The fastest way: Print Screen and Paste

Press the Print Screen key (labeled PrtScn or PrtSc on most keyboards) once. This copies your entire screen to your clipboard. Then open any program that accepts images — Notepad, Paint, Word, or an email — and press Ctrl + V to paste it. The screenshot appears as an image you can save, crop, or send.

This method works on every Windows PC and requires no setup. The downside is that you capture everything on your screen, including taskbars and windows you did not mean to photograph. If you need only part of your screen, use one of the methods below instead.

Key Takeaways

  • Print Screen copies your whole screen to the clipboard; paste it into any program with Ctrl + V.
  • Windows Snipping Tool lets you select just the part of the screen you want before saving.
  • Windows 11 users can press Win + Shift + S to open the screenshot tool when ready without opening a program first.
  • Screenshots save as image files (PNG or JPG) that you can edit, email, or upload to websites.

Capturing only part of your screen with Snipping Tool

Open the Snipping Tool by typing its name into the Windows search box and clicking the result. Once it opens, click New (or New Snip in older versions). Your screen will dim slightly, and your cursor will change to a crosshair. Click and drag to draw a rectangle around the part of the screen you want to capture.

When you release the mouse, the screenshot appears in the Snipping Tool window. From there, click File and then Save As to choose where to store it and what to name it. You can also copy it to the clipboard and paste it elsewhere, just like with Print Screen. Snipping Tool is built into Windows and costs nothing.

The quickest method on Windows 11: Win + Shift + S

If you are running Windows 11, press Windows key + Shift + S at the same time. The screen dims and a small toolbar appears at the top. You can now select a rectangular area, a freeform shape, a single window, or your entire screen. Click the option you want, then draw or click to capture.

The screenshot copies to your clipboard when ready. A small notification appears in the bottom right corner; click it to open the screenshot in the Snips & Sketch editor, where you can crop, draw on it, or save it. This method is faster than opening Snipping Tool separately and works only on Windows 11.

Using Alt + Print Screen for just the active window

If you have multiple windows open and want to capture only the one you are currently using, press Alt + Print Screen. This copies just that window to your clipboard, leaving out everything else on your desktop. Paste it with Ctrl + V into any program that accepts images.

This is useful when you are troubleshooting a single program or want to send a coworker a picture of one specific window without showing your desktop or other open applications. The window must be active (in focus) when you press the keys for this to work.

Where screenshots save and how to find them

If you use Print Screen or Alt + Print Screen, the image goes to your clipboard but does not automatically save to a file. You must paste it into a program and save it yourself. If you use Snipping Tool or Win + Shift + S, you can save directly to your computer by clicking Save or Save As.

By default, Snipping Tool saves screenshots to your Pictures folder. You can change this by clicking File and Save As, then choosing a different location. Windows 11's Snips & Sketch also saves to Pictures unless you choose otherwise. Check your Pictures folder if you cannot remember where you saved a screenshot.

Editing and sharing your screenshots

After you capture a screenshot, you can edit it before sharing. Snipping Tool has a basic markup feature — click the pen icon to draw or add text. Windows 11's Snips & Sketch editor offers more options, including crop, rotate, and color adjustments. Paint (search for it in Windows) is a free program that opens any screenshot and lets you crop, resize, or add text.

Once your screenshot is ready, you can email it, upload it to a website, or share it in a chat program. Most email and messaging apps accept image files directly. If you need to share a screenshot with someone who uses a Mac or phone, save it as a PNG or JPG file — both formats work on any device.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Print Screen and Snipping Tool?

Print Screen captures your entire screen and copies it to the clipboard, but does not save it as a file. Snipping Tool lets you select just the part you want and saves it directly to your computer. Use Print Screen for speed; use Snipping Tool when you need only part of the screen.

Can I take a screenshot of a video that is playing?

Yes. Print Screen, Snipping Tool, and Win + Shift + S all capture whatever is on your screen at that moment, including videos. The screenshot will show a single frame from the video at the when ready you pressed the key. Some streaming services may not allow screenshots for copyright reasons, but the screenshot tool itself will still work.

Where do my screenshots go if I use Print Screen?

Print Screen copies the image to your clipboard, not to a file. You must paste it into a program (like Paint, Word, or email) and save it yourself. If you want screenshots to save automatically as files, use Snipping Tool or Win + Shift + S instead.

Can I take a screenshot of my entire screen if it is larger than my monitor?

Print Screen captures only what you see on your monitor at that moment. If you have multiple monitors, it captures all of them. If you have scrolled partway down a webpage or document, Print Screen captures only the visible portion, not the parts you would see by scrolling.

What file format do screenshots save in?

Snipping Tool and Snips & Sketch save as PNG by default, which preserves image quality and works on any device. You can change the format to JPG when you click Save As. Both formats are widely supported for email, websites, and messaging apps.