The fastest way to screenshot depends on your operating system
The method you use to capture your screen changes based on whether you are running Windows, macOS, or a Chromebook. Windows and Mac both have built-in screenshot tools that work without downloading anything. Chromebooks have their own dedicated screenshot button. Once you take the screenshot, the image is saved to your computer or copied to your clipboard, ready to paste into an email, document, or messaging app.
The keyboard shortcut is almost always faster than hunting through menus. Learning which keys to press for your system takes about 30 seconds and will save you time every time you need to capture something on screen.
Key Takeaways
- On Windows, press Print Screen to copy the entire screen, or Windows key + Shift + S to select just part of the screen.
- On Mac, press Command + Shift + 3 for the full screen, or Command + Shift + 4 to select a portion.
- On Chromebook, press Ctrl + Show Windows (the Show Windows key is usually where F5 would be on other keyboards).
- After taking a screenshot, you can paste it directly into documents, emails, or messaging apps using Ctrl + V (Windows/Chromebook) or Command + V (Mac).
- Screenshots are saved to your Downloads folder or Pictures folder by default, though the exact location varies by system.
Taking a screenshot on Windows
The simplest method on Windows is to press Print Screen (often labeled PrtScn or PrtSc). This copies an image of your entire screen to the clipboard. You can then paste it into any program—Word, Paint, Gmail, Slack—by pressing Ctrl + V. The image does not automatically save as a file; it only lives in your clipboard until you paste it somewhere.
If you want to capture only part of your screen, press Windows key + Shift + S. Your screen will dim slightly and your cursor will change to a crosshair. Click and drag to draw a rectangle around the area you want to capture. When you release the mouse, the selected area is copied to your clipboard. A small notification will appear in the bottom right corner; clicking it opens the Snipping Tool, where you can edit the screenshot before saving it.
To save a screenshot directly as a file without pasting it first, press Windows key + Print Screen. This automatically saves a full-screen image to your Pictures folder in a subfolder called Screenshots. The file is named with the date and time it was taken.
Taking a screenshot on Mac
On a Mac, press Command + Shift + 3 to capture your entire screen. The screenshot is automatically saved to your Desktop as a file with a name like "Screenshot 2024-01-15 at 2.30.45 PM.png". You will hear a camera shutter sound when the screenshot is taken.
To capture only part of your screen, press Command + Shift + 4. Your cursor will turn into a crosshair. Click and drag to select the area you want. When you release the mouse, the selected portion is saved to your Desktop. If you change your mind while dragging, press Escape to cancel.
If you want to copy a screenshot to your clipboard instead of saving it as a file, hold down the Space bar while using either shortcut. For example, Command + Shift + 3 + Space bar copies the full screen to your clipboard, and Command + Shift + 4 + Space bar lets you select an area and copy it. You can then paste it into an email or document with Command + V.
Taking a screenshot on Chromebook
On a Chromebook, press Ctrl + Show Windows. The Show Windows key is usually located in the top row of your keyboard where the F5 key would be on a standard keyboard—it shows a rectangle with lines representing windows. Your entire screen will be captured and saved to your Downloads folder as a PNG file.
To capture only part of your screen on a Chromebook, press Ctrl + Shift + Show Windows. Your screen will dim and your cursor will become a crosshair. Click and drag to select the area you want to capture. When you release the mouse, the selected portion is saved to your Downloads folder.
If you want to copy a screenshot to your clipboard instead of saving it, press Ctrl + Alt + Show Windows for the full screen, or Ctrl + Alt + Shift + Show Windows to select a portion. You can then paste it directly into Gmail, Google Docs, or any other app using Ctrl + V.
Where screenshots are saved and how to find them
On Windows, full-screen screenshots taken with Windows key + Print Screen go to your Pictures folder in a subfolder called Screenshots. Screenshots taken with the Snipping Tool (Windows key + Shift + S) are copied to your clipboard but not automatically saved; you must paste them into a program and save manually, or click the notification to open the Snipping Tool and save from there.
On Mac, screenshots are saved to your Desktop by default. If you have taken many screenshots, your Desktop can become cluttered. You can move them to a folder later, or change the default save location using the Screenshot app (press Command + Shift + 5 to open it, then click Options and choose a different folder).
On Chromebook, screenshots are saved to your Downloads folder. You can open your Files app and navigate to Downloads to see them. If you want to move a screenshot to a different folder, right-click it and select Move to organize your files.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
The most common mistake is pressing Print Screen and then wondering where the image went. Remember: Print Screen copies to your clipboard, it does not save a file. You must paste it somewhere (Ctrl + V) to see it. If you want a file saved automatically, use Windows key + Print Screen instead.
Another mistake is taking a screenshot and then closing the program you wanted to capture before pasting. Once you close the program, the image is still in your clipboard, but you may forget what you were trying to capture. Paste the screenshot when ready after taking it, or take a second screenshot to be safe.
On Mac, forgetting that screenshots go to your Desktop can lead to a messy workspace. If this bothers you, open the Screenshot app (Command + Shift + 5) and change the save location to a dedicated folder before taking screenshots.
On Chromebook, pressing the wrong key combination is straightforward because the Show Windows key is unfamiliar. Write down the shortcut or take a photo of your keyboard until it becomes automatic.
Editing and sharing screenshots after you take them
After taking a screenshot, you may want to add arrows, text, or blur sensitive information before sharing it. On Windows, the Snipping Tool (search for it in the Start menu) lets you annotate screenshots. On Mac, the Screenshot app (Command + Shift + 5) has built-in markup tools. On Chromebook, you can use the built-in markup feature by right-clicking the screenshot in your Files app and selecting "Open with" and then "Gallery" or "Photos".
If you want a more powerful editing tool, free programs like Paint (Windows), Preview (Mac), or online tools like Pixlr or Canva work on any system. straightforward open your screenshot in the editor, make your changes, and save the file with a new name so you keep the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take a screenshot of just one window instead of the whole screen?
On Windows, press Alt + Print Screen to capture only the active window. On Mac, press Command + Shift + 4, then press Space bar, and click the window you want. On Chromebook, use Ctrl + Shift + Show Windows and drag to select just the window area.
What if my Print Screen key does not work?
On some laptops, Print Screen requires holding Fn + Print Screen. Check your keyboard for an Fn key, usually in the bottom left corner. If that does not work, try the keyboard shortcut for your operating system instead: Windows key + Shift + S on Windows, or Command + Shift + 3 on Mac.
Can I take a screenshot of my entire screen if it is larger than my monitor?
No, screenshots capture only what is visible on your monitor at that moment. If you need to capture a long webpage or document, use your browser's built-in screenshot tool (right-click and select "Take a screenshot" in Chrome or Firefox) or a tool like Snagit that can capture scrolling content.
How do I take a screenshot on a Mac without saving it to the Desktop?
Press Command + Shift + 5 to open the Screenshot app. Click Options at the bottom and choose a different save location, such as Documents or a specific folder. After that, all screenshots will save to your chosen location instead of the Desktop.
Can I take a screenshot if my screen is locked?
No, you cannot take a screenshot of a locked screen on any system. You must unlock your computer first. However, once unlocked, you can screenshot the lock screen itself if you want to capture what it looks like.