How to screenshot on an HP laptop

Step by step on a HP Windows laptop

1. 1Find the Print Screen key on your HP Windows laptopIt is usually labelled PrtScn, PrtSc or Print Sc on the top row. HP often prints PrtSc on the same key as another function on Envy, Pavilion and Spectre models.
2. 2Capture the whole screenPress Windows + Print Screen. The display dims briefly and a PNG is saved to Pictures\Screenshots.
3. 3Capture a region insteadPress Windows + Shift + S, drag across the area, and the snip is copied to the clipboard.
4. 4Capture only the active windowPress Alt + Print Screen, then paste into Paint or a document with Ctrl + V.
5. 5Save and rename the fileIn the Snipping Tool editor press Ctrl + S, then use a descriptive filename so you can find the capture later.

Notes specific to HP Windows laptop hardware

• HP's Action Keys Mode in BIOS decides whether the top row needs Fn; toggle it if you screenshot often.
• Some HP models label the key 'prt sc' in lower case next to the delete key.
• HP laptops with a numeric keypad place Print Screen at the far right of the function row.
• HP QuickDrop and other bundled utilities do not replace Windows capture shortcuts.
• Captures save to Pictures\Screenshots as on any Windows PC.

Windows screenshot keyboard shortcuts

These shortcuts are part of Windows itself and work in File Explorer, Chrome and any desktop application.

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.

Troubleshooting when the screenshot does not work

• Nothing happens on Print Screen: on a HP Windows laptop the key may be shared with a function key. Try Fn + Print Screen or Fn + Windows + Print Screen.
• Windows + Shift + S does nothing: check Settings > Accessibility > Keyboard, and make sure the Snipping Tool app is installed and updated from the Microsoft Store.
• The screen does not dim: another application may have taken the hotkey. Close capture tools running in the notification area and try again.
• Screenshots are black: this usually means hardware-protected content, such as a DRM video player. Capture the window with a different tool or disable hardware acceleration in that application.
• The file never appears: Windows + Print Screen writes to Pictures\Screenshots. If OneDrive is managing your Pictures folder, look inside OneDrive \ Pictures \ Screenshots.

Recommended Windows software

Frequently asked questions

Why does Print Screen not work on my HP laptop?

The key is shared. Hold Fn while pressing it, or change Action Keys Mode in BIOS setup.

How do I screenshot part of the screen on an HP?

Press Windows + Shift + S and drag over the area you want.