The fastest way to screenshot on ASUS

On most ASUS computers running Windows, press Print Screen (often labeled PrtScn) to capture your entire screen, or press Windows key + Shift + S to open the screenshot tool and select just the area you want. The Windows key + Shift + S method is usually faster because it lets you choose what to capture and saves the image directly to your clipboard so you can paste it into an email, document, or image editor right away.

If your ASUS has an older keyboard or the Print Screen key doesn't work, check whether your model has a dedicated screenshot button or a function key combination — some gaming ASUS laptops include custom hotkeys. You can also open the built-in Snipping Tool by typing "Snipping Tool" into the Windows search bar at the bottom left of your screen.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows key + Shift + S opens a selection tool that lets you capture part of your screen and automatically copies it to paste elsewhere.
  • Print Screen captures your whole screen to the clipboard; you then paste it into Paint, Word, or another program to save it as a file.
  • The Snipping Tool (search for it in Windows) offers more control and can save screenshots directly as image files without extra steps.
  • If keyboard shortcuts don't work, check your ASUS keyboard manual or function key settings, as some models use custom combinations.

Using Windows key + Shift + S for quick screenshots

This is the method most ASUS users should start with because it's the fastest and requires no extra software. Press and hold the Windows key (the one with the four-square logo), then press Shift and S at the same time. Your screen will dim slightly and your cursor will change to a crosshair.

Click and drag to draw a rectangle around the part of your screen you want to capture. When you release the mouse, the image goes into your clipboard. You can then paste it directly into an email, document, or messaging app by pressing Ctrl + V. If you want to save it as a file instead, open Paint (search "Paint" in Windows), paste the image with Ctrl + V, and use File > Save As to choose a location and filename.

Capturing your entire screen with Print Screen

The Print Screen key is a traditional method that works on almost every ASUS computer. Press it once — you won't see any visual feedback, but the entire screen is now copied to your clipboard. You can then paste it into any program that accepts images: Paint, Word, Photoshop, or even a web browser's image upload field.

The downside is that Print Screen captures everything on your screen, including taskbars and windows you may not want. If you need to save it as a file right away, open Paint, paste with Ctrl + V, and save it. Some ASUS keyboards label this key as PrtScn or Print Scrn, and it may require the Fn key on laptops — try Fn + Print Screen if the key alone doesn't work.

Using the Snipping Tool for more control

The Snipping Tool is built into Windows and gives you more options than the keyboard shortcuts. Search for "Snipping Tool" in the Windows search bar (click the magnifying glass icon at the bottom left), then click the result to open it. Click the "New" button or the dropdown arrow next to it to choose what kind of screenshot you want: free-form (draw any shape), rectangular (drag a box), window (click a specific window), or full screen.

After you take the screenshot, it opens in the Snipping Tool window. From there you can annotate it with a pen or highlighter, crop it, or save it directly as a PNG or JPG file using File > Save As. This method is slower than keyboard shortcuts but useful if you need to edit or save screenshots often.

Checking function keys on ASUS laptops

Some ASUS laptops, especially gaming models, use the Fn key in combination with other keys for screenshots. If Print Screen or Windows key + Shift + S don't work, try pressing Fn + Print Screen or Fn + Windows key + Shift + S. You can also check your ASUS keyboard manual or visit the ASUS support website for your specific model to see if there's a custom screenshot hotkey.

Look at the Print Screen key itself — if it has a small icon or label other than just "PrtScn", that's a clue your model uses a custom combination. Some ASUS ROG (gaming) laptops have a dedicated screenshot button or use Fn + a function key like F12 to capture screenshots directly to a folder.

Saving and organizing your screenshots

When you use Windows key + Shift + S or Print Screen, the image goes to your clipboard but isn't automatically saved as a file. You have to paste it somewhere first. The easiest way is to open Paint, paste with Ctrl + V, then go to File > Save As and choose where to save it and what to name it. You can save as PNG (smaller file size, good for sharing) or JPG (also small, good for photos).

If you use the Snipping Tool, you can save directly from the tool window, and Windows will remember where you last saved. By default, screenshots taken with Windows key + Shift + S are also automatically saved to your Pictures folder under Screenshots, so you can find them later even if you didn't manually save them.

Troubleshooting when screenshots don't work

If none of the keyboard shortcuts work, first check whether your keyboard is connected properly — on wireless ASUS keyboards, make sure the batteries aren't dead and the receiver is plugged in. Then restart your computer, as sometimes Windows needs a restart to recognize keyboard commands properly.

If the problem persists, open Settings (press Windows key + I), go to System > Display, and scroll down to check whether there's a screenshot setting that's been turned off. You can also try updating your keyboard drivers: right-click the Start button, select Device Manager, find Keyboards, right-click your keyboard, and select Update driver. If you're still stuck, contact ASUS support with your computer model number — they can tell you whether your specific model has a custom screenshot method.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do my screenshots go when I press Print Screen?

They go to your clipboard, which is temporary storage. You must paste them into a program like Paint or Word to save them as a file. If you want screenshots to save automatically as files, use the Snipping Tool instead, which can save directly to your Pictures folder.

Can I take a screenshot of just one window?

Yes. Open the Snipping Tool, click the dropdown next to New, and select Window. Then click the window you want to capture. Alternatively, press Alt + Print Screen to capture only the active window to your clipboard, then paste it into Paint or another program.

What's the difference between PNG and JPG for screenshots?

PNG is better for screenshots because it keeps text sharp and uses lossless compression, so no detail is lost. JPG compresses more aggressively, which can make text look blurry. Use PNG unless you're sharing a very large screenshot and need a smaller file size.

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

On many ASUS laptops, you need to hold the Fn key while pressing Print Screen. Check your keyboard manual or the ASUS support page for your model number. Some gaming ASUS laptops also have a dedicated screenshot button or use a different key combination entirely.

Can I screenshot a video that's playing?

Yes, but some streaming services like Netflix or Disney+ block screenshots for copyright protection. For videos you own or have permission to capture, any screenshot method will work — the video will pause in the screenshot at the exact moment you took it.