To take a screenshot on Windows 7, press the Print Screen key (often labeled PrtScn or PrtSc) to copy the whole screen, or Alt + Print Screen to copy just the active window. Then open Paint, press Ctrl + V to paste, and save it as a PNG or JPEG. For more control, use the built-in Snipping Tool: open Start, type Snipping Tool, click the arrow next to New, choose a snip type, and drag around what you want.
Windows 7 doesn’t have the Windows + Print Screen shortcut that saves files automatically. That was added in Windows 8. Here’s every method that works on Windows 7 desktops and laptops.
Quick reference
| To capture | Press | Where it goes |
|---|---|---|
| Entire screen | Print Screen | Clipboard (paste to save) |
| Active window | Alt + Print Screen | Clipboard |
| Any area or shape | Snipping Tool | Snipping Tool window (save or copy) |
| On many laptops | Fn + Print Screen | Clipboard |
Method 1: Print Screen and Paint
- Set up the screen the way you want to capture it.
- Press Print Screen. Nothing seems to happen, but the image is copied.
- Click Start, type Paint, and open it.
- Press Ctrl + V to paste.
- Click the Paint menu button (top left) > Save as > PNG picture, name the file, and click Save.
You can also paste directly into Word, an email, or a chat window without saving a file.
Method 2: Capture only one window
- Click the window to make it active.
- Press Alt + Print Screen.
- Paste it into Paint or another app with Ctrl + V.
Method 3: Snipping Tool
- Click Start, type Snipping Tool, and press Enter. It’s also in Start > All Programs > Accessories.
- Click the arrow next to New and choose Free-form, Rectangular, Window, or Full-screen Snip.
- Drag around the area, or click the window you want.
- Use the pen or highlighter to mark it up if you like.
- Click the Save icon (floppy disk), choose a folder and format, and click Save.
Tip: To capture a menu that disappears when you click away, open Snipping Tool, press Esc, open the menu, then press Ctrl + Print Screen and draw your snip.
Screenshots on a Windows 7 laptop
- If Print Screen shares a key with another function, press Fn + Print Screen.
- Some compact laptops have no Print Screen key. Use the Snipping Tool or the On-Screen Keyboard (Start > type “On-Screen Keyboard”), which has a PrtScn key.
Troubleshooting
- Paste does nothing: Another app, like Dropbox or OneDrive, may have taken over the Print Screen key. Check its settings.
- Snipping Tool missing: It’s not included in Windows 7 Starter or Home Basic. Use Print Screen and Paint instead.
- Black screenshots of videos: Some video players block screenshots.
A note about Windows 7
Windows 7 stopped receiving security updates in January 2020, and current browsers no longer support it. If you still use it, avoid banking or entering passwords online, and consider upgrading. On Windows 10 or 11, see how to take a partial screenshot with Windows + Shift + S.
Frequently asked questions
Where do screenshots go on Windows 7?
Print Screen copies to the clipboard only, so there’s no file until you paste and save it. The Snipping Tool saves wherever you choose.
What format should I save in?
PNG keeps text sharp. JPEG makes smaller files for photos.
Can I delay a screenshot in Windows 7?
The Windows 7 Snipping Tool doesn’t have a delay option. Use the Ctrl + Print Screen trick above to capture menus.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.