A screenshot lets you save exactly what is on your Windows screen so you can share it, keep a record, or ask for help. Windows offers several built-in ways to capture the full screen, a single window, or a region you draw yourself.
Step by step
- Capture the full screen to the clipboardPress the Print Screen key, often labeled PrtScn. This copies the whole screen so you can paste it into an app like Paint, Word, or a chat window.
- Capture one windowClick the window you want, then press Alt and Print Screen together. Only that window is copied to the clipboard, ready to paste.
- Use the Snipping ToolPress the Windows key, Shift, and S at the same time. The screen dims and a small bar appears so you can drag a rectangle, capture a window, or grab the full screen.
- Save straight to a filePress the Windows key and Print Screen together. The screen dims briefly and the image saves automatically to the Screenshots folder inside Pictures.
- Paste or edit your captureOpen Paint or another app and press Control and V to paste a clipboard capture, then save it. Snips also appear as a notification you can click to mark up and save.
Handy tips
- The Windows key plus Shift plus S combination is the most flexible; you can grab any shape of region and then click the preview to annotate it.
- If Print Screen does nothing, some keyboards need you to hold the Fn key at the same time.
- Files saved with Windows key plus Print Screen are numbered automatically, so you never overwrite an older shot.
FAQ
Where are my screenshots saved on Windows?
Captures made with Windows key plus Print Screen save to the Screenshots folder inside your Pictures library. Clipboard captures are not saved until you paste and save them yourself.
Why doesn't my Print Screen key work?
On many laptops the key shares a button with another function. Try holding the Fn key while pressing Print Screen, or use the Windows key plus Shift plus S method instead.
How do I screenshot only part of the screen?
Press Windows key, Shift, and S together, then drag a box around the area you want. The region is copied to the clipboard and shown as a preview you can edit.