Taking a screenshot on an HP laptop lets you save whatever is on your Windows screen as an image you can share or keep. Windows offers several built-in ways to do this without extra software.
What you'll need
- An HP laptop running Windows
Step by step
- Capture the whole screenPress the Print Screen key (often labeled PrtScn) to copy the entire screen to the clipboard, then paste it into an app to save it.
- Save it straight to a filePress the Windows key and Print Screen together. The screen dims briefly and the image is saved automatically.
- Grab just one windowClick the window you want, then press Alt and Print Screen to copy only that window to the clipboard.
- Select a custom areaPress the Windows key, Shift, and S together to open the Snipping Tool, then drag to select the exact region you need.
- Paste or find your shotPaste clipboard captures into Paint, Word, or an email with Ctrl and V. Auto-saved shots land in the Pictures folder under Screenshots.
Handy tips
- If PrtScn shares a key with another function, hold the Fn key while pressing it.
- The Snipping Tool lets you annotate and crop before you save, which saves a separate editing step.
- Copied screenshots stay on the clipboard only until you copy something else, so paste them before moving on.
FAQ
Where are my saved screenshots on an HP laptop?
Screenshots taken with the Windows key plus Print Screen are saved in the Pictures folder inside a subfolder called Screenshots.
Why does Print Screen not seem to do anything?
It copies to the clipboard silently, so nothing appears to happen. Paste it into an app to confirm, or use the Windows key plus Print Screen to save a visible file.
Is there a keyboard shortcut for a partial screenshot?
Yes. Press the Windows key, Shift, and S together to open the snip tool and drag a box around the part you want.