The fastest way to screenshot on Samsung Windows computers

On a Samsung computer running Windows, press Windows key + Print Screen together. The screen will dim briefly, and your screenshot saves automatically to the Pictures folder in a subfolder called Screenshots. You do not need any other software or settings — this is built into Windows and works on any Samsung device running Windows 10 or later.

If you want to capture only part of the screen instead of the whole thing, use Windows key + Shift + S. A menu appears with four options: free-form selection (draw any shape), rectangular selection (drag a box), window selection (click one window), or full-screen capture. After you select your area, the screenshot goes to your clipboard, and a small notification appears in the lower right corner. Click that notification to open the image, or paste it directly into an email, document, or image editor.

The Print Screen key alone (without Windows key) copies the full screen to your clipboard but does not save a file. You then have to paste it into Paint, Word, or another program to save it. The Windows key combination is faster because it saves the file automatically.

Key Takeaways

  • Press Windows key + Print Screen to capture your entire screen and save it automatically to Pictures > Screenshots.
  • Press Windows key + Shift + S to select only part of your screen, then click the notification to save or paste the image.
  • The Print Screen key alone copies to your clipboard but does not save a file, so you must paste it into another program.
  • Screenshots save as PNG files with a timestamp in the filename, so each one has a unique name.

Where your screenshots are stored

When you use Windows key + Print Screen, Windows creates a Screenshots folder inside your Pictures folder automatically. To find your images, open File Explorer, click Pictures in the left sidebar, then double-click the Screenshots folder. Every screenshot you take this way appears here with a filename like "Screenshot (1).png", "Screenshot (2).png", and so on.

If you use Windows key + Shift + S instead, the image goes to your clipboard first. You can paste it into any program — Outlook, Word, Paint, Photoshop — or click the notification that appears in the lower right corner to open it in the Snipping Tool, where you can edit it before saving. If you do not save it from the notification or paste it somewhere, it stays in your clipboard only until you copy something else.

Using the Snipping Tool for more control

Samsung computers come with the Snipping Tool, a built-in program that gives you more options than the keyboard shortcuts. Open it by typing "Snipping Tool" into the Windows search box (click the magnifying glass icon on the taskbar), then press Enter. The window shows four capture modes: free-form, rectangular, window, and full-screen.

Choose your mode, then select the area you want to capture. After you take the screenshot, it opens in the Snipping Tool editor, where you can draw on it, highlight text, or erase parts before saving. Click File > Save As to choose where to save it and what format to use (PNG, JPEG, or GIF). This method takes longer than the keyboard shortcuts but is useful if you need to mark up or crop the image before saving.

Capturing video instead of a still image

If you need to record what is happening on your screen rather than take a single screenshot, use Windows key + Alt + R. This opens the Xbox Game Bar, which records video of your screen. A small toolbar appears with a red Record button. Click it to start recording, and click it again to stop. The video saves to your Videos folder in a subfolder called Captures.

You can also use Windows key + Alt + G to open the Game Bar without starting to record, so you can adjust settings first. The Game Bar works on any Samsung Windows computer and does not require you to own an Xbox or have any gaming software installed — it is part of Windows itself.

Troubleshooting when screenshots do not save

If you press Windows key + Print Screen and nothing happens, check that your Pictures folder exists and is not corrupted. Open File Explorer, click Pictures, and look for the Screenshots subfolder. If it is not there, create it manually: right-click in the Pictures folder, select New > Folder, and name it "Screenshots".

If the keyboard shortcut still does not work, restart your computer. Sometimes Windows services need to restart to function properly. If restarting does not help, use the Snipping Tool instead (search for it in the Windows search box), which works independently of the keyboard shortcuts.

On rare Samsung computers with custom keyboard layouts, the Print Screen key might be in a different location or require a function key. Check your keyboard manual or look for a key labeled "PrtScn" or "Print Scr". If your keyboard has a Function key, try Fn + Print Screen or Fn + Windows key + Print Screen.

Saving screenshots in different formats and locations

By default, Windows key + Print Screen saves as PNG files in your Screenshots folder. If you want to save in a different format (JPEG, BMP, GIF), use the Snipping Tool instead. Open it, take your screenshot, then click File > Save As and choose the format you want from the dropdown menu labeled "Save as type".

You can also change where screenshots save by moving the Screenshots folder to a different location. Right-click the Screenshots folder in File Explorer, select Cut, navigate to where you want it, and select Paste. Windows will remember the new location for future screenshots taken with the keyboard shortcut.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I screenshot just one window instead of the whole screen?

Yes. Press Windows key + Shift + S, then select "Window selection" from the menu that appears. Click the window you want to capture, and it saves to your clipboard. You can then paste it into another program or click the notification to save it as a file.

What if I want to edit my screenshot before saving it?

Use the Snipping Tool instead of the keyboard shortcut. Search for "Snipping Tool" in Windows, take your screenshot, and the image opens in an editor where you can draw, highlight, or erase before saving. The keyboard shortcuts save directly without opening an editor.

Where do screenshots go if I use Print Screen without the Windows key?

They go to your clipboard only, not to a file. You must paste them into Paint, Word, Outlook, or another program to save them. If you copy something else, the screenshot is lost. Use Windows key + Print Screen instead to save automatically.

Can I take a screenshot of just the taskbar or a menu?

Yes, with Windows key + Shift + S. Select "Free-form selection" or "Rectangular selection" and draw around just the part you want. This method captures menus and toolbars that might disappear if you use other methods.

How do I record my screen instead of taking a still picture?

Press Windows key + Alt + R to open the Xbox Game Bar and start recording. A toolbar appears with a red Record button. Click it to begin, and click again to stop. The video saves to your Videos > Captures folder.