Windows gives you four built-in ways to capture your screen, each suited to different tasks
The fastest method is the Print Screen key, which copies your entire screen to the clipboard so you can paste it into an email, document, or image editor. If you need to capture only one window or a specific area, Windows Snipping Tool or Snip & Sketch let you draw a box around what you want and save it directly as a file. For recording video of your screen along with audio, use Xbox Game Bar. Each method takes under a minute to learn, and you do not need any software beyond what Windows already includes.
All four tools are free and built into Windows. You do not need to read or install anything. The choice depends on whether you want a full screen or partial capture, whether you want a still image or video, and whether you want the file saved automatically or pasted into a document.
Key Takeaways
- Press Print Screen to copy your full screen to the clipboard, then paste it into Paint, Word, or any image editor.
- Use Windows Snipping Tool (Windows 10 and earlier) or Snip & Sketch (Windows 11) to capture only the part of the screen you need and save it as a file.
- Press Windows key + Shift + S to open the snipping menu when ready without hunting for the tool in your Start menu.
- Xbox Game Bar records video of your screen with sound, useful for tutorials or showing someone else what you see.
Print Screen: The simplest full-screen capture
Pressing the Print Screen key (labeled PrtScn or PrtSc on most keyboards) copies an image of your entire screen to the clipboard. You do not see anything happen on your screen — the image is invisible until you paste it somewhere. To use it: press Print Screen once, then open an image editor like Paint (search "Paint" in your Start menu), or open a document in Word or Google Docs. Right-click and select Paste, or press Ctrl + V. The screenshot appears in the document.
If you are using Paint, go to File > Save As to choose a filename and location. On some laptops, you may need to press Fn + Print Screen instead, depending on your keyboard layout. This method captures everything on your screen, including taskbars, open windows, and your cursor. If you want to remove the cursor or edit the image afterward, open it in Paint and use the eraser or crop tools.
Windows Snipping Tool and Snip & Sketch: Capture only what you need
Snipping Tool (Windows 10 and earlier versions) and Snip & Sketch (Windows 11) let you draw a box around the exact area you want to capture, rather than taking the whole screen. Both save the image as a file on your computer instead of just copying it to the clipboard. To open Snipping Tool on Windows 10: search "Snipping Tool" in your Start menu and click it. A small window appears with a New button. Click New, then click and drag to draw a box around the area you want. When you release the mouse, the captured area opens in an editor. Click File > Save As to choose where to save it and what to name it.
On Windows 11, the tool is called Snip & Sketch. Search for it in your Start menu the same way. The process is identical: click the New button, draw your box, and save. Both versions also let you capture a window (click the window-shaped button before drawing) or a freehand shape (click the pen icon) if you need something other than a rectangle. The fastest way to open either tool without using the Start menu is to press Windows key + Shift + S. Your screen dims slightly and a small toolbar appears at the top. Click the rectangle icon (or other shape if you prefer), then draw your box. The image copies to the clipboard and a notification appears in the bottom right corner. Click the notification to open an editor, or paste the image directly into a document.
Xbox Game Bar: Recording video of your screen
If you need to record a video of what is happening on your screen — not just a still image — use Xbox Game Bar. It captures video and audio together, useful for making tutorials, recording a problem to show tech support, or capturing a video call. Press Windows key + G to open Xbox Game Bar. A panel appears on the right side of your screen. Look for the camera icon (for screenshots) or the circle icon (for video recording). Click the circle to start recording. A small timer appears on your screen showing how long you have been recording.
Press Windows key + G again and click the stop button, or press Windows key + Alt + R to stop. The video saves automatically to your Videos folder in a subfolder called Captures. You can then open it in Windows Photos or any video player. The file size is usually large, so if you plan to email it or upload it, you may need to compress it or trim it first using a tool like Windows Photos or a free online video editor.
Alt + Print Screen: Capture only the active window
If multiple windows are open and you want to capture only the one you are currently using, press Alt + Print Screen. This copies only the active window (the one in front) to the clipboard, leaving out everything else on your screen. The image includes the window's title bar and borders. Paste it the same way as a full Print Screen: right-click in Paint, Word, or another document and select Paste.
This method is faster than opening Snipping Tool if you know exactly which window you need and do not want to edit the borders afterward. It is also useful when you have many windows open and want to isolate one without manually drawing a box around it. Like Print Screen, the image goes to your clipboard and must be pasted into a document or editor to be saved as a file.
Where screenshots are saved and how to find them
Screenshots taken with Print Screen or Alt + Print Screen are not automatically saved as files — they only exist in your clipboard until you paste them somewhere. If you close your clipboard without pasting, the image is lost. To keep a Print Screen capture, you must paste it into a document or image editor and save that file. Screenshots taken with Snipping Tool, Snip & Sketch, or Xbox Game Bar are saved automatically. Snipping Tool and Snip & Sketch save to a location you choose when you click Save As. Xbox Game Bar saves video recordings to your Videos folder (usually C:\Users\[Your Username]\Videos\Captures).
To find your Videos folder, open File Explorer, click Videos in the left sidebar, then look for the Captures subfolder. If you want Print Screen images to save automatically instead of going to the clipboard, press Windows key + Print Screen. This saves a full screenshot directly to your Pictures folder in a subfolder called Screenshots. You do not see a save dialog — the file appears in that folder with a timestamp as the filename. Open File Explorer, click Pictures in the left sidebar, and look for the Screenshots folder to find them.
Choosing the right method for your task
Use Print Screen when you want the fastest capture and do not mind pasting into a document. Use Windows key + Print Screen if you want the image saved automatically without opening an editor. Use Snipping Tool or Snip & Sketch when you need to capture only part of your screen or want to save the image as a file without pasting. Use Alt + Print Screen when one window is open and you want to exclude everything else. Use Xbox Game Bar when you need to record video instead of a still image.
Each method works on any Windows computer without extra software. The choice depends on your specific task: whether you need a full screen or partial capture, whether you want a still image or video, and whether you want the file saved automatically or pasted into a document first. Most users find that Print Screen and Windows key + Shift + S cover nearly all everyday needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I edit a screenshot after I take it?
Yes. Screenshots from Snipping Tool and Snip & Sketch open in an editor where you can draw, highlight, or crop before saving. Screenshots from Print Screen can be pasted into Paint, where you can use the eraser, pencil, and crop tools. Xbox Game Bar videos can be trimmed in Windows Photos or a video editor.
What if the Print Screen key does not work?
On some laptops, Print Screen requires the Fn key. Try pressing Fn + Print Screen. If that does not work, your keyboard may have a custom screenshot button — check your laptop manual or the keyboard settings in Windows. You can also always use Windows key + Shift + S to open Snip & Sketch instead.
How do I take a screenshot of just one window?
Press Alt + Print Screen to copy only the active window to the clipboard, then paste it. Or use Snipping Tool and click the window-shaped button before drawing. Both methods exclude other windows and the desktop background.
Can I take a screenshot of my entire monitor if I have two screens?
Print Screen captures all connected monitors at once. If you want only one monitor, use Snipping Tool or Snip & Sketch and draw a box around just that screen. Windows key + Print Screen saves to your Pictures folder and includes all monitors.
Where do I find screenshots saved by Windows key + Print Screen?
Open File Explorer, click Pictures in the left sidebar, then look for a folder called Screenshots. The images are named with the date and time they were taken. You can move them to any folder you prefer.