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

On an ASUS computer, the simplest screenshot method is pressing the Print Screen key (often labeled PrtScn or PrtSc). This key sits in the upper right area of your keyboard, usually above the arrow keys. When you press it, Windows captures your entire screen and stores it in your clipboard—you won't see a confirmation, but the image is ready to paste.

After pressing Print Screen, open any program that accepts images: Notepad, Word, Paint, or an email. Right-click and select Paste, or press Ctrl+V. The screenshot appears when ready. This method works on all ASUS laptops and desktops running Windows.

If you want to save the screenshot as a file instead of pasting it, open the Windows Snipping Tool (search for "Snipping Tool" in your Start menu) and paste the image there, then save it as a PNG or JPG file.

Key Takeaways

  • Press Print Screen to capture your entire screen; the image goes to your clipboard and you can paste it into any program.
  • Use Windows Snipping Tool for more control—you can select just part of your screen, add notes, and save directly as a file.
  • Windows Key + Shift + S opens the screenshot menu on newer ASUS computers and lets you choose between full screen, window, or freehand selection.
  • Screenshots are saved to your clipboard by default, so paste them quickly before copying something else.

Using the Windows Snipping Tool for partial screenshots

If you only need part of your screen, the Snipping Tool gives you more control than Print Screen. Search for "Snipping Tool" in your Windows Start menu and open it. You'll see a window with a "New" button at the top.

Click "New" and your screen will dim slightly. Your cursor becomes a crosshair. Click and drag to select the area you want to capture. When you release the mouse, the selected area appears in the Snipping Tool window. From there, you can annotate it with a pen or highlighter, then save it as a file by pressing Ctrl+S or clicking File > Save As.

The Snipping Tool saves screenshots as PNG files by default, which preserves quality better than JPG for text and sharp edges. You can choose the folder and filename before saving.

The Windows Key + Shift + S shortcut for quick selections

On newer ASUS computers (Windows 10 and later), pressing Windows Key + Shift + S opens a screenshot menu when ready. Your screen dims and you see options at the top: Rectangle Select, Freehand Select, Window Select, and Full Screen Select.

Rectangle Select lets you drag a box around the area you want. Freehand Select lets you draw an irregular shape around an object. Window Select captures just one open window. Full Screen Select works like Print Screen. After you make your selection, the screenshot goes to your clipboard and a notification appears in the lower right corner—click it to open the Snipping Tool and save the image.

This method is faster than opening Snipping Tool manually and is the preferred way on modern ASUS Windows computers.

Saving screenshots to a specific folder automatically

By default, Print Screen and Windows Key + Shift + S put screenshots in your clipboard only. If you want them saved as files automatically, use the Snipping Tool's settings. Open Snipping Tool, click the three-line menu icon (hamburger menu) in the upper right, and select Settings.

Under "Saving and notifications," you can turn on "Save snips automatically." Choose a folder where you want screenshots stored. After this is set, every screenshot you take with Snipping Tool will save to that folder with a timestamp in the filename.

Alternatively, press Windows Key + Print Screen on some ASUS computers to save a full screenshot directly to your Pictures folder under a Screenshots subfolder. This feature is available on Windows 10 and later, though it is not enabled on all ASUS models—try it and check your Pictures folder to see if it works on yours.

Taking a screenshot of just one window

If you only want to capture one open window without the rest of your desktop, use Alt + Print Screen. This captures only the active window (the one you are currently using) and puts it in your clipboard. Paste it the same way you would a full-screen screenshot.

Alternatively, use Windows Key + Shift + S and select "Window Select" from the menu. Your cursor will change, and you can click on any open window to capture just that window. This method is cleaner because you see exactly what you are capturing before you take the screenshot.

Troubleshooting if Print Screen is not working

If pressing Print Screen does nothing, check whether your ASUS keyboard has a secondary function layer. Some ASUS laptops require you to hold the Fn key (usually in the lower left corner) while pressing Print Screen. Try Fn + Print Screen and see if that works.

If you still have no result, open the Snipping Tool directly from your Start menu instead. Snipping Tool works independently of the Print Screen key and will always function. You can also try Windows Key + Shift + S, which is a separate system and does not rely on the Print Screen key.

On some ASUS gaming laptops, Print Screen may be mapped to a different key or require a special key combination set in ASUS Control Center. Check your keyboard manual or search your model number plus "screenshot" to see if your specific ASUS computer has a custom setup.

Editing and annotating screenshots after capture

After you take a screenshot with Windows Key + Shift + S, a notification appears in the lower right corner. Click it to open the Snipping Tool with your screenshot already loaded. You can then use the pen, highlighter, and eraser tools to mark up the image before saving.

For more advanced editing, paste your screenshot into Paint (search "Paint" in your Start menu). Paint lets you crop, rotate, resize, and add text or shapes. When you are done, save the file as PNG or JPG. Paint is built into Windows and requires no installation.

If you need professional-level editing, free programs like GIMP or Canva also accept pasted screenshots and offer more tools than Paint.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do screenshots go when I press Print Screen?

They go to your clipboard, which is temporary storage. You must paste the image into a program (Word, Paint, email) or it will be lost when you copy something else. Use Snipping Tool or Windows Key + Shift + S if you want screenshots saved as files automatically instead.

Can I take a screenshot of just my second monitor on an ASUS laptop?

Print Screen captures all monitors at once. To capture only one monitor, use Windows Key + Shift + S and select the area on that monitor, or use Snipping Tool and drag a selection around only that monitor's screen.

What is the difference between PNG and JPG for screenshots?

PNG preserves sharp text and edges without compression, making it better for screenshots of documents or code. JPG compresses the image to a smaller file size but can make text look blurry. For screenshots, PNG is the better choice.

How do I take a screenshot on an ASUS Chromebook?

Chromebooks use a different system. Press Ctrl + Show Windows (the key with four rectangles, usually in the top row). A menu appears with screenshot options. Select the area you want and it saves to your Downloads folder automatically.

Can I set up a keyboard shortcut for screenshots on my ASUS computer?

Windows does not allow you to change the Print Screen or Windows Key + Shift + S shortcuts. However, you can pin Snipping Tool to your taskbar for one-click access, or create a desktop shortcut to it for faster launching.