How to screenshot on a Microsoft Windows device

Step by step on a Microsoft Windows device

1. 1Find the Print Screen key on your Microsoft Windows deviceIt is usually labelled PrtScn, PrtSc or Print Sc on the top row. On a detachable keyboard cover the key may be labelled PrtScn and shared with another function.
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 Microsoft Windows device hardware

• Without a keyboard attached, hold the Windows logo touch button and press Volume Down on devices that support it.
• The on-screen keyboard (Windows + Ctrl + O) includes a Print Screen key when no physical key exists.
• Snipping Tool supports pen input for annotation on touch devices.
• Captures still go to Pictures\Screenshots, which may be redirected to OneDrive.

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 Microsoft Windows device 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

How do I screenshot without a keyboard on Windows?

Open Snipping Tool from the Start menu, or use the on-screen keyboard with Windows + Ctrl + O.