How to save a screenshot on Windows

Where Windows saves your screenshots

• Windows + Print Screen saves PNG files to This PC \ Pictures \ Screenshots.
• Windows + Alt + Print Screen saves to This PC \ Videos \ Captures via Xbox Game Bar.
• Windows + Shift + S copies to the clipboard first; the file only exists once you save it from the Snipping Tool editor.
• Print Screen and Alt + Print Screen copy to the clipboard only — paste into an editor or document with Ctrl + V.

You can move the Screenshots folder: right-click it, open Properties, then the Location tab, and choose a new path.

Move the Screenshots folder

1. 1Open Pictures in File ExplorerRight-click the Screenshots folder.
2. 2Open Properties > LocationClick Move and choose a new folder.
3. 3Confirm the moveWindows keeps writing new captures to the new path.

Filenames that stay findable

• Include the application and the subject: 'chrome-checkout-error.png'.
• Add a date prefix for chronological sorting: '2026-08-01-invoice-page.png'.
• Let ShareX or Greenshot apply a pattern automatically so you never rename manually.

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