To print screen on Windows, press the Print Screen (PrtSc) key to copy your whole screen, then paste it into Paint, Word, or an email with Ctrl + V. To save a screenshot as a file automatically, press Windows key + PrtSc. To capture only part of the screen, press Windows key + Shift + S.
That covers most people. The rest of this guide shows which shortcut fits which job, where your screenshots end up, and what to do if the key isn’t working.
Which Print Screen Shortcut Should You Use?
| What you want | Shortcut | Where it goes |
|---|---|---|
| Copy the entire screen | PrtSc | Clipboard (paste it yourself) |
| Save the entire screen as a file | Windows + PrtSc | Pictures > Screenshots folder |
| Copy only the active window | Alt + PrtSc | Clipboard |
| Capture a selected area | Windows + Shift + S | Clipboard, plus a Snipping Tool preview |
| Record or capture a game or app | Windows + Alt + PrtSc | Videos > Captures folder |
How to Print Screen on Windows Step by Step
Method 1: Press the Print Screen Key (Copy the Whole Screen)
This is the classic method and works on every version of Windows.
- Find the PrtSc key. It is usually in the top-right of your keyboard, near the function keys. It may be labeled “PrtScn” or “Prt Sc.”
- Press it once. Nothing visibly happens, but your screen is now copied to the clipboard.
- Open Paint, Word, Google Docs, Outlook, or any app that accepts images.
- Press Ctrl + V to paste.
- Save or send it.
Heads-up for Windows 11 and recent Windows 10 builds: Depending on your settings, pressing PrtSc may open the Snipping Tool overlay instead of silently copying. If that happens, just choose a capture option from the toolbar at the top, or turn the setting off (see the troubleshooting section below).
If you use multiple monitors, PrtSc captures all of them in one image.
Method 2: Windows + PrtSc (Save a Screenshot Automatically)
Want a file without opening any app? This is the fastest way.
- Press the Windows key + PrtSc together.
- Your screen may dim for a moment. That’s your confirmation.
- Open File Explorer > Pictures > Screenshots.
Your image is saved there as a PNG, named in order (Screenshot (1), Screenshot (2), and so on).
If you have OneDrive backup turned on for your Pictures folder, the screenshot may be in OneDrive > Pictures > Screenshots instead.
Method 3: Alt + PrtSc (Capture Only the Active Window)
Useful when you only need one window and don’t want to crop out the taskbar or other apps.
- Click the window you want to capture so it’s active.
- Press Alt + PrtSc.
- Paste it with Ctrl + V into any app.
This copies to the clipboard only. It does not save a file.
Method 4: Windows + Shift + S (Capture Part of the Screen)
This is the most flexible shortcut and the one most people end up preferring.
- Press Windows + Shift + S.
- Your screen dims and a small toolbar appears at the top.
- Pick a mode:
- Rectangle: drag a box around what you want
- Freeform: draw any shape
- Window: click a window to capture it
- Full screen: capture everything
- The image is copied to your clipboard, and a notification appears in the corner.
- Click the notification to open it in the Snipping Tool, where you can crop, draw, highlight, and save. Or just paste it with Ctrl + V.
Method 5: Use the Snipping Tool
The Snipping Tool is built into Windows and gives you more control than keyboard shortcuts alone.
- Click Start, type Snipping Tool, and press Enter.
- Click New (or press Windows + Shift + S).
- Choose your capture mode and select the area.
- Edit with the pen, highlighter, or crop tools.
- Click Save (the disk icon) or press Ctrl + S.
In current versions of Windows 11, the Snipping Tool can also record your screen as video and copy text out of a screenshot, which is handy for grabbing text from images.
Method 6: Xbox Game Bar (Games and Apps)
Some full-screen games don’t respond well to normal screenshot shortcuts. Game Bar is built for that.
- Press Windows + G to open Game Bar.
- Click the camera icon in the Capture widget to take a screenshot.
- Or skip the menu: press Windows + Alt + PrtSc to capture instantly.
Screenshots are saved to Videos > Captures.
How to Print Screen on a Laptop Without a PrtSc Key
Many compact laptops combine PrtSc with another key.
- Look for “PrtSc,” “PrtScn,” or “PrtScr” on a key, often shared with Insert, Delete, or a function key.
- Try Fn + PrtSc. Hold Fn and press the key.
- Try Fn + Windows + PrtSc to save the file directly.
- Use Windows + Shift + S instead. It works on every keyboard, no PrtSc key needed.
- Use the On-Screen Keyboard: press Windows + Ctrl + O, then click PrtScn on the virtual keyboard.
Where Do Print Screen Screenshots Go?
It depends on the shortcut you used:
- PrtSc, Alt + PrtSc, or Windows + Shift + S: copied to the clipboard. Paste them somewhere or they’re lost when you copy something else.
- Windows + PrtSc: saved in Pictures > Screenshots.
- Windows + Alt + PrtSc: saved in Videos > Captures.
- Snipping Tool: saved wherever you choose when you click Save.
Print Screen Not Working? Try These Fixes
1. Check the Fn key. On many laptops, you need Fn + PrtSc. Look for an Fn Lock or F Lock key and toggle it.
2. Make sure you’re pasting. Plain PrtSc doesn’t save a file. Open Paint and press Ctrl + V.
3. Turn on the Print Screen shortcut for Snipping Tool. Go to Settings > Accessibility > Keyboard and switch on Use the Print screen button to open screen capture. Turn it off if you’d rather PrtSc just copy to the clipboard.
4. Close conflicting apps. Some apps (cloud storage tools, screenshot utilities, screen recorders) take over the PrtSc key. Quit them or check their settings.
5. Update keyboard drivers. Open Device Manager, expand Keyboards, right-click your keyboard, and choose Update driver.
6. Restart your PC. It sounds basic, but it clears a surprising number of shortcut issues.
7. Try an external keyboard. If the screenshot works there, the problem is your laptop’s keyboard or its settings.
Tips for Better Printing Screenshots on Windows
- Use PNG for text and interfaces. It stays sharp. Use JPG only for photos where file size matters.
- Hide private info first. Close tabs, notifications, and anything showing passwords or personal data before you capture.
- Add annotations. Arrows and highlights in the Snipping Tool make instructions much clearer.
- Use Windows + V for clipboard history. If you turn it on, you can paste back earlier screenshots you copied.
- Name your files. Rename screenshots right away. “Screenshot (47).png” won’t help you in three months.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I print screen on Windows 11?
Press PrtSc to copy your screen, Windows + PrtSc to save it as a file, or Windows + Shift + S to capture a selected area. All three work on Windows 11.
How do I print screen on Windows 10?
The same shortcuts work. PrtSc copies, Windows + PrtSc saves, and Windows + Shift + S opens Snip & Sketch or the Snipping Tool, depending on your version.
Where is the Print Screen button?
It’s usually in the upper-right area of the keyboard, labeled PrtSc or PrtScn. On laptops it often shares a key with another function.
How do I take a screenshot on Windows without a Print Screen key?
Press Windows + Shift + S. You can also open the Snipping Tool from the Start menu.
How do I find my screenshots on Windows?
Check Pictures > Screenshots in File Explorer. If you use OneDrive backup, look in the OneDrive version of that folder.
Why does Print Screen not save my screenshot?
Plain PrtSc only copies to the clipboard. Use Windows + PrtSc to save a file automatically.
Final Thoughts
For everyday use, remember three shortcuts: PrtSc to copy, Windows + PrtSc to save, and Windows + Shift + S to capture exactly what you need. Once those become muscle memory, you’ll rarely need anything else.
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