How to Enable or Disable Let Apps Take Screenshots and Record Screen in Windows 11
Letting apps take screenshots and record your screen in Windows 11 is managed by a privacy setting called ‘Screen capture’. This feature lets you decide which applications have permission to see and save what’s on your display.
Windows 11 gives you control on an app-by-app basis. This means you can turn this feature on or off for each program individually, which is great for keeping your screen content private.
When you turn off screen capture for an app, that app cannot take screenshots or record your screen anymore. This is helpful for apps you don’t trust or for when you want extra privacy.
Go to Settings Privacy & security Screenshots and screen recording. Toggle the main switch to enable or disable the feature for all apps. You can also control permissions for individual desktop apps or specific applications from this same menu.
Comparison of Methods
| Method | Best For | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| Settings App | Individual Users | Easy |
| Registry | Advanced Users | Hard |
| Group Policy | IT Administrators | Medium |
Turn On or Off Let Apps Take Screenshots and Record Screen for All Users in Settings
Requires Administrator Privileges
1 Open Settings (⊞ Win+I).
2 Click Privacy & security on the left, then click Screenshots and screen recording on the right.
Open Screenshots and screen recording Settings
3 Turn On or Off the access toggle.
Turn On or Off Let Apps Take Screenshots and Record Screen for All Users using Command
Requires Administrator Privileges
1 Open Windows Terminal (Admin).
2 To enable, run this command: SystemSettingsAdminFlows.exe SetCamSystemGlobal graphicsCaptureProgrammatic 1
3 To disable, run this command: SystemSettingsAdminFlows.exe SetCamSystemGlobal graphicsCaptureProgrammatic 0
Turn On or Off Let Apps Take Screenshots and Record Screen for Current User in Settings
1 Open Settings (⊞ Win+I).
2 Navigate to Privacy & security > Screenshots and screen recording.
3 Toggle the setting for Let apps take screenshots and record the screen.
Turn On or Off Let Desktop Apps Take Screenshots and Record Screen for Current User in Settings
1 Open Settings (⊞ Win+I).
2 Navigate to Privacy & security > Screenshots and screen recording.
3 Toggle Let desktop apps take screenshots and record the screen.
Turn On or Off Specific Apps
1 Open Settings (⊞ Win+I).
2 Navigate to Privacy & security > Screenshots and screen recording.
3 Toggle individual apps under the list to control their specific access.
Enable or Disable via Local Group Policy Editor
Requires Administrator Privileges
1 Open gpedit.msc.
2 Go to Computer Configuration Administrative Templates Windows Components App Privacy.
3 Edit Let Windows apps take screenshots of various windows or displays and select to allow or deny.
Enable or Disable via Registry
Requires Administrator Privileges
Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\AppPrivacy. Set the LetAppsAccessGraphicsCaptureProgrammatic DWORD (a type of registry value) to 1 to enable or 2 to disable.
Summary
Reference: App permissions – Microsoft Support
Does disabling this setting prevent all screenshots?
No. Disabling this setting only blocks apps that rely on the Windows Graphics Capture API. You can still take manual screenshots using the Print Screen key or the Snipping Tool, as these are built-in system functions that operate outside of these specific app-level privacy permissions.
Why is the ‘Let apps take screenshots’ option greyed out?
This option might be greyed out because an administrator applied a Group Policy or a Registry restriction to your computer. This is common in work or school environments where IT policies override individual user settings to maintain security and compliance across the network.
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About the Author
Richard
Tech Writer, IT Professional
Richard, a writer for Geek Rewind, is a tech enthusiast who loves breaking down complex IT topics into simple, easy-to-understand ideas. With years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, he’s developed a knack for offering practical tips and solutions. Richard aims to make technology more accessible and actionable. He's deeply committed to the Geek Rewind community, always ready to answer questions and engage in discussions.
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