How to Screenshot on Windows
(11/10): Shortcut Keys for PCs and Laptops

Easy & Fast

Instant Capture

Multiple Methods

Built in & Advanced

All Devices

PCs & Laptops

Windows offers multiple methods for taking a screenshot on Window susing shortcut keys, the built-in Snipping Tool, third-party tools, or simple keyboard combinations. The fastest way to capture your screen in Windows is to press Windows + Shift + S, which opens the Snipping Tool overlay. It allows you to select a rectangular snip, freeform snip, a specific window, or the full-screen capture and copies the result to your clipboard. Press Windows + Print Screen to auto-save a full-screen screenshot directly to your Pictures > Screenshots folder without any extra steps.


On Windows 11, the Snipping Tool has replaced the older Snip & Sketch app and now includes screen recording, OCR text extraction, a delay timer, and a built-in editor for annotation. You can also use third-party screen capture tools like ShareX, Greenshot, or Snagit for advanced features like scrolling screenshots or automated uploads.

Screenshot Windows

What are the Screenshot Windows Shortcut Keys or Methods?

There are multiple ways to take a screenshot on Windows, and the fastest are the built-in keyboard shortcuts. Each method works differently some copy to your clipboard, others auto-save a file directly to your Pictures > Screenshots folder. Knowing the difference saves you time. These screenshot shortcuts work instantly without opening any app.

print screen on Windows to capture Full Screen

Full Screen Capture

This is the most basic screenshot method on PC and works on almost all computers. To capture the entire screen, press Print Screen (PrtScn) on your keyboard. It copies the image to the clipboard and pastes it into Paint, Word, or any other app.

Important: PrtScn copies the image to your clipboard only it does not save a file. You must open Paint (or any image editor) and press Ctrl + V to paste, then save it manually.

On Windows 11 (version 23H2 and later), pressing PrtScn alone may now open the Snipping Tool overlay instead of copying to clipboard.

You can control this behavior under Settings > Accessibility > Keyboard toggle “Use the Print Screen key to open screen capture” on or off.

On laptops where PrtScn doesn’t respond, try Fn + PrtScn instead.

Windows + Shift + S Capture a Part of the Screen

Snipping Tool Shortcut

This is the most popular Windows screenshot shortcut for everyday use. Press Win + Shift + S to instantly open the Snipping Tool overlay your screen dims and a small toolbar appears at the top center. You can choose from four snip modes:

  • Rectangular snip : drag a box around any area (most common)
  • Freeform snip : draw any custom shape with your mouse
  • Window snip : click any open window to capture it cleanly
  • Fullscreen snip : captures the entire screen instantly

The screenshot is copied to your clipboard it is not saved as a file automatically. Click the notification that appears in the bottom-right corner to open the Snipping Tool editor, where you can annotate, crop, and save it.

Alt + Print Screen

Active Window Only

Pressing Alt + PrtScn captures only the active window  the app or dialog box currently in focus  and ignores everything else on screen including the taskbar and background windows. This keeps screenshots focused and professional. It is the fastest way to screenshot a single app, browser tab, or dialog box without cropping afterward.

Like PrtScn, this copies to your clipboard only  no file is saved automatically.

  • Paste with Ctrl + V into Paint, Word, or any app to save.
  • Alt + PrtScn is especially useful for IT documentation, support tickets, or sharing a specific app window without revealing the rest of your desktop.

How to Auto-Save Full Screen

Window Only

Xbox Windows Game Bar Screenshot

Window 

How to screen record on Windows?

Windows 10 and Windows 11 have a built-in screen recorder inside Xbox Game Bar  no third-party software required. 

Use the shortcut Windows + Shift + R to start recording immediately, or follow these steps:

Xbox Game Bar can only record one app window at a time — it cannot record the full desktop, File Explorer, or some system windows. If you need to record the full desktop, use Windows + Shift +.

How to Screenshot on Windows 11 and 10 - Top Built-in Methods

The built-in tools and keyboard shortcuts make it easy to capture your screen on both Windows 10 and Windows 11. The methods below work without downloading any software everything you need is already included with Windows.

The Snipping Tool is the most reliable built-in screenshot tool for Windows users. On Windows 11, it replaces the older Snip & Sketch app and now includes a built-in editor, screen recording, OCR text extraction, and a delay timer all in one free app.

Using Windows + Print Screen (Auto Save)

The following are the steps for window users.

Screenshot Windows 10

Most screenshot shortcuts work identically on Windows 10 and Windows 11. The main difference is the tool name and feature set.

Top Methods to Take a Screenshot on Windows 11 and 10

The built-in tools and keyboard shortcut keys make it easy to capture the screen. There are multiple reliable methods to take screenshots quickly, whether you are using Windows 11 or Windows 10.

On Windows 10

Delayed screenshot on windows 10

On Windows 10, open the Snipping Tool, click the Delay dropdown button, choose 1 to 5 seconds, and click New. Arrange your screen during the countdown and the screenshot will be taken automatically.

How to take screenshot Windows 11

Delayed screenshot on windows 11

Windows 11 offers improved tools that make taking screenshots easier and faster.

Using Snipping Tool (Built-in Tool)

This tool is considered to be the most reliable screenshot tool for Windows users. 

Using Windows + Print Screen (Auto Save)

Using Windows + Print Screen tool is considered to be the most reliable screenshot tool for Windows users. 

This is one of the most underused screenshot Windows features. It works perfectly for capturing hover states, auto-hide toolbars, and any screen element that normally disappears before you can screenshot it.

Xbox Game Bar Screenshot Section

How to Take a Screenshot Using Xbox Game Bar

Xbox Game Bar is a built-in screen capture tool in Windows 10 and Windows 11 that most users never think about. It was originally designed for gamers but works perfectly for taking a screenshot on any app or window on your PC.

Step 1
Open Game Bar
Press Windows + G to open the Game Bar overlay. A small Capture widget will appear on your screen. From here you can take a screenshot, start a screen recording, and control your audio, all without leaving your current window.
Step 2
Take the Screenshot
Click the camera icon inside the Capture widget to take a screenshot instantly. You can also skip the overlay entirely by pressing Windows + Alt + PrtScn directly. This captures your active window in one press with no extra steps.
Step 3
Find Your Screenshot
Game Bar does not save to your Pictures folder. Your screenshot saves automatically to:

This PC > Videos > Captures

Open File Explorer and go directly to the Videos folder, then open the Captures folder inside it.
Step 4
If Not Working
Go to Settings > Gaming > Xbox Game Bar and toggle it on. On some older business laptops, the IT administrator may have disabled it. Use the Snipping Tool as an alternative.
Xbox Game Bar Screenshot Shortcut Summary
Action Shortcut
Open Game Bar overlay Windows + G
Take screenshot instantly Windows + Alt + PrtScn
Start screen recording Windows + Alt + R
Screenshot save location Videos > Captures
Xbox Game Bar is especially useful when you want to take a screenshot on Windows without using the Print Screen key, and it works on both Windows 10 and Windows 11.

How to screenshot on laptops (All Brands)

Taking a screenshot on a laptop follows the same process as a desktop PC, but compact keyboards sometimes require one extra step. If the Print Screen key doesn’t respond, hold Fn + PrtScn to activate it common on Lenovo, HP, Asus, and Dell laptops.

Here is how each shortcut maps to laptop keyboards:

  • Fn + PrtScn copies full screen to clipboard (same as PrtScn on desktop)
  • Fn + Windows + PrtScn auto-saves full screen to Pictures > Screenshots
  • Windows + Shift + S  works on every laptop without needing the PrtScn key at all the most reliable fallback

On Microsoft Surface devices and Windows tablets, press Power + Volume Up simultaneously this auto-saves directly to Pictures > Screenshots.

If none of the above work, check your laptop’s function lock (Fn Lock or F-Lock key). When Fn Lock is active, you may need to press PrtScn without holding Fn.

 

Where Do Screenshots Go on Windows?

One of the most searched questions about taking a screenshot on Windows is “where do my screenshots go?” The answer depends entirely on which method you used. Some methods auto-save a file, while others only copy the image to your clipboard. The most important distinction: pressing PrtScn alone never saves a file it only copies to clipboard. The only shortcut that saves automatically is Windows + Print Screen.

Method Used Save Location Saved as File?
Print Screen (PrtScn) Clipboard only No, paste into Paint to save
Alt + Print Screen Clipboard only No, paste into Paint to save
Windows + Shift + S Clipboard only No, paste into Paint to save
Windows + Print Screen Pictures > Screenshots Yes, saved automatically as PNG
Windows + Alt + Print Screen (Game Bar) Videos > Captures Yes, saved automatically as PNG
Snipping Tool Your chosen location Yes, saved when you click Save
OneDrive + Print Screen OneDrive > Pictures > Screenshots Yes, saved to cloud automatically

On Windows 10 and Windows 11, every screenshot taken with the Windows + Print Screen shortcut is saved automatically to Pictures > Screenshots. On Windows 10, this folder is accessible from File Explorer under This PC > Pictures > Screenshots. On Windows 11, the same location applies and screenshots are named sequentially as Screenshot (1).png, Screenshot (2).png, and so on.

OneDrive Screenshot Auto-Save on Windows

If OneDrive is installed on your Windows PC, you can set it to automatically save every screenshot to the cloud. Click the OneDrive icon in your system tray, go to Settings, open the Sync and Backup tab, and toggle on “Save screenshots I capture to OneDrive.” Once enabled, every screenshot you take is instantly uploaded to OneDrive > Pictures > Screenshots and accessible from any device. Keep in mind that enabling this, changes the PrtScn key behavior instead of copying to clipboard only, it will trigger an auto-save to OneDrive.

Step-by-step infographic showing how to find screenshots folder on Windows using Print Screen, Xbox Game Bar, and File Explorer methods - screenshot windows

How to Change Where Screenshots Save on Windows

If you want to move the default Screenshots folder to a different drive or location:

From that point forward, all Windows + PrtScn screenshots will save to your new chosen location automatically.

Screenshot Windows: Where to Find Them When Nothing Works

If you have taken a screenshot and cannot find it anywhere,
try these steps in order.

How to Take a Screenshot on Windows Without the Print Screen Key

 Not every keyboard has a Print Screen button, and on many laptops the PrtScn key is hidden behind the Fn key combination. If your Print Screen key is missing, broken, or not responding, there are several reliable ways to take a screenshot on Windows without it. 

Some users search for how to ss on Windows or how to clip on PC — both refer to the same process: capturing your screen without relying on the PrtScn key.

Screenshot Methods Without Print Screen
Method 1 Windows + Shift + S Recommended
Win + Shift + S

This is the best screenshot Windows shortcut that does not require the Print Screen key at all. Press Windows + Shift + S to instantly open the Snipping Tool overlay. You can then select any area of the screen, capture a specific window, or take a full screen grab, all without touching the PrtScn key.

Method 2 Open Snipping Tool Directly

Go to the Start menu, search for Snipping Tool, and open it. From inside the app, click New to start a capture. You can choose from rectangular, freeform, window, or fullscreen modes. This works entirely with your mouse and no keyboard shortcut is required.

Method 3 Xbox Game Bar
Win + G

Press Windows + G to open Xbox Game Bar and click the camera icon to take a screenshot. This is another completely PrtScn-free screenshot method that works on both Windows 10 and Windows 11.

Method 4 Use the On-Screen Keyboard

If your physical Print Screen key is broken, Windows has a built-in on-screen keyboard that includes a virtual PrtScn button.

  • 1Go to Settings > Accessibility > Keyboard and enable the On-Screen Keyboard, or search for it in the Start menu
  • 2The virtual keyboard will appear on screen
  • 3Locate the PrtScn button on the on-screen keyboard
  • 4Click it to take a screenshot just like pressing the physical key
Method 5 Fn + PrtScn on Laptops
Fn + PrtScn

On many laptops from brands like Lenovo, HP, Dell, and Asus, the Print Screen function is accessed by holding Fn + PrtScn together. If pressing PrtScn alone does nothing, this combination is usually the fix. Some laptops also require Fn + Windows + PrtScn to auto-save the screenshot.

Screenshot Mac vs Screenshot Windows

Both Mac and Windows allow taking screenshots, but their shortcuts and tools are different. Windows provides more flexible tools like Snipping Tool, while Mac focuses on a smoother screenshot experience. 

Feature Windows Mac
Basic Shortcut PrtScn (Print Screen) Command + Shift + 3
Partial Screenshot Windows + Shift + S Command + Shift + 4
Active Window Alt + PrtScn Command + Shift + 4 + Space
Auto Save Windows + PrtScn Saves automatically by default
Built-in Tool Snipping Tool / Snip & Sketch Screenshot Toolbar
Flexibility More built-in options and editing tools Simple and clean interface

While screenshot Mac relies on a consistent set of Command-key combos, screenshot Windows offers more flexible built-in tools and editing options through Snipping Tool and Snip & Sketch. 

What is the best screenshot software for Windows?

There are many software programs available for computers. You can use your preferred software to take a screenshot using a PC. 

Snagit

Paid/ Premium

Snagit

This is a premium screenshot tool designed for professional users who need advanced tools, including captures, scrolling, comprehensive image editing, and text extraction (OCR).

LightShot

Free

Another best, free tool is LightShot screenshot software, known for quick, simple screenshots. It enables fast selection and sharing with basic annotation options. 

Snipaste

Free

Snipaste

Snipaste is a free, unique screenshot Windows app, allowing pin images to the top of the screen for easy comparison or reference. It’s not only a free tool, but also a lightweight app. 

(Free/ Open Source

ShareX

This is a powerful tool used to capture the screen, record, and instant share to various devices. 

PicPick

Free/ Paid

PicPack

Another useful screenshot tool is PicPick, with a user-friendly ribbon interface, advanced color pickers, advanced annotation, and pixel rulers. 

How to Edit and Share a Screenshot on Windows?

Once captured, most screenshots can be edited directly:

How to Crop a Screenshot?

After capturing, open the image in Snipping Tool or Paint, use the crop tool to trim unwanted areas, then save. 

How to Take a Scrolling Screenshot on Windows

The built-in Snipping Tool and Print Screen only capture what is currently visible on your screen. If you need to screenshot a full webpage, a long document, or an entire chat conversation on Windows, you need a different method.

The easiest way is through Microsoft Edge. Press Ctrl + Shift + S inside Edge and select Capture full page. Edge will automatically scroll through the entire page and save it as one complete image without needing any extra software or extension.

For Google Chrome users, press Ctrl + Shift + I to open Developer Tools, then press Ctrl + Shift + P, type screenshot in the search box, and select Capture full size screenshot. Chrome saves the full page directly to your Downloads folder as a PNG file.

If you need to capture a scrolling screenshot of any window on Windows, not just a browser, ShareX is the best free tool available. It supports scrolling capture for documents, applications, and web pages and stitches everything into one long image automatically.

Windows 11 Screenshot Updates 2026

Windows 11 Screenshot Updates in 2026 2026 Update

Microsoft continues to add new features to the Snipping Tool in Windows 11, making it one of the most powerful built-in screenshot tools available on any operating system. If you are using a Copilot+ PC, which is a newer Windows 11 device with a built-in AI processor, the Snipping Tool unlocks three exclusive AI-powered features that are not available on standard Windows 11 machines.

AI Feature
Perfect Screenshot
The Snipping Tool automatically analyzes your screen and intelligently crops around the most relevant content in your selection. Instead of manually adjusting the selection box to tightly frame a window or dialog, the AI refines the crop for you automatically before saving.
Copilot+ PC Only
AI Feature
Color Picker
Click on any pixel on your screen to instantly get its exact color value. The result copies to your clipboard in HEX, RGB, or HSL format, useful for designers, developers, and anyone who needs precise color identification from their display.
Copilot+ PC Only
AI Feature
Visual Search
After capturing a screenshot, trigger a Bing-powered search directly from the Snipping Tool. It recognizes objects, text, and content within your screenshot and returns relevant search results instantly, turning any screen grab into an interactive research tool.
Copilot+ PC Only
Coming Soon — Microsoft 365
Copilot Screenshot Tool for Microsoft 365
Microsoft is developing a dedicated screenshot tool directly inside the Copilot interface for Microsoft 365 users. This will let you capture your screen and send it to Copilot for analysis without leaving your current workflow, with no manual upload required. It will work across the full Microsoft 365 suite.
Excel Teams Word PowerPoint Outlook
Rolling out in 2026

Common Screenshot PC Problems and Fixes

Sometimes screenshots don’t work properly. Here are solutions to some common issues:

Screenshot: Computer not saving

Problem

Screenshots are not saving automatically. 

Solutions

Screenshot Computer not saving

Screenshot Windows shortcut not working

Problem

Shortcut keys are not responding

Solutions

Screenshot on PC is not working

Problem

Screenshots are not working at all

Solutions

Screenshot on PC is not working

Windows + Shift + S not working?

Problem

Snipping shortcut is not opening

Solutions

Windows + Shift + S not working?

Advanced Screenshot Windows Tips

Small movements can make a big difference. If you want better screenshots, try these tips:

Conclusion

Screenshot Windows is a simple process if you know the right method. You can use shortcut keys, built-in tools, and advanced options to take quality screenshots. Windows offers multiple ways to capture your screen. If you also use a smartphone, check our guides on taking screenshots on Android and capturing screenshots on iPhone. If you work across operating systems, you may also find our Linux screenshot guide helpful. Try different methods and use the one that fits you best.

FAQs

How do I take a screenshot on a PC?

To take a screenshot on Windows, press Windows + Shift + S to open the Snipping Tool and capture any area of your
screen. For a full-screen screenshot that saves automatically, press Windows + Print Screen, your image saves to Pictures > Screenshots instantly. You can also press PrtScn alone to copy the screen to clipboard, then paste it into Paint or any editor to save it.

If the Win+Shift+S shortcut is not opening the Snipping Tool, it may be due to disabled notifications, a software conflict, or a hung Snipping Tool process. To fix it, restart your computer, make sure Snipping Tool notifications are enabled in Settings, check that no other app is overriding the shortcut, and install any pending Windows updates.

Windows+Shift+S is the most common shortcut to take a screenshot. Most of the PCs and laptops are compatible with this. 

We use the Windows Key to capture the entire screen using the shortcut keys, such as (Win+PrtSc). It instantly captures the screen that you want as an image file without needing external apps. The screenshot saves to the screenshot folder automatically. 

For Windows 7 users, press PrtScn to copy the full screen to clipboard, then open Paint, press Ctrl + V to paste, and save the file using File > Save As. The Snipping Tool is also available in Windows 7 Home Premium, Professional, and Ultimate editions at Start > All Programs > Accessories. For a complete Windows 7 screenshot guide, visit our dedicated page.

If you are using a Microsoft Surface or any Windows tablet without a physical keyboard, the standard screenshot shortcuts will not work. Instead, press the Power button and Volume Down button at the same time and hold both for about one second until the screen flashes. Your screenshot saves automatically to Pictures > Screenshots, just like the Windows + PrtScn method. This works on Surface Pro, Surface Go, Surface Laptop in tablet mode, and any other Windows 10 or Windows 11 tablet device.

Open the Snipping Tool from the Start menu and select Rectangular Snip to click and drag over the exact area you want to capture. For an irregular shape, choose Freeform Snip and draw around the area freely. You can also press Windows + Shift + S to instantly open the snipping overlay and select any part of your screen without opening the full app.

After taking a screenshot with the Snipping Tool, the image opens automatically in the editor. Click the crop icon in the toolbar, drag the handles to select the area you want to keep, and click Save. If you used PrtScn and pasted into Paint, go to Image and select Crop to trim the image before saving.

Yes — while the built-in tools only capture a single screen, third-party apps like Snagit or ShareX offer scrolling capture modes for full webpages or long documents. 

You can take a screenshot on computers by pressing Windows + Shift + S for a custom snip, or PrtScn for a full-screen capture that copies to the clipboard.

 Ctrl+Shift+S is not the default screenshot shortcut on Windows — the correct combo is Windows + Shift + S. If that’s not working, check that Snip and Sketch is enabled in Settings.

The save location on Windows 11 depends on which method you used. Screenshots taken with Windows + Print Screen save automatically to Pictures > Screenshots as a PNG file. Screenshots taken with Windows + Shift + S or PrtScn alone are copied to your clipboard only — they are not saved as files unless you paste them into an app and save manually. Xbox Game Bar screenshots save to Videos > Captures. Press Win + V to check Clipboard History if you cannot find a recent screenshot.

Pressing PrtScn alone copies your entire screen to the clipboard — it does not create or save a file. To save a screenshot automatically, use Windows + Print Screen instead, which saves directly to Pictures > Screenshots as a PNG file. If you used PrtScn, open Paint and press Ctrl + V to paste and then save. On Windows 11 version 23H2 and later, pressing PrtScn may now open the Snipping Tool overlay rather than copying to clipboard, depending on your settings.

Snip & Sketch was the screenshot app introduced in Windows 10 as a replacement for the original Snipping Tool. On Windows 11, Microsoft merged both into a single updated app simply called Snipping Tool. The modern Snipping Tool includes all features of both older apps plus new additions: screen recording, OCR text extraction, a color picker, and an improved editor. If you are on Windows 10 and see “Snip & Sketch,” it functions identically to pressing Win + Shift + S.

 

Use the delay timer in the Snipping Tool. Open the full Snipping Tool app from the Start menu, click the delay dropdown, and set it to 3–10 seconds. Click New, then quickly open your dropdown menu or hover over the tooltip during the countdown. The Snipping Tool will capture automatically when the timer ends. This is the most reliable way to screenshot any interface element that disappears when you click.

If the Snipping Tool is not opening or crashing, try these steps in order: restart your computer; check that the Win + Shift + S shortcut is enabled under Settings > Accessibility > Keyboard; repair the app via Settings > Apps > Snipping Tool > Advanced options > Repair; if repair fails, click Reset in the same menu; and finally reinstall the app from the Microsoft Store. If the shortcut works but screenshots appear black, switch to Xbox Game Bar as a workaround.

 

Yes, the Snipping Tool is a free built-in app included with every copy of Windows 10 and Windows 11. You do not need to purchase or install anything. If it is missing from your PC, you can download it for free from the Microsoft Store by searching for “Snipping Tool.” All core features — rectangular snip, freeform snip, window snip, screen recording, and OCR — are available at no cost.

 
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