If you’ve ever tried to capture your BIOS or UEFI screen, you probably noticed that the Print Screen key doesn’t work there. Unlike Windows, the BIOS operates outside the operating system — meaning screenshot tools, keyboard shortcuts, and software utilities aren’t active yet.
So, how do you take a screenshot in BIOS on a Windows 11 PC? The answer depends on your motherboard manufacturer and BIOS version. Some modern systems support built-in screenshot capture directly within the BIOS, while others require creative alternatives like using a USB drive or camera.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through all possible methods to take a screenshot in BIOS or UEFI on Windows 11 PCs.
Take a Screenshot in BIOS on Windows 11
You’ll need:
- A Windows 11 PC with a UEFI BIOS (most modern systems).
- A USB flash drive (for saving screenshots if your BIOS supports it).
- (Optional) A smartphone or external camera for manual capture.
Tip: BIOS interfaces differ across manufacturers. ASUS, MSI, Gigabyte, Dell, and HP systems each have their own screenshot shortcuts and storage options.
Step 1: Check If Your BIOS Supports Screenshot Capture
Some modern motherboards — particularly from ASUS, MSI, and Gigabyte — include a built-in screenshot feature in their UEFI interface.
To check:
- Restart your PC.
- Press the BIOS key repeatedly during boot (usually Del, F2, or F10).
- Once in BIOS, look at the bottom or side of the screen for hints like “Press F12 to capture a screenshot” or “Save screenshot to USB drive.”
If you see such a message, your BIOS supports direct screenshot capture — skip to Step 2. If not, go to Step 4 for alternative methods.
Step 2: Insert a USB Drive for Saving Screenshots
Most BIOS environments that support screenshots require a USB drive to store them because the system doesn’t have access to Windows file paths.
- Plug a USB flash drive into your PC before entering BIOS.
- Enter BIOS by pressing your manufacturer’s hotkey (such as Del or F2).
- Navigate to the screen you want to capture.
- Press F12 (or the key displayed on-screen for screenshot capture).
- A message should appear like “Screenshot saved to USB drive.”
The BIOS will save the image (usually in .BMP format) to your USB drive’s root directory.
Step 3: Verify and View the Screenshot in Windows 11
Once you’ve captured your BIOS screenshot:
- Exit the BIOS by selecting Save & Exit or Exit Without Saving.
- Boot back into Windows 11.
- Open File Explorer and locate your USB drive.
- You’ll see a file named something like bios0001.bmp or screenshot.bmp.
- Double-click to open it — Windows Photo Viewer or Paint can display it.
You can rename or convert the file to .PNG or .JPG for sharing or documentation.
Step 4: If BIOS Doesn’t Support Screenshots — Use a Camera or Phone
If your BIOS doesn’t have built-in screenshot capability, the only practical way to capture the screen is with an external device.
- Grab a smartphone or digital camera.
- Make sure the display brightness is high and the flash is off (to avoid glare).
- Hold the camera steady and take a photo of the BIOS screen.
- Transfer the photo to your PC if needed for editing or documentation.
While not as clean as a digital capture, this method works universally across all systems and is the only option for older BIOS versions.
Step 5: Use Virtualization Software (Optional Alternative)
If you need BIOS screenshots for tutorials or documentation purposes, using a virtual machine is the most efficient method.
- Install a virtualization platform like VMware Workstation, VirtualBox, or Hyper-V.
- Create a new virtual machine and enter its Virtual BIOS/UEFI settings.
- Press Print Screen inside your host system to capture the virtual BIOS window.
Because the BIOS runs inside a virtualized environment (within Windows), you can easily take high-quality screenshots without needing a USB drive.
Step 6: Check Manufacturer-Specific BIOS Screenshot Keys
Here’s a quick reference for common manufacturers and their BIOS screenshot options:
| Manufacturer | BIOS/UEFI Screenshot Key | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ASUS | F12 | Saves BMP file to USB root directory |
| MSI | F12 | Works only if USB is inserted |
| Gigabyte | F12 | Available on most UEFI models |
| ASRock | F12 | Some models require FAT32-formatted USB |
| Dell / HP / Lenovo | Not supported | Use external camera or virtualization workaround |
Make sure your USB drive is formatted as FAT32, since most BIOS interfaces can’t read NTFS drives.
Step 7: Capture BIOS Update or Boot Menu Screens (Optional)
If you’re documenting BIOS updates or boot sequences (like recovery menus), you can use external recording tools.
- Connect your PC’s HDMI output to another system with a capture card (such as Elgato or AverMedia).
- Record the screen output during boot or BIOS navigation.
- Capture still frames from the recorded video later using any video editor.
This is particularly useful for creating tutorial content or diagnosing firmware settings remotely.
Step 8: Save and Organize Your BIOS Screenshots
Once you’ve taken the screenshots, consider keeping them organized for reference:
- Create a folder such as C:\BIOS Screenshots.
- Include subfolders for each system or motherboard model.
- Add timestamps or version notes (e.g., ASUS_ROG_0805_BIOS.bmp).
This can be extremely useful when documenting configurations or comparing BIOS versions after firmware updates.
Wrapping Up
Taking a screenshot in BIOS isn’t as straightforward as capturing one inside Windows, but modern systems make it surprisingly simple.
If your motherboard supports the F12 screenshot key, all you need is a USB drive. For older systems, a smartphone camera or virtualization environment will get the job done just as well.
Whether you’re troubleshooting settings, writing a guide, or saving configurations before a firmware update, these methods ensure you can capture every BIOS detail clearly — even before Windows 11 loads.
