The fastest way: Print Screen and Paste

The simplest method on any Windows PC is to press the Print Screen key (usually labeled PrtScn or PrtSc, often in the upper right of your keyboard), then open an image editor like Paint or Snagit and paste what you captured. This takes the whole screen and copies it to your clipboard — the temporary holding space Windows uses for copied items.

If you want to skip the extra step, press Windows key + Shift + S instead. This opens the Snip & Sketch tool built into Windows 10 and later, which lets you draw a box around just the part of the screen you want, then saves it automatically. You can also annotate the image right there before saving.

For a full-screen capture that saves directly as a file without pasting, use Windows key + Print Screen. Windows saves the image to your Pictures folder in a subfolder called Screenshots.

Key Takeaways

  • Press Print Screen to copy your entire screen, then paste it into Paint, Word, or any image editor.
  • Press Windows key + Shift + S to select and capture only part of your screen, with built-in editing tools.
  • Press Windows key + Print Screen to capture the full screen and save it automatically to your Pictures folder.
  • The Game Bar (Windows key + G) works for screenshots of games and video playback, and saves them to your Videos folder.
  • Third-party tools like Snagit and ShareX offer more control over file format, quality, and where screenshots are stored.

Capturing only part of your screen

When you need just a portion of the screen — a single window, a paragraph of text, or a specific image — Windows key + Shift + S is the built-in choice. It pauses your screen, dims everything, and lets you click and drag to draw a rectangle around what you want. Once you release the mouse, the selection appears in a small preview window where you can crop, annotate with a pen or highlighter, or erase parts before saving.

If you prefer a tool that stays open and ready, the Snipping Tool (search for it in the Windows Start menu) lets you choose between free-form, rectangular, window, or full-screen capture modes before you take the shot. It has been part of Windows for years and works the same way on older and newer machines.

Saving screenshots to a specific folder

By default, Windows key + Print Screen saves to Pictures > Screenshots. If you want screenshots to go somewhere else, you have two options: move them after the fact, or use a tool that lets you choose the destination first.

The Snipping Tool and Snip & Sketch both show you the image when ready after capture, with a Save button visible. You can click Save As and choose any folder you want. Third-party tools like Snagit (paid, around $50 one-time) and ShareX (free, open-source) let you set a default folder in their settings, so every screenshot goes there automatically without a dialog box.

Screenshots of games and video

If you are playing a game or watching video in full-screen mode, the standard screenshot methods sometimes capture a black screen instead. Use the Game Bar instead: press Windows key + G to open it, then click the camera icon or press Windows key + Alt + Print Screen. The screenshot saves to your Videos folder in a subfolder called Captures.

The Game Bar works with most games, streaming apps like Netflix and YouTube, and video players. If the Game Bar does not appear, the app may not support it, and you will need to use a third-party tool instead.

Using Paint or Word to edit after capture

Once you have copied a screenshot with Print Screen, open Paint (search for it in the Start menu), then press Ctrl + V to paste. You can crop, draw shapes, add text, or adjust colors before saving. Paint saves in common formats like PNG, JPG, and BMP.

If you are already working in Word or Excel, you can paste a screenshot directly into the document with Ctrl + V, then crop or resize it right there. Word also has an Insert > Screenshot menu that lets you capture an open window without leaving the document.

Third-party tools for more control

Snagit is the paid option (around $50 one-time purchase, with a free 15-day trial). It captures, edits, and shares in one window, with options to blur sensitive information, add arrows and callouts, and save in multiple formats. It also records video of your screen if you need that.

ShareX is free and open-source. It offers similar features — region capture, window capture, scrolling capture (useful for long web pages), and direct upload to cloud storage or image hosting sites. Both tools let you set keyboard shortcuts and default save locations, which saves time if you take many screenshots.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Print Screen and Windows key + Print Screen?

Print Screen copies the image to your clipboard only — you must paste it into an editor to save it. Windows key + Print Screen captures and saves automatically to your Pictures > Screenshots folder without any extra steps.

Why is my screenshot a black screen?

Full-screen games and some video players do not work with standard screenshot methods. Use Windows key + G (Game Bar) instead, or try a third-party tool like Snagit or ShareX, which can usually capture these apps.

Can I take a screenshot of just one window?

Yes. Press Windows key + Shift + S and draw a box around the window, or use the Snipping Tool and select Window mode. You can also press Alt + Print Screen to copy just the active window to your clipboard, then paste it into Paint or another editor.

Where do my screenshots go?

Windows key + Print Screen saves to Pictures > Screenshots. Game Bar saves to Videos > Captures. Snip & Sketch and the Snipping Tool show a save dialog so you can choose. Third-party tools let you set a default folder in their settings.

Can I edit a screenshot right after taking it?

Yes. Windows key + Shift + S opens Snip & Sketch with editing tools built in. The Snipping Tool also shows the image when ready with a Save button. If you use Print Screen, you paste into Paint or Word and edit there.