Quick answer
Press ⊞ Win⇧ ShiftS, drag over the area you want, then click the preview that pops up to save or edit it. The screenshot is also copied, so you can paste it straight into an email or chat with CtrlV.
All 6 methods at a glance
| Method | What it does | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Win + Shift + S (Snipping Tool overlay) | Pick a rectangle, window, freeform shape or the full screen. | Everyday screenshots of part of the screen |
| Print Screen key | On current Windows 11, opens the same capture overlay. On Windows 10, copies the whole screen. | One-key screenshots |
| Win + Print Screen (save full screen) | Captures everything and saves a PNG straight to your Screenshots folder. | Saving a full-screen file instantly, without any clicks |
| Alt + Print Screen (active window) | Copies just the window you're working in to the clipboard. | Capturing a single app or error message |
| Snipping Tool app (with a timer) | Delay the capture by a few seconds to catch menus and tooltips. | Menus, hover effects and anything that disappears when you press a key |
| Xbox Game Bar | Captures games and full-screen apps, including ones that block other tools. | Games and full-screen video |
Win + Shift + S (Snipping Tool overlay)
Windows 11 and 10
- Press ⊞ Win⇧ ShiftS. The screen dims and a small toolbar appears at the top.
- Choose a mode in the toolbar: Rectangle, Window, Full screen or Freeform.
- Drag over the area you want (or click a window). The capture is copied to your clipboard.
- Click the notification that appears in the bottom-right corner to open it in Snipping Tool, where you can crop, draw on it and save it.
On Windows 11 the snip is also saved automatically to Pictures > Screenshots. On Windows 10 it is only on the clipboard until you save it from the notification.
Print Screen key
Windows 11 and 10
- Press PrtScn (it may be labelled PrtSc, Print or Prt Sc on your keyboard).
- On up-to-date Windows 11 this opens the Snipping Tool overlay, so carry on as with ⊞ Win⇧ ShiftS.
- On Windows 10, or if the setting is turned off, the whole screen is copied to the clipboard. Paste it with CtrlV into Paint, Word, an email or a chat.
To choose what Print Screen does, open Settings > Accessibility > Keyboard and switch Use the Print screen key to open Snipping Tool on or off.
Win + Print Screen (save full screen)
Windows 11 and 10
- Press ⊞ WinPrtScn. The screen dims for a moment to confirm.
- Open File Explorer > Pictures > Screenshots to find the PNG file.
With more than one monitor, this captures all screens in one wide image.
Alt + Print Screen (active window)
Windows 11 and 10
- Click the window you want to capture so it is active.
- Press AltPrtScn.
- Paste it where you need it with CtrlV. Nothing is saved as a file unless you paste it into an app and save it there.
Snipping Tool app (with a timer)
Windows 11 and 10
- Open Start, type Snipping Tool and open it.
- Pick a mode, then choose a delay (for example 5 seconds) from the timer menu.
- Click New, then open the menu or tooltip you want to capture before the countdown ends.
- When the screen dims, select the area. Save it with CtrlS.
Snipping Tool on Windows 11 can also record video (⊞ Win⇧ ShiftR) and copy text out of a screenshot with Text actions.
Xbox Game Bar
Windows 11 and 10
- While your game or app is open, press ⊞ WinAltPrtScn.
- A notification confirms the capture. Find it in Videos > Captures, or press ⊞ WinG and open the Gallery.
Where are screenshots saved?
C:\Users\YourName\Pictures\Screenshots
Screenshots you save with ⊞ WinPrtScn, and every snip on Windows 11, go to your Screenshots folder. Shortcuts like AltPrtScn only copy to the clipboard. Game Bar captures go to Videos > Captures.
Record your screen on Windows
- Windows 11: press ⊞ Win⇧ ShiftR, drag over the area to record, then click Start. Click Stop when you're done. The video saves to Videos > Screen Recordings.
- Windows 10 (and games on 11): press ⊞ WinAltR to start and stop a Game Bar recording. It saves to Videos > Captures.
Screenshot not working?
Print Screen does nothing
Many laptops share the key with another function. Try FnPrtScn, or use ⊞ Win⇧ ShiftS instead. Also check that a program such as OneDrive, Dropbox or Snagit hasn't taken over the key.
My keyboard has no Print Screen key
Use ⊞ Win⇧ ShiftS, which works on every keyboard. On Surface Type Covers, try Fn⊞ WinSpace.
Win + Shift + S doesn't open anything
Make sure Snipping Tool is installed and up to date in the Microsoft Store. Then go to Settings > System > Notifications and check notifications are on for Snipping Tool, otherwise you won't see the preview.
The screenshot is black
Streaming apps and some protected video block screenshots on purpose. You can't get around this for copy-protected content.
I can't find my screenshot
If you used Print Screen or Alt + Print Screen, it's only on the clipboard. Paste it with CtrlV. Press ⊞ WinV to see your clipboard history (once it's turned on).
Frequently asked questions
- What is the shortcut for a screenshot on Windows 11?
- Press Win + Shift + S to choose an area, or Win + Print Screen to save the whole screen as a file in Pictures > Screenshots.
- Where do screenshots go on Windows?
- Saved screenshots go to C:\Users\YourName\Pictures\Screenshots. Shortcuts like Alt + Print Screen copy to the clipboard only, so paste them with Ctrl + V.
- How do I screenshot just one window?
- Click the window, then press Alt + Print Screen. Or press Win + Shift + S, choose Window mode and click the window.
- Do these steps still work on Windows 10?
- Yes. Every shortcut on this page works on Windows 10. The only differences are that Print Screen copies the full screen rather than opening the overlay, and snips aren't saved to a folder automatically. Microsoft ended regular support for Windows 10 in October 2025.