Wed, August 13, 2025

How to Take a Screenshot on Windows: 6 Easy Methods for Every User

Matt Rooke
Updated on August 5, 2025

Ever wanted to take a screenshot on your laptop, but had no idea how to do so? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered!

In this guide, you’ll get keyboard shortcuts for every kind of screenshot form, from full-screen snapping to capturing an active window; we’ve listed all of them. Scroll through till the end and get your hands on the shortcut key.

Take a Full-Screen Screenshot

Do you know that if you want to take a full-screen screenshot, you just need to press a single key on your keyboard, and it’ll be done in nanoseconds? If not, give this a quick read!

Shortcut Key – Print Screen (prt scr)

Steps to Snip the Screenshot:

  1. Press the Print Screen (prt scr) key on your keyboard.
  2. You’ll see an option for Full Screen, tap that.
  3. Now, the screenshot is captured, and copy it using (Ctrl + C)
  4. Paste anywhere using the shortcut (Ctrl + V).
Notes

While the shortcut is generally Print Screen (prt scr) on most laptops, if it is not working on your model, try (Fn + PrtScn)

Capture the Active Window

If you want to capture the active window, here’s what you need to do;

Shortcut Key: Alt + Prtscr

Steps to take:

  1. Press these two keys (Alt and Prtscr) simultaneously, and your screenshot will be copied to the clipboard.
  2. Open the Photos folder, and copy that screenshot and use it wherever you want.

Take a Custom Area Screenshot with Snipping Tool

Have you ever wondered what if you want to snap a particular area, is it even possible? Well, yes, it is possible by the Snapping tool, so let’s walk through the shortcut to access that.

Shortcut Key: Windows + Shift + S

  1. Open the Snipping Tool, or press Windows + Shift + S.
    Snipping Tool
  1. Your screen will dim, and a small toolbar will appear with four snip types:
    • Rectangular Snip
    • Freeform Snip
    • Window Snip
    • Full-screen Snip
      A small toolbar will appear with four snip types
  1. Choose one from the list as per your preference, and paste it anywhere you want.
Notes

If you’re using Windows 11, Snipping Tool replaces the old ‘Snip & Sketch’ tool and comes with added editing options.

Take a Screenshot and Save Automatically

Cutting down all the shortcut chaos, if you just want to take a screenshot that saves automatically, here’s the ultimate way to do it.

Shortcut Key: Windows + PrtScn

Steps to Snip the Screenshot:

  1. Press Windows + PrtScn.
  1. If your screen gets slightly dim, that means your screenshot is successfully captured.
  1. You can access the screenshot in the Screenshots’ folder from the Files.

This method is one of the fastest and convenient, so if you want to take multiple screenshots and store them instantly, this is the best way to do so.

For Gamers: Use Xbox Game Bar

At last, if you’re a gamer, recording gameplay is a must, and that too in the highest quality possible, so here’s the best way to capture it.

  1. Press Windows + G to open the Game Bar.
    Windows plus G Game Bar
  1. Click the Camera icon or press Windows + Alt + PrtScn.
    Click on the Camera icon
  1. The screenshot is saved under Videos > Captures.

By this, you can capture the gameplay in the highest quality possible!

Bonus Tip: Paste into Messaging Apps

Do you know that you can directly paste screenshots into messaging apps like WhatsApp Web, Google Chat, Teams, or Slack? You just need to press PrtScn or Alt + PrtScn, then paste it using Ctrl + V directly into the applications.

Final Thoughts

By now, you know different methods for taking a Screenshot on Windows. Now, feel free to choose one as per your convenience, and master your Ctrl + C and Ctrl + V game.

Here’s a table for the takeaway that features all the shortcuts in one place:

PrtScnFull-Screen Screenshot
Alt + PrtScnCapture the Active Window
Windows + Shift + SSnapping Tool
Windows + PrtScnScreenshot that Saves Automatically
Windows + GXbox Game Bar

Frequently Asked Questions

How to capture a screenshot with Windows?

The most convenient way to capture a screenshot with Windows is to press Windows + Shift + S.

Where do Windows screenshots go?

They are usually located in the ‘Screenshots’ folder of your device.

Where is the Print Screen button located?

It is usually in the upper right corner of your keyboard as prt scr.

Matt Rooke

Tech and Gadget Writer


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