The fastest way to screenshot on HP: Print Screen and Paste

On most HP computers, press the Print Screen key (often labeled PrtScn or PrtSc) to capture your entire screen. The image goes into your clipboard — you won't see it happen, but it's there. Open any program that accepts images: Notepad, Paint, Word, or an email. Press Ctrl+V to paste the screenshot where you need it.

If you want to capture only the active window instead of the whole screen, press Alt+Print Screen. This takes a picture of just the window you're working in, leaving out everything else on your desktop.

The Print Screen method works on every HP computer and requires no extra software. The trade-off is that you have to paste the image somewhere — it doesn't automatically save as a file.

Key Takeaways

  • Press Print Screen to copy your entire screen to the clipboard, then paste it into any program with Ctrl+V.
  • Press Alt+Print Screen to capture only the active window instead of your whole screen.
  • Windows 10 and 11 include a built-in Snipping Tool that lets you draw a box around the part you want to capture.
  • The Snip & Sketch tool (Windows 10 and later) saves screenshots automatically and lets you edit them before saving.
  • If Print Screen doesn't work, check whether a function key (Fn) needs to be held down at the same time.

Using the Snipping Tool for more control

Windows 10 and 11 come with the Snipping Tool, which gives you more control than Print Screen. Press Windows key + Shift + S to open it. Your screen will dim slightly and your cursor will change to a crosshair.

Click and drag to draw a box around the part of the screen you want to capture. When you release the mouse, the image is copied to your clipboard and a small notification appears in the corner. Click the notification to open the image in Snip & Sketch, where you can crop it, draw on it, or add text before saving.

If the keyboard shortcut doesn't work, open the Start menu, type "Snipping Tool," and click it. The older version opens with a button labeled "New" — click it to start a capture.

Saving screenshots automatically with Snip & Sketch

Snip & Sketch is the newer tool built into Windows 10 and 11. After you take a screenshot using Windows key + Shift + S, the image opens in Snip & Sketch automatically. You can crop, highlight, or erase parts of the image right there.

Click the save icon (a floppy disk) in the top right corner. Choose where to save the file and what name to give it. By default, screenshots save as PNG files, which preserve quality and work in almost any program.

Snip & Sketch also lets you copy the image to your clipboard again if you want to paste it elsewhere, or share it directly to another program.

What to do if Print Screen isn't working

On some HP laptops, the Print Screen key shares space with another function and requires the Fn key to work. Try pressing Fn+Print Screen instead of Print Screen alone. You may need to hold Fn and press the key at the same time.

If that doesn't work, check your keyboard settings. Open the Start menu, type "Settings," and click it. Go to System > Keyboard. Look for an option about Function keys or Fn key behavior. Some HP laptops let you toggle whether Fn is needed.

Another option: use the Snipping Tool or Snip & Sketch instead, which don't rely on the Print Screen key at all.

Choosing where to save your screenshots

When you paste a screenshot from Print Screen, you can save it in any program that handles images. Paint is the simplest: open it, paste your screenshot, and press Ctrl+S to save. Choose a location (Desktop, Documents, or a folder you create) and give it a name.

If you use Snip & Sketch or the Snipping Tool, the save dialog lets you pick the location and file type. Most people save to Documents or a Screenshots folder on the Desktop so they can find the image later.

Windows also automatically saves screenshots to a Screenshots folder inside your Pictures folder if you press Windows key + Print Screen. Check there if you've taken screenshots and aren't sure where they went.

Screenshot file types and when to use each

PNG is the default and the best choice for most screenshots. It preserves sharp text and colors without making the file huge. Use PNG if you're sharing the screenshot by email or uploading it to a website.

JPG makes smaller files but can blur text slightly. Use JPG only if file size matters and the screenshot is mostly photos or images, not text.

BMP is older and creates very large files. Avoid it unless a specific program requires it.

When you save in Paint or Snip & Sketch, the program will ask you which format to use. PNG is almost always the right answer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I take a screenshot of just part of my screen?

Yes. Press Windows key + Shift + S to open the Snipping Tool, then click and drag to draw a box around the part you want. This is faster and more precise than taking a full screenshot and cropping it later.

Where do my screenshots go when I press Print Screen?

They go into your clipboard, which is temporary storage. You must paste them into a program (Paint, Word, email) and save them as a file, or they disappear when you restart your computer. Use Snip & Sketch instead if you want screenshots to save automatically.

Why doesn't Print Screen work on my HP laptop?

Try holding Fn and pressing Print Screen at the same time. Some HP laptops require the Fn key. If that doesn't work, use Windows key + Shift + S to open the Snipping Tool instead — it doesn't depend on the Print Screen key.

Can I edit a screenshot after I take it?

Yes. If you use Snip & Sketch (Windows key + Shift + S), the image opens in an editor where you can crop, highlight, or add text before saving. If you use Print Screen and paste into Paint, you can edit it there too.

What's the difference between Snipping Tool and Snip & Sketch?

Snipping Tool is the older version; Snip & Sketch is newer and built into Windows 10 and 11. Both let you capture part of your screen. Snip & Sketch saves automatically and has better editing tools. Use Snip & Sketch if your HP has Windows 10 or later.