Taking a screenshot captures what's on your screen right now
A screenshot is a picture of whatever you see on your monitor at that moment. You can capture your entire screen, just one window, or a specific area you select. The method depends on what operating system you use — Windows, Mac, or Linux — and what you want to do with the image afterward.
Screenshots are useful for saving information, reporting a problem to tech support, sharing something you found online, or keeping a record of something that might change. Once you take the screenshot, the image goes to your clipboard (temporary storage) or directly to a file on your computer, depending on which method you use.
Key Takeaways
- On Windows, press the Print Screen key to copy the entire screen, or use Windows Key + Shift + S to select and capture just the area you need.
- On Mac, press Command + Shift + 3 for the full screen, or Command + Shift + 4 to select a specific area.
- After taking a screenshot, you can paste it into an email, document, or image editor, or find the saved file in your Pictures folder.
- The Print Screen method copies to your clipboard; you must paste it somewhere to save it as a file.
Windows: Print Screen and the Snipping Tool
The simplest method on Windows is to press the Print Screen key (often labeled "PrtScn" or "Print Scr"). This copies an image of your entire screen to your clipboard. You won't see anything happen on screen — the image is just stored temporarily. To save it, open an image editor like Paint (search for "Paint" in your Start menu), paste the image with Ctrl + V, and then save the file.
If you want to capture only part of your screen, use Windows Key + Shift + S. Your screen will dim slightly and your cursor will change to a crosshair. Click and drag to draw a rectangle around the area you want to capture. When you release the mouse, the image goes to your clipboard. A small notification will appear in the bottom right corner; click it to open the image, or paste it directly into a document or email.
For more control, use the Snipping Tool, which comes built into Windows. Search for "Snipping Tool" in your Start menu and open it. Click "New" to start a capture, then select the area you want. The tool opens the image in a window where you can draw on it, crop it, or save it directly as a file.
Mac: Keyboard Shortcuts for Screenshots
On Mac, press Command + Shift + 3 to capture your entire screen. The image saves automatically as a file on your desktop with a name like "Screenshot 2024-01-15 at 2.30.45 PM.png". You don't need to paste it anywhere — it's already saved.
To capture only part of your screen, press Command + Shift + 4. Your cursor becomes a crosshair. Click and drag to select the area you want, then release. The image saves to your desktop the same way.
If you want to capture a specific window (like one process), press Command + Shift + 4, then press the spacebar. Your cursor becomes a camera icon. Click the window you want to capture, and it saves to your desktop. You can also use the Screenshot app (search for it in Spotlight) for more options like recording video or setting a timer before the screenshot is taken.
Finding and Using Your Screenshot After You Take It
On Windows, if you used Print Screen or Windows Key + Shift + S, the image is in your clipboard but not yet saved as a file. You must paste it somewhere. Open Paint, Word, an email, or any program that accepts images. Press Ctrl + V to paste. Then save the file — in Paint, go to File > Save As and choose where to store it.
On Mac, screenshots save automatically to your desktop as PNG files. You can also find them in your Pictures folder. Double-click any screenshot to open it in Preview, where you can crop, rotate, or annotate it before saving.
On both systems, you can paste a screenshot directly into an email, document, or messaging app without saving it as a separate file first. This is the fastest way if you just need to send it to someone.
Choosing What to Capture: Full Screen, Window, or Area
A full-screen screenshot captures everything on your monitor, including the taskbar or dock. Use this when you want to show the whole context of what you're doing. On Windows, use Print Screen. On Mac, use Command + Shift + 3.
A window or area screenshot captures only the part you select, leaving out distracting background. This is clearer when you're showing someone a specific problem or piece of information. On Windows, use Windows Key + Shift + S or the Snipping Tool. On Mac, use Command + Shift + 4.
If you're taking a screenshot to send to tech support or to document a problem, an area screenshot is usually better — it focuses attention on the issue and doesn't include private information from other windows.
Editing Your Screenshot Before Sharing
After you take a screenshot, you can edit it before sharing. On Windows, open Paint (search in the Start menu), paste your screenshot with Ctrl + V, and use the drawing tools to circle, highlight, or add text. Save the edited version with File > Save As.
On Mac, open the screenshot in Preview (double-click it on your desktop), then use the markup tools in the toolbar. You can draw, add text, magnify, or crop. Click File > Save to overwrite the original or File > Export As to save it with a new name.
Many people add arrows, circles, or text to screenshots to point out the exact problem or area they're discussing. This takes just a minute and makes your screenshot much more useful to whoever is reading it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does my screenshot go if I don't paste it anywhere?
On Windows, if you use Print Screen, the image stays in your clipboard until you paste it or restart your computer. If you use Windows Key + Shift + S, you have a few seconds to click the notification and save it, or it disappears. On Mac, screenshots save automatically to your desktop, so you don't lose them.
Can I take a screenshot of a video that's playing?
Yes, you can take a screenshot of most videos. Some streaming services (like Netflix or Disney+) block screenshots for copyright reasons — if you try, the screenshot will be blank or black. Regular videos on websites or videos you recorded yourself will capture normally.
What's the difference between a screenshot and a screen recording?
A screenshot is a single still image of what's on your screen at one moment. A screen recording captures video of your screen over time, showing movement and changes. On Mac, you can use Command + Shift + 5 to record. On Windows, use Windows Key + G to open the Game Bar and select "Record".
How do I take a screenshot on a laptop without a Print Screen key?
Most laptops have Print Screen, but it might be combined with another key. Look for "PrtScn" on your keyboard — it's often on the top row. You may need to hold Fn (Function) at the same time. If your laptop doesn't have it, use Windows Key + Shift + S instead, which works on all Windows computers.
Can I take a screenshot of just my mouse cursor?
Standard screenshots include your cursor. If you don't want the cursor in the image, move it outside the area you're capturing before you take the screenshot. Some editing tools let you remove the cursor afterward, but it's easier to just move it out of the way first.