The fastest way: Print Screen and Snipping Tool

On a Samsung laptop running Windows, the quickest screenshot method is pressing Print Screen (often labeled PrtScn), which copies the entire screen to your clipboard. You can then paste it into an email, document, or image editor by pressing Ctrl+V. This works on any Windows laptop, including Samsung models.

For more control — cropping, annotating, or capturing just part of the screen — use the Snipping Tool, which comes built into Windows. Press Windows key + Shift + S to open the snipping menu. A toolbar appears at the top of your screen with four capture options: rectangular, freeform, window, and full screen. Select the shape you want, then click and drag to capture that area. The screenshot opens in the Snipping Tool window, where you can draw, highlight, or erase before saving.

Key Takeaways

  • Press Print Screen to copy your entire screen, then paste it into any document or email with Ctrl+V.
  • Use Windows key + Shift + S to open the Snipping Tool, which lets you capture only part of your screen and add annotations before saving.
  • Screenshots taken with Print Screen go to your clipboard only; use the Snipping Tool if you want to save directly to a file.
  • Both methods are built into Windows and work on all Samsung laptops without downloading anything extra.

Using the Snipping Tool for annotation and saving

The Snipping Tool is the better choice if you want to mark up your screenshot or save it when ready. After you press Windows key + Shift + S and capture your area, a notification appears in the lower right corner. Click it to open the full Snipping Tool window, where your screenshot is ready to edit.

In the Snipping Tool window, you can use the pen, highlighter, or eraser tools to mark up the image. The toolbar at the top has a save icon (looks like a floppy disk) — click it to choose where to save the file and what format you want (PNG, GIF, or JPEG). You can also click the copy icon to copy the marked-up version to your clipboard instead of saving it as a file.

Capturing just one window or process

If you only want to capture one open window — say, a single browser tab or a document — use the Window Snip option in the Snipping Tool. Press Windows key + Shift + S, then select the window-shaped icon in the toolbar. Move your cursor over the window you want to capture and click it. The entire window frame captures, but nothing outside it.

This is faster than the rectangular snip if you have multiple windows open, because you do not have to carefully drag around the edges. The window snip automatically detects the window boundary and captures it cleanly.

Saving screenshots to a specific folder

By default, Print Screen copies to your clipboard but does not save a file. If you want screenshots to save automatically to a folder, use the Snipping Tool and click the save icon each time, or use the Screenshot folder in File Explorer. On most Samsung laptops, Windows creates a Screenshots folder inside your Pictures directory.

Alternatively, press Windows key + Print Screen together. This captures your entire screen and saves it automatically to Pictures > Screenshots with a timestamp filename. You do not see a preview or editing window — the file saves in the background. This is the fastest method if you just need the screenshot stored and do not need to edit it.

Troubleshooting if Print Screen is not working

If pressing Print Screen does nothing, check whether your Samsung laptop has a function key (Fn) lock enabled. Some Samsung models require you to hold Fn + Print Screen instead. Look for an Fn Lock key on your keyboard — it may have a light indicator. Press it once to toggle Fn Lock off, then try Print Screen again.

If the Snipping Tool does not open with Windows key + Shift + S, your Windows version may be older. Open the Start menu, type "Snipping Tool," and click it to launch the process directly. You can also search for "Screenshot" in the Start menu to find the newer Snip & Sketch app, which works the same way.

Using keyboard shortcuts for speed

The keyboard shortcuts are the fastest method because they require no mouse clicks or menu navigation. Keep these three in mind: Print Screen copies the full screen, Windows key + Shift + S opens the Snipping Tool for partial captures, and Windows key + Print Screen saves the full screen directly to your Screenshots folder.

If you take screenshots often, the Windows key + Print Screen combination saves the most time because the file appears in your Pictures folder without any extra steps. For one-off screenshots you want to paste into a message or document, Print Screen alone is fastest.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I take a screenshot of just my second monitor if I have two screens?

Print Screen captures all connected monitors at once. To capture only one monitor, use the Snipping Tool (Windows key + Shift + S) and manually select the area on the monitor you want. Alternatively, some Samsung laptops include Samsung's own screenshot tool in the system tray — check the bottom right corner of your taskbar for a Samsung icon.

Where do screenshots go when I press Print Screen?

They go to your clipboard only. You must paste them into another program (email, Word, Paint, etc.) using Ctrl+V. If you want a saved file instead, use Windows key + Print Screen to save to your Screenshots folder, or use the Snipping Tool and click save.

How do I take a screenshot of a scrolling webpage?

The built-in Windows tools capture only what is visible on screen. For scrolling content, use your browser's built-in screenshot tool: in Chrome or Edge, press Ctrl + Shift + S, then select "Capture full page." Firefox has a similar feature in the menu. These tools scroll and stitch the full page into one image.

Can I set a timer before the screenshot captures?

The Snipping Tool does not have a built-in delay, but you can use the Snip & Sketch app (search for it in the Start menu) which includes a delay option. Click the timer icon, set the delay in seconds, and the capture begins after the countdown. This is useful for capturing menus or tooltips that disappear when you click.