The fastest way to screenshot on ASUS: use the Print Screen key

On an ASUS computer running Windows, press the Print Screen key (often labeled PrtScn) to capture your entire screen. The image goes directly to your clipboard — you won't see a confirmation, but it's there. Open any image editor or document, paste it with Ctrl+V, and save it.

If you want to capture only part of the screen, use Windows Shift+S instead. This opens the Windows Snipping Tool, which lets you draw a rectangle around the area you want. The screenshot goes to your clipboard, and a small notification appears in the bottom right corner so you know it worked.

Both methods work on any ASUS laptop or desktop running Windows 10 or Windows 11. The keyboard layout is the same whether your ASUS is a VivoBook, ROG gaming machine, or any other model.

Key Takeaways

  • Press Print Screen to capture your whole screen, then paste it into any program with Ctrl+V.
  • Press Windows+Shift+S to select and capture only part of your screen using the Snipping Tool.
  • Screenshots go to your clipboard, not automatically to a file, so you must paste them somewhere to save them.
  • ASUS computers use the same Windows screenshot methods as any other Windows PC — the brand does not change how it works.
  • If Print Screen does not work, check whether Fn Lock is turned on; some ASUS laptops require Fn+PrtScn instead.

Where your screenshot goes after you take it

When you press Print Screen or use Windows+Shift+S, the image is copied to your clipboard — a temporary holding space in your computer's memory. It is not automatically saved as a file on your hard drive. You must paste it somewhere to keep it.

Open any of these programs and paste with Ctrl+V: Paint (built into Windows), Word, Google Docs, Photoshop, or even an email draft. The screenshot appears in the document. Then save the document or export the image as a file. If you close the program without saving, the screenshot is lost.

Some ASUS laptops come with ASUS ScreenPad (a small secondary touchscreen on the trackpad) or ASUS GlyphStudio software, but these are extras — the standard Windows methods work on all ASUS machines.

Using the Snipping Tool for more control

The Snipping Tool, opened by pressing Windows+Shift+S, gives you four ways to capture: rectangle, freeform, window, or full screen. Most people use the rectangle option to grab just the part they need.

After you draw your selection, the screenshot is copied to your clipboard and a small preview window pops up in the bottom right corner. Click the preview to open the Snipping Tool editor, where you can crop, draw on the image, or erase parts before saving. If you do not click the preview, the image stays in your clipboard and you can paste it directly into another program.

The Snipping Tool is built into Windows 10 and Windows 11, so it is already on your ASUS computer — you do not need to read anything.

What to do if Print Screen is not working

On some ASUS laptops, the Print Screen key shares space with another function and requires the Fn key to set up. Try pressing Fn+PrtScn instead of just PrtScn. You should see no visual change, but the screenshot will be in your clipboard.

Check whether Fn Lock is turned on. On ASUS laptops, this is usually toggled by pressing Fn+Esc. When Fn Lock is on, you must hold Fn to use the secondary function (like Print Screen). When it is off, the secondary function works without Fn. Try both combinations to see which one works on your machine.

If neither works, open the Windows search bar (press the Windows key), type "Snipping Tool," and launch it directly. This bypasses the keyboard entirely and lets you capture your screen through the app itself.

Saving your screenshot as a file

After you paste your screenshot into Paint (the simplest option), go to File > Save As. Choose where you want to save it — your Documents folder or Desktop are common choices. Name the file something you will recognize, like "screenshot-2024-01-15," and choose the file format: PNG is best for most uses because it keeps quality without making the file huge.

If you use the Snipping Tool preview window, you can click the save icon (a floppy disk) in the top right corner of the preview. This opens a save dialog where you pick the location and format. PNG, JPG, and GIF are all available.

Windows also has a Screenshots folder inside your Pictures folder, but screenshots do not go there automatically — you have to move them yourself. Creating a dedicated folder for screenshots on your Desktop makes them easier to find later.

Screenshot shortcuts for different situations

If you want to capture only the active window (not the whole screen), press Alt+Print Screen. This copies just the window you are currently using to your clipboard. It is useful when you have multiple windows open and want to avoid capturing clutter in the background.

For gaming or video recording on an ASUS ROG laptop, you may have access to ASUS Armory Crate, which includes a screenshot tool. Open Armory Crate and look for the screenshot or capture option in the settings. This tool often saves screenshots automatically to a dedicated folder, which is faster than the clipboard method if you are taking many shots.

On ASUS tablets or 2-in-1 devices, the screenshot method depends on whether you are running Windows or Android. For Windows tablets, use the same Print Screen or Windows+Shift+S methods. For Android-based ASUS tablets, hold the Power button and Volume Down button together for a few seconds.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I take a screenshot of just one window?

Yes. Press Alt+Print Screen to capture only the window you are currently using. The image goes to your clipboard just like a full-screen screenshot. Paste it into Paint or another program to save it as a file.

Why does my screenshot look blurry or low quality?

Screenshots are captured at your screen's native resolution. If your display is set to a low resolution, the screenshot will be low quality. Check your display settings by right-clicking the desktop and selecting "Display settings," then look at the resolution. Higher numbers mean sharper screenshots.

Where do screenshots go if I use Windows+Shift+S?

They go to your clipboard. A preview window appears in the bottom right corner — click it to open the Snipping Tool editor and save the file, or close the preview and paste the image directly into another program with Ctrl+V.

Do I need special software to screenshot on ASUS?

No. Windows Print Screen and the Snipping Tool are built in and work on every ASUS computer. Third-party tools like Greenshot or ShareX offer extra features, but they are not necessary for basic screenshots.

How do I take a screenshot on my ASUS laptop if the Print Screen key is broken?

Use Windows+Shift+S to open the Snipping Tool, which does not require the Print Screen key. You can also search for "Snipping Tool" in the Windows search bar and launch it directly from there.