The fastest way to screenshot on ASUS Windows computers

On most ASUS computers running Windows, press Print Screen (often labeled PrtScn) to capture your entire screen. The image copies to your clipboard — you won't see it save anywhere, but you can paste it into Paint, Word, email, or any other program by pressing Ctrl+V.

If you want to capture only part of your screen, press Windows key + Shift + S. Your screen will dim and a crosshair cursor appears. Click and drag to select the area you want, then release. That selection copies to your clipboard the same way.

For a full-screen capture that saves automatically as a file instead of just copying to your clipboard, press Windows key + Print Screen. Windows saves the image as a PNG file in your Pictures folder under Screenshots — you can find it by opening File Explorer, clicking Pictures on the left, then opening the Screenshots folder.

Key Takeaways

  • Print Screen copies your entire screen to the clipboard; paste it anywhere with Ctrl+V.
  • Windows key + Shift + S lets you select and capture just part of your screen.
  • Windows key + Print Screen saves a full-screen capture as a file directly to your Pictures/Screenshots folder.
  • ASUS laptops use the same screenshot methods as any Windows computer — the ASUS brand does not change how screenshots work.

Using the Snipping Tool for more control

If you need more options than the quick shortcuts offer, Windows includes a built-in tool called Snipping Tool. Open it by pressing Windows key and typing "snipping tool," then press Enter. The tool opens with a New button at the top.

Click New and you can choose between four capture modes: Free-form (draw any shape), Rectangular (drag a box), Window (click a specific window), or Full screen. After you select your mode and capture the image, Snipping Tool displays it in an editor where you can crop, draw on it, or erase parts before saving.

Snipping Tool saves files as PNG or JPEG in whatever folder you choose. This method takes longer than Print Screen but gives you a chance to edit before saving, which is useful if you need to mark up or highlight something in the screenshot.

Screenshots on ASUS laptops with function keys

Some ASUS laptops require you to hold the Fn key while pressing Print Screen, depending on your keyboard layout. If Print Screen alone does not work, try Fn + Print Screen instead. The result is the same — the image copies to your clipboard.

You can check whether your ASUS laptop uses Fn by looking at the Print Screen key itself. If the label shows two functions (one printed in white, one in a different color), you likely need to hold Fn. Your ASUS manual or support page for your specific model will confirm this.

Finding and opening your saved screenshots

Screenshots taken with Windows key + Print Screen save automatically to your Pictures folder. Open File Explorer (the folder icon on your taskbar), click Pictures on the left side, then double-click the Screenshots folder. Your images appear as PNG files with names like "Screenshot (1).png" and "Screenshot (2).png," listed with the newest first.

You can rename, move, or delete these files like any other file on your computer. Right-click any screenshot to open it with Paint, your default photo viewer, or any other program you choose.

Pasting screenshots into documents and email

After you take a screenshot with Print Screen or Windows key + Shift + S, the image sits in your clipboard ready to paste. Open the program where you want it — Word, Gmail, Outlook, Paint, or any other — and press Ctrl+V. The screenshot appears when ready.

This method works in almost every Windows program. If Ctrl+V does not work, look for a Paste option in the Edit menu at the top of the window. Some programs also let you right-click and select Paste from the menu that appears.

Troubleshooting when screenshots are not working

If Print Screen does not copy anything to your clipboard, check whether your keyboard has a secondary function layer. Some ASUS laptops require Fn + Print Screen, or the Print Screen key might be combined with another key (like F12). Try holding Fn and pressing the key again.

If Windows key + Shift + S does not open the selection tool, your keyboard might have a custom ASUS utility running instead. Check your system tray (the icons on the far right of your taskbar) for ASUS-branded software and open its settings to see if it has remapped that shortcut. You can usually disable or change it there.

If you have tried both methods and nothing works, restart your computer. Sometimes a stuck process prevents the screenshot function from responding. After restart, try Print Screen again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do screenshots go when I press Print Screen?

They copy to your clipboard, which is temporary storage in your computer's memory. You must paste them into a program (like Paint or Word) or save them before you shut down, or they disappear. Use Windows key + Print Screen instead if you want them saved as files automatically.

Can I take a screenshot of just one window?

Yes. Open Snipping Tool and select Window mode, then click the window you want to capture. Alternatively, press Alt + Print Screen to capture only the active window and copy it to your clipboard.

What format are my screenshots saved in?

Windows key + Print Screen saves them as PNG files, which work in email, documents, and web browsers. Snipping Tool can save as PNG or JPEG — you choose when you save. Both formats are widely supported.

Do I need special software to screenshot on ASUS?

No. ASUS computers use Windows' built-in screenshot tools, which work the same way on any Windows computer. You do not need to install anything extra.