The fastest way to take a screenshot on Windows 11 or Windows 10 is to press Windows key + Shift + S, drag to select the part of the screen you want, and paste it anywhere with Ctrl + V. To save a full-screen screenshot as a file automatically, press Windows key + Print Screen. It’s saved to Pictures > Screenshots. For just the active window, press Alt + Print Screen. On Windows 11, pressing Print Screen by itself opens the Snipping Tool.
Windows screenshot shortcuts at a glance
| Shortcut | What it captures | Where it goes |
|---|---|---|
| Windows + Shift + S | An area, window, full screen, or freeform shape | Clipboard, plus a notification to edit and save. Windows 11 also saves it to Pictures > Screenshots by default. |
| Print Screen | Opens the Snipping Tool on Windows 11. On Windows 10, copies the full screen. | Clipboard |
| Windows + Print Screen | Full screen | Saved to Pictures > Screenshots |
| Alt + Print Screen | The active window | Clipboard |
| Windows + Alt + Print Screen | The active window (Game Bar) | Saved to Videos > Captures |
Method 1: Windows + Shift + S (capture any part of the screen)
- Press Windows key + Shift + S. The screen dims and a small toolbar appears at the top.
- Choose a mode: Rectangle, Window, Full screen, or Freeform.
- Drag to select the area (or click a window).
- Paste the screenshot into an email, chat, or document with Ctrl + V. To edit or save it, click the notification that appears in the bottom-right corner.
Method 2: Save a full-screen screenshot automatically
- Press Windows key + Print Screen. The screen dims for a moment.
- Open File Explorer and go to Pictures > Screenshots to find the file.
If you have more than one monitor, this captures all of them in one image. To capture a single screen, use Windows + Shift + S and choose Full screen or Window.
Method 3: Use the Print Screen key
- Windows 11: Pressing Print Screen opens the Snipping Tool capture bar, just like Windows + Shift + S. To make it copy the whole screen instead, go to Settings > Accessibility > Keyboard and turn off Use the Print screen key to open screen capture.
- Windows 10: Pressing Print Screen copies the whole screen to the clipboard. Paste it into Paint, Word, or an email with Ctrl + V.
- Alt + Print Screen: Copies only the window you’re using.
Method 4: Use the Snipping Tool app
- Click Start, type Snipping Tool, and open it.
- Choose a mode and, if you need time to open a menu, pick a delay of 3, 5, or 10 seconds.
- Click New (or + New) and select the area.
- Use the pen, highlighter, and crop tools, then click Save (or press Ctrl + S).
On Windows 11, the Snipping Tool can also record your screen as a video, and its Text actions button can copy text from a screenshot. See how to extract text from a screenshot in Windows 11.
No Print Screen key? (laptops and compact keyboards)
- Use Windows + Shift + S, which doesn’t need Print Screen at all.
- On many laptops, Print Screen shares a key with another function. Press Fn + Print Screen, or Fn + Windows + Print Screen to save a file. It may be labeled PrtSc, PrtScn, or Prt Sc.
- On 60% keyboards, check the keyboard’s function layer, often Fn + P or a similar key.
- Open the On-Screen Keyboard (Windows + Ctrl + O) and click PrtScn.
Method 5: Game Bar (games and apps)
Press Windows + Alt + Print Screen to save a screenshot of the active window, or Windows + G to open Game Bar and click the camera icon. Game Bar screenshots are saved in Videos > Captures.
How to crop and edit a screenshot
- Click the notification after taking a screenshot, or open the image in Snipping Tool or Photos.
- Click the Crop tool, drag the corners, and apply the crop.
- Draw, highlight, or add shapes, then save with Ctrl + S.
Where are screenshots saved on Windows?
- Windows + Print Screen and Windows 11 Snipping Tool captures: Pictures > Screenshots.
- Game Bar: Videos > Captures.
- Print Screen, Alt + Print Screen, and Windows 10’s Windows + Shift + S: only the clipboard until you paste or save them.
- If OneDrive is backing up screenshots, look in OneDrive > Pictures > Screenshots.
Screenshot not working?
- Turn on clipboard history with Windows + V to see recent screenshots you copied.
- Check that Snipping Tool notifications are on in Settings > System > Notifications.
- Some apps, like streaming video services, block screenshots on purpose and show a black image.
- Update or reinstall Snipping Tool from the Microsoft Store if the shortcut stops working.
- OneDrive or Dropbox can take over the Print Screen key. Check their settings if Print Screen saves files unexpectedly.
Other screenshot guides
- How to take a scrolling screenshot on Windows
- How to screenshot one screen with dual monitors
- How to take a screenshot on an HP laptop
- How to take a screenshot with a German keyboard
Frequently asked questions
How do I screenshot just one window?
Click the window, then press Alt + Print Screen to copy it, or use Windows + Shift + S and choose Window mode.
How do I take a screenshot on a Windows laptop?
Press Windows + Shift + S, or Fn + Windows + Print Screen if your laptop’s Print Screen key shares a function.
Is the Snipping Tool free?
Yes. It’s built into Windows 10 and Windows 11. If it’s missing, install it free from the Microsoft Store.
Can I take a screenshot with a delay?
Yes. Open the Snipping Tool and choose a 3, 5, or 10-second delay before clicking New.
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.