The fastest way: Press the Print Screen key

The simplest method is to press the Print Screen key (labeled PrtScn, PrtSc, or similar on your keyboard). This copies whatever is on your screen to your clipboard. Nothing visible happens — no flash, no sound — but the image is now ready to paste.

To use the screenshot, open any program that accepts images: Paint, Word, an email, a messaging app. Right-click and select Paste, or press Ctrl+V. The screenshot appears in the document.

Print Screen captures your entire screen, including multiple monitors if you have them. If you want only one window or a specific area, use one of the methods below instead.

Key Takeaways

  • Press Print Screen to copy your entire screen, then paste it into any document or image editor.
  • Press Alt+Print Screen to capture only the active window instead of the whole screen.
  • Press Windows key+Shift+S to open the Snip & Sketch tool, which lets you select a specific area before capturing.
  • Screenshots are copied to your clipboard and must be pasted into a program; they are not automatically saved as files.
  • The Snipping Tool (older Windows versions) and Snip & Sketch (newer versions) both save screenshots directly to your computer.

Capture only the active window with Alt+Print Screen

If you have multiple windows open and want to capture only one, hold Alt and press Print Screen. This copies only the window you are currently using, not the entire screen behind it.

Like the regular Print Screen method, the image goes to your clipboard. Paste it into Paint, Word, email, or any other program the same way: right-click and select Paste, or press Ctrl+V.

Use Snip & Sketch to select a specific area

Windows 10 and 11 include a tool called Snip & Sketch that lets you draw a box around exactly the part of the screen you want to capture. Press Windows key+Shift+S to open it.

Your screen will dim and your cursor will change to a crosshair. Click and drag to draw a rectangle around the area you want. Release the mouse button, and the screenshot is copied to your clipboard. A small notification appears in the corner — click it to open the image in Snip & Sketch, where you can annotate it, crop it further, or save it as a file.

Snip & Sketch also offers other capture shapes: you can select a freehand tool to draw around an irregular area, or use the window tool to capture a specific open window by clicking on it.

Save screenshots directly with the Snipping Tool or Snip & Sketch

If you use Print Screen or Alt+Print Screen, the screenshot exists only in your clipboard until you paste it. If you close a program without pasting, the screenshot is lost.

To save a screenshot as a file on your computer, use Snip & Sketch (Windows 10 and 11). After you capture the area, click the notification that appears, then click the Save button (or press Ctrl+S). Choose where to save the file and give it a name. By default, screenshots save to your Pictures folder in a subfolder called Screenshots.

Older Windows versions include the Snipping Tool instead. Search for "Snipping Tool" in the Start menu, open it, click New, and drag to select the area you want. Click Save Snip to save it as a file when ready.

Find your saved screenshots

Screenshots captured with Snip & Sketch save to Pictures > Screenshots by default. Open File Explorer, click Pictures in the left sidebar, then double-click the Screenshots folder.

If you pasted a screenshot into a document (Word, Paint, email), it is saved as part of that document, not as a separate image file. To extract it later, open the document, right-click the image, and select Save as Picture.

Troubleshooting: Print Screen is not working

On some keyboards, Print Screen shares a key with another function and requires you to hold Fn (Function) at the same time. Try Fn+Print Screen or Fn+PrtScn.

If nothing happens, check whether a program is blocking the key. Some games and full-screen applications disable Print Screen for security reasons. Try taking a screenshot on your desktop or in a regular window instead. If Snip & Sketch also does not work, restart your computer.

On laptops, Print Screen might be labeled differently or combined with another key. Look for PrtScn, PrtSc, or a key with a camera symbol. Check your laptop's manual or manufacturer website if you cannot find it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where does the screenshot go when I press Print Screen?

It goes to your clipboard, a temporary holding area in your computer's memory. You must paste it into a program (Paint, Word, email, etc.) to see it or save it. If you turn off your computer or paste something else, the screenshot is lost unless you saved it first.

Can I take a screenshot of just my second monitor?

Print Screen captures all monitors at once. To capture only one monitor, use Snip & Sketch (Windows key+Shift+S) and draw a box around only the area you want. Alternatively, use Alt+Print Screen to capture only the active window if that window is on the monitor you want.

What is the difference between Snipping Tool and Snip & Sketch?

Snipping Tool is the older tool in Windows 7 and early Windows 10. Snip & Sketch is the newer version in Windows 10 and 11 and has more features, including annotation tools and better integration with the clipboard. If you have Windows 10 or 11, use Snip & Sketch (Windows key+Shift+S).

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

Print Screen captures only what is visible on your screen at that moment. To capture a webpage or document that scrolls beyond the visible area, you need a browser extension or third-party tool. Most browsers have a built-in screenshot tool in the developer menu, or you can search for "full page screenshot" extensions in your browser's store.

How do I take a screenshot on a Mac or Chromebook?

This guide covers Windows PCs only. Mac uses Command+Shift+3 or Command+Shift+4. Chromebooks use Ctrl+Show Windows (the key with four squares). Refer to your device's support documentation for full instructions.