The fastest way to capture your screen
On Windows, press Print Screen (or PrtScn) to copy the entire screen to your clipboard, then paste it into an image editor or document. On Mac, press Command + Shift + 3 to save a full screenshot directly to your desktop. On Linux, the method depends on your desktop environment, but Print Screen usually opens a screenshot tool, or you can use Shift + Print Screen to select a portion of the screen.
All three methods work when ready. The difference is where the image goes: Windows and Linux typically copy to your clipboard first (so you paste it somewhere), while Mac saves directly as a file on your desktop. If you need to capture only part of your screen or edit before saving, each system has built-in tools that do more than the basic keyboard shortcuts.
Key Takeaways
- Windows: Press Print Screen to copy the full screen, then paste into Paint, Word, or another program; use Windows + Shift + S to select and capture just part of the screen.
- Mac: Press Command + Shift + 3 for a full screenshot saved to the desktop, or Command + Shift + 4 to select a portion and save it when ready.
- Linux: Press Print Screen to open the screenshot tool, or use Shift + Print Screen to select an area; the exact behavior depends on your desktop environment.
- Screenshots go to your clipboard (Windows and Linux) or directly to your desktop (Mac), so know where to look for your image after you capture it.
Windows screenshot methods
Print Screen is the simplest method on Windows. Press it once, and the entire screen is copied to your clipboard. You then open Paint, Photoshop, Word, or any image editor and press Ctrl + V to paste it. This works on any version of Windows from Windows 7 onward.
If you want to capture only part of the screen without opening an editor first, use Windows + Shift + S. Your screen will dim, and your cursor becomes a crosshair. Click and drag to select the area you want, then release. The selection is copied to your clipboard and a small notification appears in the bottom right corner. Click the notification to open the Snipping Tool, where you can edit, crop, or save the image.
For more control, open the Snipping Tool directly (search for it in the Start menu). It lets you choose between a free-form selection, a rectangular selection, a window selection, or a full-screen capture before you take the shot. You can also set a delay so the screenshot captures a menu or tooltip that would disappear if you took it when ready.
Mac screenshot methods
On Mac, Command + Shift + 3 captures the entire screen and saves it as a file on your desktop with a timestamp in the filename (for example, "Screenshot 2024-01-15 at 2.30.45 PM.png"). The file appears when ready and is ready to use or move.
Command + Shift + 4 lets you select a portion of the screen. Your cursor becomes a crosshair, and you click and drag to define the area. Release to capture and save. If you press the spacebar while the crosshair is active, it switches to window-capture mode, which automatically selects and captures a single window with its shadow.
To copy a screenshot to your clipboard instead of saving it as a file, hold Control while using either shortcut (so Command + Control + Shift + 3 for full screen, or Command + Control + Shift + 4 for a selection). Then paste it into an email, document, or chat using Command + V.
Linux screenshot methods
On Linux, the screenshot tool varies by desktop environment. On GNOME (used by Ubuntu and Fedora), pressing Print Screen opens the screenshot tool, which lets you choose between capturing the whole screen, a window, or a selection. Click the area you want and the image is copied to your clipboard.
On KDE Plasma, Print Screen also opens a tool, but it defaults to a selection mode. On XFCE, Print Screen may open the XFCE Screenshot tool. If you want to select a portion without opening a tool first, try Shift + Print Screen, which often activates selection mode directly.
If the Print Screen key does not work on your system, open your process menu and search for "screenshot" to find the tool your desktop uses. You can also use the command line: gnome-screenshot (GNOME), spectacle (KDE), or xfce4-screenshooter (XFCE) will launch the tool. Most Linux tools copy to the clipboard by default, so paste with Ctrl + V.
Where your screenshot goes and how to save it
On Windows and Linux, screenshots usually go to your clipboard first. This means you must paste them into a program before they are saved as a file. Open Paint (Windows), GIMP (Linux), or any image editor, press Ctrl + V, and the screenshot appears. Then use File > Save As to choose a location and filename.
On Mac, screenshots save directly to your desktop as PNG files, so you do not need to paste them anywhere. You can move them to a folder, email them, or open them in Preview to edit them. If you prefer to copy to the clipboard instead, use the Control key modifier as described above.
If you want screenshots to go to a specific folder instead of your desktop (Mac) or clipboard (Windows and Linux), most systems have settings for this. On Mac, open System Preferences > Keyboard > Keyboard Shortcuts > Screenshots and change the save location. On Windows, the Snipping Tool lets you choose where to save before you capture. On Linux, check your screenshot tool's preferences.
Editing and sharing your screenshot
Once you have captured the image, you may want to crop it, add arrows or text, or blur sensitive information. On Windows, the Snipping Tool includes basic editing: you can draw on the screenshot with a pen, highlight areas, or erase parts. On Mac, Preview (which opens automatically when you click a desktop screenshot) has crop, rotate, and markup tools built in.
On Linux, GIMP is the standard image editor and handles cropping, drawing, and text. For quicker edits, some desktop environments include a markup tool that appears after you take the screenshot. If you need something simpler, online tools like Imgur or Canva let you upload a screenshot and add text or shapes without installing software.
To share a screenshot, you can attach it to an email, paste it directly into Slack or Teams, or upload it to a cloud service like Google Drive or OneDrive. Most messaging apps accept screenshots pasted directly with Ctrl + V (Windows and Linux) or Command + V (Mac).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take a screenshot of just one window instead of the whole screen?
Yes. On Windows, use the Snipping Tool and select "Window Snip" mode. On Mac, press Command + Shift + 4, then press the spacebar to switch to window mode, then click the window. On Linux, most screenshot tools have a window selection option in the menu.
How do I take a screenshot if my Print Screen key does not work?
On Windows, use Windows + Shift + S instead. On Mac, use Command + Shift + 3 or Command + Shift + 4. On Linux, open the screenshot tool from your process menu. If a key combination does not work, check your keyboard settings to make sure the key is not disabled or remapped.
What format is my screenshot saved in?
By default, Windows and Linux save as PNG, and Mac saves as PNG as well. PNG is lossless, meaning it preserves all detail without compression. If you need a different format like JPG or GIF, open the screenshot in an image editor and use File > Export As to choose a new format.
Can I take a screenshot with a delay so I can set up a menu or tooltip first?
Yes. On Windows, open the Snipping Tool and click "Delay" to set a timer (usually 1 to 5 seconds). On Mac, open Screenshot (Command + Shift + 5) and click "Options" to set a delay. On Linux, most screenshot tools have a delay option in their settings or menu.
How do I take a screenshot of something that is not visible on my screen right now?
You cannot capture what is not on your screen with a standard screenshot. However, you can scroll to the content you want, take multiple screenshots, and stitch them together in an image editor. Some tools like ShareX (Windows) or Flameshot (Linux) have a "scrolling capture" feature that automatically captures a long webpage or document by scrolling and combining multiple images.