A snapshot (screenshot) captures what’s on your screen as an image you can paste, save or share. Windows has several built-in ways to take one: keyboard shortcuts for the whole screen or one window, the Snipping Tool for any area, and Game Bar for games. This guide covers every method on Windows 11 and Windows 10, where the images are saved, and how to capture a scrolling page or a delayed menu.
Quick Answer
Press Windows + Shift + S, choose a mode (rectangle, window, full screen or freeform) and select the area. The snapshot is copied to the clipboard and a notification opens it in Snipping Tool, where you can save it. Press Windows + PrtScn to save a full-screen snapshot straight to Pictures > Screenshots.
All Snapshot Shortcuts at a Glance
| Shortcut | What it captures | Where it goes |
|---|---|---|
| Windows + Shift + S | Area, window or full screen | Clipboard + Snipping Tool |
| PrtScn | Full screen (on Windows 11, may open Snipping Tool instead) | Clipboard |
| Windows + PrtScn | Full screen | Pictures > Screenshots |
| Alt + PrtScn | Active window | Clipboard |
| Windows + Alt + PrtScn | Active window (Game Bar) | Videos > Captures |
| Windows + Shift + R | Screen recording (Snipping Tool) | Videos > Screen Recordings |
On laptops, you may need to press Fn with PrtScn.
Method 1: Snipping Tool (Any Area)
- Press Windows + Shift + S, or open Snipping Tool from Start and click New.
- Choose Rectangle, Window, Full screen or Freeform on the toolbar.
- Drag to select the area, or click a window.
- Click the notification to open the snapshot. Use the pen, highlighter, crop or Text actions (copy text from the image) tools.
- Press Ctrl + S to save it as PNG, JPG or GIF.
In current Snipping Tool versions, snapshots can be saved automatically to Pictures > Screenshots; check ⋯ > Settings > Automatically save screenshots.
Method 2: Print Screen Key
- Press PrtScn to copy the whole screen, or Alt + PrtScn for just the active window.
- Paste with Ctrl + V into Paint, Word, an email or a chat.
On Windows 11 (and recent Windows 10 updates), PrtScn may open Snipping Tool instead. Change this in Settings > Accessibility > Keyboard > Use the Print screen key to open screen capture.
Method 3: Save Instantly With Windows + PrtScn
Press Windows + PrtScn. The screen dims briefly, and a PNG is saved to C:\Users\YourName\Pictures\Screenshots, numbered in order. If OneDrive backs up screenshots, check OneDrive > Pictures > Screenshots instead.
Method 4: Game Bar
In a game or app, press Windows + Alt + PrtScn, or press Windows + G and click the camera icon in the Capture widget. Snapshots go to Videos > Captures.
Capture Menus or Tooltips (Delay)
Open Snipping Tool, click the clock (delay) icon and choose 3, 5 or 10 seconds. Click New, then open the menu before the timer ends.
Capture a Full Scrolling Web Page
- Microsoft Edge: press Ctrl + Shift + S and choose Capture full page.
- Chrome: press F12, then Ctrl + Shift + P, type screenshot and choose Capture full size screenshot.
Troubleshooting
- Nothing happens: some keyboards need Fn + PrtScn or have an F Lock key.
- Black snapshot: streaming video apps often block screenshots of protected content.
- Windows + Shift + S doesn’t work: update Snipping Tool from the Microsoft Store and make sure notifications for it are turned on in Settings > System > Notifications.
- Can’t find saved files: search Screenshots in File Explorer or open Snipping Tool’s recent captures.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a snapshot the same as a screenshot?
Yes. “Snapshot,” “screenshot,” “screen grab” and “snip” all mean an image of your screen.
Can I take a snapshot of just one monitor?
Use Windows + Shift + S and the Full screen mode, then click the monitor you want.
Does this work on Windows 7?
PrtScn and Alt + PrtScn work, and Windows 7 has an older Snipping Tool, but Windows + Shift + S isn’t available.
Summary
- Windows + Shift + S for any area.
- Windows + PrtScn to save the full screen automatically.
- Alt + PrtScn for one window.
- Paste with Ctrl + V or save from Snipping Tool.
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.