To take a screenshot on Windows, you have several easy methods:
- Windows key + Print Screen (PrtSc) : This captures the entire screen, saves the screenshot automatically to the "Screenshots" folder inside your Pictures library, and copies it to the clipboard so you can paste it elsewhere with Ctrl + V
- Print Screen (PrtSc) key alone : Captures the entire screen and copies it to the clipboard. You can then paste it into an image editor like Paint to save or edit
- Alt + Print Screen : Captures only the active window and copies it to the clipboard for pasting elsewhere
- Windows key + Shift + S : Opens the Snipping Tool overlay, allowing you to select a rectangular area, a freeform shape, a window, or the full screen to capture. The screenshot is copied to the clipboard and opens in Snipping Tool where you can annotate, save, or share it
- Using Snipping Tool app : Open it from the Start menu by typing "snipping tool". Click "New" to capture a screenshot with options for rectangular, freeform, window, or full-screen snips. You can annotate and save the screenshot within the app
These methods work on Windows 10 and Windows 11, with some additional features like video capture available in Snipping Tool on Windows 11 (Windows key + Shift + R)
. In summary, the fastest way to screenshot everything is Windows + PrtSc, while Windows + Shift + S gives you more control over what part of the screen to capture and edit immediately. For simple copying, just pressing PrtSc copies the screen to clipboard for pasting
