering sensitive information such as passwords / PINs. Instead, the best way to take a Windows 10 login screen shot is by using the native Snip & Sketch app, which can be accessed from the Start menu’s search box.
Once the SNIP & Sketch application is open, select a delayed timer to run the setting, either 3 seconds or 10 seconds, which gives you more time.
Ten seconds is enough to set up the Windows 10 login screen, but it should be a bit quick. Whether you want to see the login information, the on-screen keyboard, the magnifying glass, or the sticky keys, it can all be captured. The Snip & Sketch window will automatically appear after 10 seconds and fill the screen.
You can choose the screen capture area you want. After logging back into the desktop, you can save the clipboard screenshot in Paint, Word, or other tools.
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Windows 11 Login Screenshot
Windows 11 has replaced Snip & Sketch with a new Snipping Tool that can be started with Win + Shift + S. To take the screenshot of the login screen in Windows 11 with the Snipping Tool, enter a delay of 3 , 5 or 10 seconds. . The image is saved to the clipboard and can be copied into Paint, Word, or other programs after logging in. You can also use Snip & Sketch’s delayed timer (a standard Windows 11 application) to save screenshots.
Windows Remote Desktop Screenshot
In both Windows 10 and Windows 11, you can use Remote Desktop (RDP) on the host to save screenshots from the guest computer. On the host device, use the guest device name and other login settings to connect to the guest device on the same IP address / WiFi network.
Once the pairing is achieved, use the following commands to take screenshots.
- Ctrl + Alt + PrintScreen will capture a normal PrintScreen screenshot of the guest device.
- And Ctrl + Alt + + will capture the full host screen on the guest computer.
- Ctrl + Alt + - will capture an active window of the host screen on the guest computer.
Which Methods No Longer Work to Save Windows Login Screenshots?
There have been some other solutions in the past to take a screenshot of the Windows login screen. With Windows 11 and the latest Windows 10 updates, these vulnerabilities have been closed. You will no longer be able to use any of these methods to take a Windows logon screen capture.
- Adding utilman.exe registry key: Until recently, you could add a registry key called “utilman.exe” in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE and point its string value to the snipping tool. This would make the Snipping Tool available during the Ease of Access login screen. If you try this now, the Snipping Tool will open for a moment, but then it will close automatically and the registry settings will be automatically removed.
- Windows Game Bar: Windows Game Bar is a native screen recording tool that can be started with Win + G. However, the recording function does not extend to the login screen.
- External screen recording software: Third-party screen recording tools can no longer capture the Windows login screen.
- Snipping Tool: The Windows Snipping Tool is deprecated in Windows 10/11 and no longer supports advanced features such as login screenshots.
Applications of Windows Login Screenshots
Getting a screenshot of the Windows login screen is very useful in the following situations:
- Sharing wallpapers and desktop themes: Do you want to save your wallpapers and desktop designs with others? A proper login screen shot is more attractive, brighter, and straighter than taking photos with a smartphone camera.
- Creating help guides and written and video tutorials in Windows: If you are using a login screen mentioned in the steps that describe a Windows manual, it is helpful to take screenshots of the final screen.
- Troubleshooting: Having trouble logging in due to password issues or other access factors? A network administrator can solve your problems remotely using the login screenshots obtained through a remote desktop connection.
Related: How to Run Old Programs with Compatibility Mode in Windows
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I change the quick status apps on the Windows login screen?
You can change the apps status quickly from the Lockscreen menu options. Choose from email notifications, remote desktop, calendar, Skype or Microsoft Teams messages, Microsoft Store, sticky notes, and more.
2. How do I bypass the Windows login screen?
You can automatically log in to a Windows PC to bypass the login and even the lock screen with this automatic login method.
3. How do I change the Windows 10/11 login screen wallpaper?
To change the background image on the Windows 10/11 login screen, go to “Personalization> Related Themes and Settings” in Windows 10 and “Settings> Personalization> Background” in Windows 11 and add a background image of your choice of any added images.
