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2 min read
Updated March 2026

How to Screenshot on Windows

5 easy methods to capture your Windows screen

Quick Answer

Press PrtScn for full screen, Win + Shift + S for Snip & Sketch, or use the Snipping Tool app.

Step-by-Step Guide

1

Full Screen Screenshot

Press PrtScn (Print Screen) to capture the entire screen. The image is copied to your clipboard.

💡Paste with Ctrl + V into Paint or any image editor to save it.
2

Screenshot and Auto-Save

Press Win + PrtScn to capture the screen and automatically save it to Pictures > Screenshots folder.

💡Your screen will briefly dim to confirm the screenshot was taken.
3

Use Snip & Sketch

Press Win + Shift + S to open Snip & Sketch. Select rectangular, freeform, window, or fullscreen snip.

💡Click the notification that appears to edit and annotate your screenshot.
4

Active Window Only

Press Alt + PrtScn to capture only the currently active window instead of the entire screen.

💡This is perfect for capturing a single application without the taskbar.
5

Use Snipping Tool

Search for Snipping Tool in the Start menu. Click New and select the area to capture.

💡You can set a delay timer for capturing menus and tooltips.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are Windows screenshots saved?

If you use Win + PrtScn, screenshots are saved to Pictures > Screenshots. Otherwise, they're copied to clipboard.

How do I screenshot on a laptop without PrtScn key?

Use Win + Shift + S for Snip & Sketch, or try Fn + Windows logo key + Space bar on some laptops.

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