Write over any app
Draw over PowerPoint, browsers, PDFs, videos, meetings, software interfaces, or the Windows desktop while the original content remains untouched.
A simple Windows 11 workflow
Draw on your screen in Windows 11
Write, highlight, circle, point, and explain directly over the desktop or any open app. OS Pen (On-Screen Pen) adds a clear annotation layer without modifying the presentation, website, video, or document underneath.
Essential Pen, Eraser & Screenshot tools · No account required
Keep the floating toolbar ready while you work in Windows 11.
Draw liveOver desktop and apps
Mouse, touch, or penNo special device required
Free essentialsPen, Eraser & Screenshot
Non-destructiveOriginal content stays unchanged
Why use a screen overlay?
Explain what is on screen without editing the original
Stay inside the app you are demonstrating while your notes, circles, arrows, and highlights remain on a separate temporary layer.
Keep attention in one place
Circle a control, underline a result, add an arrow, or use the spotlight and laser pointer without switching to another whiteboard window.
Capture the explanation
Take a screenshot after marking the important area, copy it as PNG, or use additional recording and export tools when you need a reusable walkthrough.
Choose how you explain
Start with a pen, then add structure when needed
A quick circle may be enough for one task. For a lesson or technical walkthrough, shapes, precision tools, focus controls, and screenshots stay close by.
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Freehand pen and highlighter
Write naturally with a mouse, trackpad, touchscreen, or compatible stylus and adjust stroke colour and size.
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Eraser and clear controls
Remove one mark or clear the annotation layer while leaving the app and file underneath unchanged.
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Shapes, arrows, text, and numbering
Turn rough explanations into clearer steps with structured marks and labels that are easier to follow.
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Spotlight, curtain, and laser pointer
Reduce visual distraction and direct attention to the exact part of the Windows screen you are discussing.
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Ruler, protractor, compass, and coordinates
Explain geometry, measurements, interfaces, and technical diagrams with more accuracy than freehand drawing alone.
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Screenshot and export options
Capture the marked screen for a lesson recap, support response, tutorial, or documentation workflow.
Keyboard shortcuts
Is there a shortcut to draw on screen in Windows 11?
Windows 11 has no built-in key that lets you draw live over every app. These are the options you have, and what each one actually does.
1
Win + Shift + S — Snipping Tool (built in)
Captures part of the screen. Open the capture in Snipping Tool to draw on it. You are marking a still screenshot, not drawing live over the app.
2
Ctrl + 2 — ZoomIt (free Microsoft tool)
ZoomIt is Microsoft’s free Sysinternals presentation utility, installed separately. Its draw mode starts with Ctrl + 2 by default.
3
Ctrl + Shift + Space — OS Pen
Switches between drawing and Cursor mode, so you can mark up the screen and then click the app underneath again without closing anything. Change it to Ctrl + Alt + A, Ctrl + Shift + D, F8 or F9 in Settings.
4
More OS Pen keys
Tap Ctrl on its own to hide or show the toolbar. Ctrl + Z undoes a mark and Ctrl + Y redoes it. You can also assign keys to individual tools under Settings › Hotkeys.
Quick start
How to draw on screen in Windows 11
You do not need to change Windows settings or buy a touchscreen to begin.
Install and open OS Pen
Download the combined Windows installer and launch the floating toolbar after installation.
Select Pen
Choose a colour and stroke size, then use your mouse, touch input, or stylus to start writing.
Erase, clear, or capture
Remove marks when finished, or take a screenshot if you want to keep and share the annotated result.
Drawing on Windows 11
Frequently asked questions
How can I draw on my screen in Windows 11?
Install OS Pen, open its floating toolbar, select Pen, and draw over the desktop or any open app. Erase or clear the annotation layer without changing the original app or document underneath.
Can I draw over PowerPoint, a browser, or a video?
Yes. OS Pen provides a screen-level annotation layer for presentations, browsers, videos, documents, meetings, and other Windows apps.
Is there a keyboard shortcut to draw on screen in Windows 11?
Windows 11 has no built-in shortcut that lets you draw live over every app. Win+Shift+S opens the Snipping Tool, where you can draw on a captured screenshot. To draw live over any app, OS Pen uses Ctrl+Shift+Space to switch between drawing and Cursor mode, and you can change that key to Ctrl+Alt+A, Ctrl+Shift+D, F8 or F9 in Settings.
Can I draw on screen in Windows 11 without ZoomIt?
Yes. ZoomIt is Microsoft's free Sysinternals presentation utility. OS Pen is a separate overlay that stays on screen while you keep working: Pen, Eraser and Screenshot are free, and Ctrl+Shift+Space switches drawing on and off.
Do I need a touchscreen or stylus?
No. You can draw with a mouse, trackpad, touchscreen, or compatible pen. Touch and stylus input can feel more natural for handwriting, but they are not required.
Can I use the drawing tools for free?
Yes. Pen, Eraser, and Screenshot are available as free essential tools without an account. A verified-email trial unlocks the complete toolset without requiring a credit card.
Will drawing change the original document or app?
No. The marks sit on OS Pen's annotation layer. Clearing or erasing them does not edit the underlying presentation, webpage, video, or document.
Start drawing on Windows 11
Use the free essential tools first, then unlock more presentation and precision tools when you need them.