The fastest way: Print Screen and Shift + Print Screen

The simplest method is to press Print Screen (often labeled PrtScn or PrtSc on your keyboard). This copies your entire screen to the clipboard. You can then open Paint, Word, or any program that accepts images, and paste it with Ctrl + V.

If you want to capture only the active window instead of the whole screen, press Alt + Print Screen. This copies just the window you are currently using, which is useful when you have multiple programs open and want to avoid capturing clutter.

Neither of these methods saves the file automatically — you must paste the image into another program and save it yourself. If you want Windows to save the screenshot directly as a file, use the methods below instead.

Key Takeaways

  • Print Screen copies your entire screen to the clipboard; Alt + Print Screen copies only the active window.
  • Windows Key + Shift + S opens the Snip & Sketch tool, which lets you draw a box around the area you want to capture and saves it automatically.
  • Windows Key + Print Screen saves a full-screen screenshot directly to your Pictures folder without opening any other program.
  • The Snipping Tool (older Windows versions) and Snip & Sketch (newer versions) both let you capture a specific region, window, or full screen and annotate before saving.

Windows Key + Shift + S: The built-in screenshot tool

Press Windows Key + Shift + S to open Snip & Sketch, a tool built into Windows 10 and Windows 11. Your screen will dim slightly and your cursor will change. You can then draw a box around the exact area you want to capture by clicking and dragging.

Once you release the mouse, the screenshot appears in a small window. From there you can annotate it with a pen, highlighter, or eraser, then save it as a PNG or JPG file. If you do not annotate, the image is copied to your clipboard and you can paste it elsewhere.

This method is faster than Print Screen if you want to capture only part of your screen, because you do not have to open a separate program to crop it. The tool also remembers your last capture, so you can return to it later if you close the window without saving.

Windows Key + Print Screen: Save directly to your Pictures folder

Press Windows Key + Print Screen together. Your screen will flash briefly, and Windows will save a full-screen screenshot directly to your Pictures folder in a subfolder called Screenshots. The file is named automatically with the date and time.

This is the fastest method if you want a full-screen capture saved without any extra steps. You do not need to open any program or paste anything. The file is ready to use when ready.

This shortcut works on Windows 10 and Windows 11. On older versions of Windows, this combination may not work — use Print Screen or the Snipping Tool instead.

The Snipping Tool: For older Windows versions and detailed captures

If you are using an older version of Windows, or if you prefer more control over what you capture, open the Snipping Tool. Search for it in the Start menu by typing "Snipping Tool" and pressing Enter.

Once open, click New to start a capture. You can then choose the capture mode: Free-form (draw any shape), Rectangular (draw a box), Window (click a window to capture it), or Full Screen (capture everything). After you select the mode, click and drag to define the area, or click once if you chose Window or Full Screen.

The Snipping Tool opens the captured image in its own editor, where you can annotate with a pen or highlighter, then save as a PNG, JPG, GIF, or HTML file. This tool is useful when you need to mark up a screenshot before sharing it.

Where screenshots are saved

Screenshots taken with Windows Key + Print Screen go to your Pictures folder, in a subfolder called Screenshots. To find them, open File Explorer, click Pictures on the left side, then double-click the Screenshots folder.

Screenshots taken with Print Screen or Alt + Print Screen are not saved as files — they exist only in your clipboard until you paste them. If you paste into Paint and save, you choose the location and filename yourself.

Screenshots taken with Snip & Sketch (Windows Key + Shift + S) are copied to your clipboard by default, but you can save them manually by clicking the save icon in the Snip & Sketch window. You then choose where to save the file.

Choosing the right method for your task

Use Print Screen if you want to capture your entire screen and paste it into a document or email quickly. Use Alt + Print Screen if only one window matters and you want to avoid capturing other open programs.

Use Windows Key + Shift + S if you need to capture only part of your screen, or if you want to annotate the screenshot before saving. Use Windows Key + Print Screen if you want a full-screen capture saved automatically without any extra steps.

Use the Snipping Tool if you are on an older version of Windows, or if you need detailed markup tools like a pen or highlighter. All four methods are built into Windows and require no additional software.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Print Screen copies your screen to the clipboard only — you must paste it into another program and save it manually. Windows Key + Print Screen saves the screenshot directly to your Pictures folder as a PNG file without any extra steps.

Can I capture just one window without capturing the whole screen?

Yes. Press Alt + Print Screen to copy only the active window, or use Windows Key + Shift + S to draw a box around any area you want. Both methods let you avoid capturing other open programs or desktop clutter.

Where do I find my saved screenshots?

Screenshots taken with Windows Key + Print Screen are saved in your Pictures folder, in a subfolder called Screenshots. Open File Explorer, click Pictures, then double-click Screenshots to see them. Screenshots taken with Print Screen alone are not saved as files unless you paste and save them manually.

Can I edit a screenshot after I take it?

Yes. Use Windows Key + Shift + S to open Snip & Sketch, which lets you draw, highlight, or erase on the screenshot before saving. You can also paste any screenshot into Paint and edit it there, or open a saved screenshot file and edit it in any image program.

Do I need to install anything to take screenshots?

No. All screenshot tools are built into Windows. Print Screen, Snip & Sketch, the Snipping Tool, and Windows Key + Print Screen all come with your operating system and require no additional software or setup.