Taking a screenshot on Windows is easy once you know the right shortcut. You can capture the entire screen, one window, a specific area, or save the screenshot directly as an image file.
This guide shows how to screenshot on Windows using the built-in keyboard shortcuts and Snipping Tool, without installing extra software.
Quick Answer
The fastest way to take a screenshot of part of your screen is:
Windows + Shift + S
This opens the Snipping Tool capture bar. Select the area you want, and Windows copies the screenshot to your clipboard.
To capture and automatically save your entire screen, use:
Windows + PrtScn
The screenshot is normally saved in Pictures > Screenshots.
Windows Screenshot Shortcuts
| Shortcut | What It Does |
|---|---|
| Windows + Shift + S | Capture a selected area, window, or full screen |
| PrtScn | Copy the entire screen to the clipboard |
| Windows + PrtScn | Capture the entire screen and save it automatically |
| Alt + PrtScn | Copy only the active window |
| Fn + Windows + Space | Alternative shortcut on some devices without PrtScn |
| Windows + Alt + PrtScn | Capture a game or supported app using Xbox Game Bar |
1. Use Windows + Shift + S
For most people, Windows + Shift + S is the best screenshot shortcut because it lets you choose exactly what you want to capture.
- Open the screen, webpage, app, or window you want to capture.
- Press Windows + Shift + S.
- Your screen will dim slightly.
- Choose a capture mode from the toolbar.
- Select the part of the screen you want.
- The screenshot is copied to your clipboard.
- Click the screenshot notification if you want to edit or save it.
Windows provides several capture modes:
- Rectangle — drag around a rectangular area.
- Window — capture one open window.
- Full screen — capture everything visible.
- Freeform — draw around the area you want.
Microsoft documents these options in its official Snipping Tool screenshot guide.
2. Use the Print Screen Key
The traditional Windows screenshot method uses the Print Screen key.
The key may be labeled:
- PrtSc
- PrtScn
- Print Scr
- Print Screen
Press PrtScn to capture the entire screen.
The image is copied to the Windows clipboard rather than immediately saved as a file.
You can then paste it into another app:
- Press PrtScn.
- Open Paint, Word, an email, chat app, or another program.
- Press Ctrl + V.
You can then save or send the screenshot.
Microsoft confirms that Print Screen captures the full screen and places the image on the clipboard in its official screen capture documentation.
3. Save a Full-Screen Screenshot Automatically
If you want Windows to capture the entire screen and save the screenshot immediately, use:
Windows + PrtScn
- Arrange everything on your screen.
- Press Windows + PrtScn.
- The screen may briefly dim.
- Open File Explorer.
- Go to Pictures > Screenshots.
Your screenshot should appear there automatically.
This is useful when you need to take several screenshots quickly without manually pasting each one into Paint.
4. Screenshot Only the Active Window
If you have several windows open but only want to capture one of them, use:
Alt + PrtScn
- Click the window you want to capture.
- Press Alt + PrtScn.
- Open Paint, Word, an email, or another image-compatible app.
- Press Ctrl + V.
Only the active window is copied to the clipboard instead of your entire desktop.
This is particularly useful when creating tutorials or sending an error message to technical support because it avoids including unrelated windows in the screenshot.
5. Use the Snipping Tool
If you prefer using an app instead of memorizing shortcuts, Windows includes the Snipping Tool.
- Open the Start menu.
- Search for Snipping Tool.
- Open the app.
- Select the screenshot mode you want.
- Click New.
- Select the area or window you want to capture.
After taking the screenshot, Snipping Tool lets you crop, annotate, highlight, copy, and save the image.
Microsoft's current Snipping Tool documentation lists Rectangle, Window, Full screen, and Freeform capture modes. You can see the complete instructions in the Microsoft Snipping Tool guide.
Take a delayed screenshot
A delay is useful when you need to capture a menu, pop-up, or another element that disappears when you click elsewhere.
- Open Snipping Tool.
- Open the delay option.
- Select the delay you want.
- Prepare the menu or screen you need to capture.
- Wait for Snipping Tool to begin the screenshot.
6. Screenshot Without a Print Screen Key
Some compact laptops, tablets, and keyboards do not have a dedicated Print Screen key.
First try:
Windows + Shift + S
This does not require the Print Screen key at all.
Microsoft also documents the following alternative on compatible hardware:
Fn + Windows + Space
Microsoft lists this shortcut for devices without a PrtScn button in its Print Screen keyboard shortcut guide.
Your laptop manufacturer may also assign screenshot functions to another function key, so check the small symbols printed on the top row of the keyboard.
7. Screenshot a Game or App
Windows also includes Xbox Game Bar for capturing supported games and applications.
To capture the current game or app directly, use:
Windows + Alt + PrtScn
You can also open Xbox Game Bar with:
Windows + G
Then use its Capture controls to take a screenshot.
Xbox Game Bar screenshots are normally stored in the Videos > Captures folder rather than Pictures > Screenshots.
Where Are Screenshots Saved on Windows?
The location depends on the screenshot method you used.
Windows + PrtScn
Usually saves to:
Pictures > Screenshots
PrtScn
This normally copies the screenshot to your clipboard. You need to paste it into another app and save it manually.
Alt + PrtScn
This also copies the screenshot to the clipboard rather than automatically creating an image file.
Xbox Game Bar
Game Bar captures are normally stored under:
Videos > Captures
Snipping Tool
After capturing an image, you can open the Snipping Tool notification and choose where to save the screenshot.
Microsoft confirms that screenshots created with Windows + PrtScn can be found under the Pictures folder's Screenshots subfolder.
How to Edit a Screenshot on Windows
You can edit a screenshot immediately using Snipping Tool.
After taking a screenshot with Windows + Shift + S:
- Click the screenshot notification.
- The image will open in Snipping Tool.
- Crop unwanted parts.
- Use the pen or highlighter if needed.
- Copy or save the finished image.
You can also paste screenshots into Paint for additional editing.
What If Windows Screenshot Shortcuts Are Not Working?
If nothing happens when you press a screenshot shortcut, try these quick fixes.
Try Windows + Shift + S
This bypasses many problems related specifically to the Print Screen key.
Try the Fn key
Some laptops require you to hold Fn while pressing PrtScn.
For example:
Fn + PrtScn
Restart Snipping Tool
Close Snipping Tool completely and reopen it.
Restart Windows
A restart can clear temporary problems affecting keyboard shortcuts or Windows apps.
Check your keyboard
If other keys are also not responding correctly, connect another keyboard or use the on-screen Snipping Tool to determine whether the physical keyboard is the problem.
Update Snipping Tool
Open Microsoft Store, check for app updates, and install an available Snipping Tool update.
If your Windows laptop is generally lagging or slow at the same time, see our Windows laptop running slow troubleshooting guide.
Need to Record Your Screen Instead?
A screenshot captures one still image. If you need to capture movement, a tutorial, gameplay, or an error that happens over several seconds, screen recording is more useful.
Current versions of Snipping Tool support screen recording as well as screenshots.
Microsoft documents the shortcut:
Windows + Shift + R
for opening the Snipping Tool video capture overlay on supported Windows systems.
If Snipping Tool recording starts and then suddenly stops, see our guide to fixing Snipping Tool recording problems.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the easiest way to screenshot on Windows?
Press Windows + Shift + S. Choose the area you want to capture, and Windows copies the screenshot to your clipboard.
How do I screenshot the whole screen on Windows?
Press PrtScn to copy the whole screen to the clipboard, or press Windows + PrtScn to capture the whole screen and save it automatically.
Where do Windows screenshots go?
Screenshots taken with Windows + PrtScn normally go to Pictures > Screenshots. Other methods may copy the screenshot to your clipboard instead.
How do I screenshot only one window?
Click the window you want, then press Alt + PrtScn. Paste the captured image into Paint, Word, email, or another app.
How do I screenshot only part of my screen?
Press Windows + Shift + S, choose Rectangle mode, then drag over the part of the screen you want to capture.
How do I take a screenshot without a Print Screen key?
Use Windows + Shift + S. Microsoft also documents Fn + Windows + Space as an option on some devices without a PrtScn key.
Why doesn't Print Screen save a file?
Pressing PrtScn by itself normally copies the image to your clipboard. Use Windows + PrtScn if you want Windows to automatically save the screenshot as a file.
Can I take a screenshot while gaming?
Yes. Xbox Game Bar can capture supported games and apps. Press Windows + G to open it or use Windows + Alt + PrtScn to capture the active game or app.
Can Windows record the screen too?
Yes. Snipping Tool includes screen recording on supported Windows systems. You can also use Xbox Game Bar for recording games and supported apps.
Final Thoughts
The easiest way to take a screenshot on Windows is Windows + Shift + S because it lets you capture exactly the area you need.
For full-screen screenshots that save automatically, use Windows + PrtScn. If you only need one window, use Alt + PrtScn.
Windows already includes everything most people need through Print Screen, Snipping Tool, and Xbox Game Bar, so you usually do not need to install a separate screenshot app.