The fastest way: Press the Print Screen key
On an HP computer running Windows, the quickest screenshot method is to press the Print Screen key (often labeled PrtScn or PrtSc) on your keyboard. This key is usually in the top right area of your keyboard, above the arrow keys. When you press it, Windows copies an image of your entire screen to the clipboard — you won't see any visual confirmation, but the screenshot is saved and ready to paste.
To use the screenshot you just took, open any program that accepts images: Paint, Word, an email, or a messaging app. Right-click and select Paste, or press Ctrl + V. The screenshot will appear in that program, and you can then save it as a file.
If you want to capture only the active window instead of the whole screen, press Alt + Print Screen. This copies just the window you're currently using, which is useful when you have multiple windows open and want to focus on one.
Key Takeaways
- Press Print Screen to copy your entire screen to the clipboard, then paste it into Paint, Word, or any image-capable program.
- Press Alt + Print Screen to capture only the window you are currently using instead of the whole screen.
- Windows 10 and 11 include the Snipping Tool and Screenshot app, which let you select a specific area and save directly to a file without pasting.
- The Snip & Sketch tool (Windows 10 and 11) opens with Windows key + Shift + S and lets you draw a rectangle around the part you want to capture.
Using the Snipping Tool for more control
If you want to capture only part of your screen instead of the whole thing, the Snipping Tool gives you that option. To open it, click the Windows Start button (the four squares in the bottom left corner), type "Snipping Tool," and press Enter. The Snipping Tool window will open with a button labeled New. Click it, and your screen will dim slightly — now you can click and drag to draw a rectangle around the area you want to capture.
Once you release the mouse, the captured area appears in the Snipping Tool window. From there, you can save it as a file by clicking File and then Save As. Choose where you want to save it (your Documents folder is a common choice) and give it a name. The screenshot will be saved as an image file you can find later.
The fastest built-in method: Snip & Sketch
Windows 10 and 11 include a faster tool called Snip & Sketch (sometimes called Screenshot in Windows 11). Press Windows key + Shift + S all at once, and your screen will dim. Your cursor will change to a crosshair, and you can now draw a rectangle around the exact area you want to capture. When you release the mouse, the screenshot is copied to your clipboard and a small notification appears in the bottom right corner.
Click that notification to open the screenshot in the Snip & Sketch editor, where you can crop it, draw on it, or save it directly to a file. This method is faster than the Snipping Tool because it skips the step of opening a separate program first.
Finding your saved screenshots
If you save screenshots using the Snipping Tool or Snip & Sketch, they go to the folder you chose during the save process. Most people save them to the Documents folder or the Desktop so they're straightforward to find. You can also create a dedicated Screenshots folder to keep them organized.
If you used Print Screen and pasted into a program like Paint, you need to save that file yourself. Open Paint (click Start, type "Paint," press Enter), paste your screenshot with Ctrl + V, then click File and Save As. Choose a location and name, and Paint will save it as an image file.
Troubleshooting when Print Screen doesn't work
On some HP laptops, the Print Screen key shares space with another function and requires you to hold the Fn key (usually in the bottom left corner) at the same time. Try pressing Fn + Print Screen instead. If that doesn't work, check whether your keyboard has a special key or button that toggles function keys on and off — some gaming or specialty keyboards do.
If Print Screen still doesn't copy anything, use Snip & Sketch instead (Windows key + Shift + S). This method works on all HP computers and doesn't depend on the Print Screen key functioning correctly. It's also more reliable if your Print Screen key is damaged or stuck.
Comparing your screenshot options
| Method | Keyboard Shortcut | What It Captures | Where It Goes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Print Screen | PrtScn | Entire screen | Clipboard (paste into a program) |
| Alt + Print Screen | Alt + PrtScn | Active window only | Clipboard (paste into a program) |
| Snip & Sketch | Windows key + Shift + S | Selected area (you draw it) | Clipboard and notification (save from there) |
| Snipping Tool | Open from Start menu | Selected area (you draw it) | Snipping Tool window (save from there) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take a screenshot of just my second monitor?
Print Screen captures all monitors at once. To capture only one monitor, use Snip & Sketch (Windows key + Shift + S) and draw a rectangle around only the area you want. This lets you select just the second monitor or any portion of it.
Where does Print Screen save the image?
Print Screen doesn't save to a file — it copies to your clipboard, which is temporary storage. You must paste it into a program like Paint, Word, or an email to see it or save it. If you want a file saved automatically, use Snip & Sketch or the Snipping Tool instead.
Why isn't my Print Screen key working?
On HP laptops, Print Screen often requires the Fn key: press Fn + Print Screen together. If that doesn't work, try Snip & Sketch (Windows key + Shift + S), which doesn't rely on the Print Screen key. If neither works, your keyboard may need cleaning or repair.
Can I take a screenshot of a video or streaming content?
Print Screen and Snip & Sketch will capture most content, but some streaming services (Netflix, Disney+, some websites) use copy protection that blocks screenshots. You'll see a black rectangle where the protected content should be. This is intentional and cannot be bypassed through normal screenshot methods.
How do I take a screenshot on an HP laptop without a Print Screen key?
Use Snip & Sketch instead: press Windows key + Shift + S. This works on all HP laptops regardless of keyboard layout. You can also use the Snipping Tool by opening the Start menu and typing "Snipping Tool."