Screen Shot on PC: How to Take a Screenshot on Windows

Taking a screen shot on PC is easy. Windows gives you several built-in ways to capture your screen. You can capture the whole screen, one window, or just part of it.

The quickest method for most people is Windows + Shift + S. It opens the Snipping Tool overlay and lets you select the area you want to capture.

If you want to save the whole screen as an image, press Windows + PrtScn. Windows saves the screenshot in your Screenshots folder.

Quick Answer: How to Take a Screen Shot on PC

Choose the method that matches what you want to capture.

What you want	Shortcut or method
Part of the screen	Windows + Shift + S
Full screen	PrtScn
Full screen and save it	Windows + PrtScn
Active window	Alt + PrtScn
Screenshot with editing tools	Snipping Tool
Screenshot without a Print Screen key	Windows + Shift + S

For most users, Windows + Shift + S is the easiest place to start.

Screenshot Shortcuts on Windows

Windows has several keyboard shortcuts for screenshots. Each one works a little differently.

Windows + Shift + S

Press Windows + Shift + S to open the Snipping Tool capture overlay.

You can then select the part of the screen you want to capture. This is useful when you do not want a screenshot of your entire desktop.

Windows + PrtScn

Press Windows + PrtScn to capture the full screen and save the screenshot as a file.

You can normally find it in:

Pictures → Screenshots

PrtScn

Press PrtScn, also called Print Screen, to capture the screen to the clipboard.

You can then open Paint, Word, an email, or another compatible app and press Ctrl + V to paste the image.

The behavior of the Print Screen key can vary with Windows settings. On some systems, it can be configured to open Snipping Tool.

Alt + PrtScn

Press Alt + PrtScn to capture the active window.

This is useful when you want one application window instead of the entire desktop.

How to Screenshot Part of Your Screen

Sometimes you only need one part of the screen.

For example, you may want to capture:

• A paragraph
• A picture
• A chart
• A message
• A section of a webpage

The easiest method is Windows + Shift + S.

1. Press Windows + Shift + S.
2. Your screen will become darker.
3. The Snipping Tool menu will appear.
4. Choose the capture mode you need.
5. Drag your mouse over the area you want.
6. Release the mouse button.
7. The screenshot is copied to the clipboard.
8. Select the notification if you want to open it in Snipping Tool.
9. Edit or save the screenshot.

You can use rectangular, freeform, window, or full-screen capture modes.

How to Take a Full Screen Screenshot

If you want to capture everything on your screen, you have two simple options.

Use PrtScn

Press PrtScn.

The screenshot is copied to your clipboard. Open an app such as Paint and press Ctrl + V.

You can then save the image.

Use Windows + PrtScn

Press Windows + PrtScn.

This captures the full screen and saves the screenshot as an image file.

Open:

File Explorer → Pictures → Screenshots

This method is useful when you want Windows to save the screenshot for you.

How to Screenshot One Window

You may not want to show your entire desktop.

If you only need one application window, use Alt + PrtScn.

First, click the window you want to capture.

Then press:

Alt + PrtScn

The screenshot is copied to your clipboard.

Open Paint or another app and press Ctrl + V.

You can now edit and save the screenshot.

How to Use the Snipping Tool

The Snipping Tool is Windows’ built-in screenshot app.

You can open it from the Start menu. Search for Snipping Tool and open the app.

You can also press Windows + Shift + S to start a screen capture.

Rectangular Snip

Use this mode to select a rectangular part of the screen.

It is useful for most normal screenshots.

Freeform Snip

Use freeform capture when you want to draw around an irregular area.

Window Snip

Use Window Snip when you want to capture one open window.

Full-Screen Snip

Use Full-Screen Snip to capture the entire screen.

After taking a snip, you can edit, crop, annotate, copy, save, or share it.

How to Save a Screenshot on PC

The way a screenshot is saved depends on the method you use.

With PrtScn, the screenshot is copied to the clipboard. You need to paste it into an app and save it.

With Windows + PrtScn, Windows saves the screenshot as an image file.

With Snipping Tool, you can open the captured image and use the save option to choose where to store it.

This difference is important because many people take a screenshot and then wonder where the image went.

Where Are Screenshots Saved on Windows?

If you used Windows + PrtScn, check:

File Explorer → Pictures → Screenshots

If you used PrtScn, the image may only be on your clipboard.

Try opening Paint and pressing:

Ctrl + V

You can also use Windows + V to check your clipboard history if it is enabled.

If you still cannot find the image, take another screenshot with Windows + PrtScn. Then check the Screenshots folder.

How to Screenshot Without a Print Screen Key

Some keyboards do not have a separate Print Screen key.

You can still take a screenshot.

The easiest option is:

Windows + Shift + S

This opens the Snipping Tool capture overlay.

Some laptop keyboards also place the Print Screen function on another key. In that case, you may need to use Fn with that key.

On supported devices without a dedicated PrtScn key, Microsoft also documents Fn + Windows logo key + Space Bar as an alternative screenshot shortcut.

How to Screenshot on a Laptop

You can use the same Windows screenshot methods on most Windows laptops.

Try:

Windows + Shift + S

or:

Windows + PrtScn

If your laptop uses the Print Screen function as a secondary key, try holding Fn while pressing that key.

The exact keyboard layout can vary between Dell, HP, Lenovo, ASUS, Acer, and other laptop brands.

You do not usually need a separate screenshot program just because you are using a laptop.

Windows 10 vs. Windows 11 Screenshot Methods

Both Windows 10 and Windows 11 support common screenshot methods such as:

• Print Screen
• Windows + PrtScn
• Windows + Shift + S
• Alt + PrtScn
• Snipping Tool

The design and some settings can look different between the two versions.

If you are unsure which method to use, Windows + Shift + S is a simple option for capturing a selected area.

How to Edit and Annotate a Screenshot

You may want to mark something before sending your screenshot.

Snipping Tool includes tools for working with captured images. You can crop, draw, highlight, and make other edits.

You can also paste the screenshot into Microsoft Paint if you need more editing options.

This is useful for:

• Highlighting an error
• Pointing to a button
• Marking important text
• Explaining a problem
• Preparing an image for a report

How to Take a Scrolling Screenshot

A normal screenshot only captures what is visible on your screen.

A scrolling screenshot can capture a longer page that extends below the visible area.

Windows does not have one universal shortcut that captures every long webpage or application.

For a long webpage, use a browser’s full-page capture feature when available. You can also use a dedicated screenshot tool that supports scrolling capture.

This is useful for long articles, receipts, webpages, and documents.

How to Screenshot a Webpage

There are two common situations.

If you only need the visible part of a webpage, use:

Windows + Shift + S

If you need the entire webpage, including content below the visible area, use a browser’s full-page capture option or a screenshot tool that supports scrolling captures.

A full webpage screenshot can be useful when saving:

• Online receipts
• Long articles
• Website designs
• Search results
• Online forms

How to Take a Screenshot While Gaming

You can also capture screenshots while gaming on a Windows PC.

Xbox Game Bar provides built-in game capture features. Some gaming platforms also have their own screenshot shortcuts.

For example, Steam has built in screenshot controls.

If you only need a normal desktop capture, the standard Windows screenshot shortcuts may also work.

Screenshot Not Working on PC? Try These Fixes

If your screenshot shortcut does not work, try these solutions.

Try Windows + Shift + S

This is a simple alternative to the Print Screen key.

Check the Fn Key

Your laptop may require Fn when using the Print Screen function.

Open Snipping Tool Manually

Search for Snipping Tool from the Start menu.

Open it and select New to take a screenshot.

Check the Screenshot Folder

If you used Windows + PrtScn, check:

Pictures → Screenshots

Check the Clipboard

If you used PrtScn, open Paint and press:

Ctrl + V

Check Your Keyboard

Make sure the screenshot keys are working.

Try another keyboard if one is available.

Restart Snipping Tool

Close Snipping Tool and open it again.

Check Windows Updates

If built-in screenshot features continue to have problems, check for available Windows updates.

Which Screenshot Method Should You Use?

The right method depends on what you need.

Need a small part of the screen?

Use Windows + Shift + S.

Need the entire screen saved as a file?

Use Windows + PrtScn.

Need to copy the full screen into another app?

Use PrtScn.

Need only one active window?

Use Alt + PrtScn.

Need to edit or annotate your screenshot?

Use Snipping Tool.

Need a long webpage?

Use a full-page browser capture feature or a tool that supports scrolling screenshots.

Do not have a Print Screen key?

Use Windows + Shift + S or an available Fn-based shortcut.

FAQs

Final Answer

For most people, Windows + Shift + S is the easiest way to take a screen shot on PC.

Use Windows + PrtScn when you want to save a full-screen screenshot as an image.

Use Alt + PrtScn when you only need the active window.

If you do not have a Print Screen key, Snipping Tool gives you another simple way to capture your screen.

For more Windows tips, you can also explore WISInsider Software.