The fastest way: Print Screen and Shift + Print Screen

The Print Screen key (often labeled PrtScn or PrtSc) is the quickest method. Press it once and your entire screen copies to your clipboard — you won't see anything happen, but the image is there. Open any program that accepts images (Notepad, Word, Paint, an email), right-click, and select Paste to drop it in.

If you want only the active window instead of the whole screen, press Alt + Print Screen. This copies just the window you're currently using, which is useful when you have multiple programs open and don't want clutter in your image.

Neither method saves the screenshot as a file automatically — it only goes to your clipboard. If you close a program without pasting, the image disappears. For that reason, most people move to one of the methods below.

Key Takeaways

  • Print Screen copies your entire screen to the clipboard; Alt + Print Screen copies only the active window.
  • Windows 10 and later have a built-in Snipping Tool and Screenshot app that let you select a region and save directly to your computer.
  • Windows key + Shift + S opens the screenshot menu on Windows 10 and newer, letting you draw a box around what you want to capture.
  • Paint and other image editors can paste a screenshot from the clipboard and save it as a file with a name you choose.

Windows 10 and newer: Windows key + Shift + S

On Windows 10 and Windows 11, press Windows key + Shift + S to open the screenshot menu. Your screen will dim slightly and a toolbar appears at the top with four capture options: rectangular selection, freeform selection, window selection, and full screen.

Click the rectangular icon (the default) and drag a box around the part of the screen you want. When you release, the image goes to your clipboard and a notification appears in the bottom right corner. Click that notification to open the image in the Screenshot app, where you can annotate it, crop it, or save it as a file.

The window selection option is useful when you want to capture a single program window without manually drawing the box — just click the window and it captures automatically. The full-screen option works like Print Screen but keeps the image in the screenshot tool instead of just the clipboard.

Saving screenshots as files: Snipping Tool and Screenshot app

Windows 10 and newer come with the Snipping Tool and Screenshot app built in. Search for either one in your Start menu. Both let you capture a region of your screen and save it directly as a file with a name you choose.

Open Snipping Tool, click New, and drag a box around what you want. When you release, the image opens in the editor. Click File, then Save As, and choose where to store it and what to name it. The file saves as a PNG by default, which works with any image viewer or document.

The Screenshot app (newer on Windows 11) works similarly but opens automatically when you press Windows key + Shift + S. After you capture, click the notification to open the editor, then use the Save button to store it as a file.

Using Paint to save screenshots from the clipboard

If you used Print Screen or Alt + Print Screen and want to save the image as a file, open Paint (search for it in your Start menu). Press Ctrl + V to paste the screenshot, then go to File and click Save As.

Choose a location on your computer, type a name for the file, and select PNG or JPG from the file type dropdown. PNG keeps the image quality higher if you plan to edit it later; JPG makes the file smaller if you're sending it by email or uploading it somewhere.

This method works on any Windows version because Paint has been included for decades. It's slower than the built-in screenshot tools on newer Windows, but it's reliable if you're on an older system.

Screenshots of specific windows or regions

When you need only part of your screen, use Alt + Print Screen to capture the active window, or use Windows key + Shift + S to draw a box around a specific region. Both methods are faster than capturing the whole screen and then cropping it later.

If you're taking multiple screenshots of the same area (for example, documenting a problem in a program), use Windows key + Shift + S each time. The tool remembers your last selection size and position, so you can draw the same box again without measuring.

Troubleshooting: Screenshot key not working

If Print Screen does nothing, check whether your keyboard has a secondary function layer. Some laptops require you to hold Fn + Print Screen instead. Look for Fn in the bottom left of your keyboard, usually next to Ctrl.

On gaming keyboards or programmable keyboards, Print Screen may be reassigned to a different function. Check the keyboard's software or manual to see whether you need to enable Print Screen or remap it. If you're using a wireless keyboard, make sure it's powered on and connected.

If Windows key + Shift + S doesn't work, you may be on Windows 7 or an older version that doesn't have this feature. Use Print Screen and Snipping Tool instead, or upgrade to Windows 10 or newer for the built-in screenshot menu.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do screenshots go when I press Print Screen?

They go to your clipboard, not to a file on your computer. You must paste them into a program (Paint, Word, email) or use a tool like Snipping Tool that saves them as files. If you close a program without pasting, the screenshot is lost.

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

PNG keeps sharper text and colors, making it better for screenshots of documents or code. JPG compresses the image more, making the file smaller but slightly blurry. For most screenshots, PNG is the better choice.

Can I take a screenshot of just one window?

Yes. Press Alt + Print Screen to copy the active window to your clipboard, or use Windows key + Shift + S and click the window selection icon to capture a single program window without drawing a box.

How do I take a screenshot on an older Windows version?

Press Print Screen to copy the full screen, then open Paint, press Ctrl + V to paste, and save the file. Older Windows versions don't have the built-in screenshot menu, so Snipping Tool and Paint are your main options.

Can I edit a screenshot after I take it?

Yes. If you use Windows key + Shift + S, click the notification to open the Screenshot app, where you can crop, annotate, or highlight before saving. If you use Print Screen, paste into Paint and use Paint's drawing tools to add marks or crop.