The short answer
Press Windows logo key + Shift + S to open Snipping Tool, then drag to select an area, a window or the full screen. The screenshot is copied to your clipboard so you can paste it with Ctrl + V. To save the full screen straight to a file, press Windows logo key + Print Screen; it goes to Pictures › Screenshots.
Windows has several built-in ways to take screenshots. The quickest is a single keyboard shortcut; the most flexible is the Snipping Tool.
Method 1: Windows + Shift + S (Snipping Tool)
- Press Windows logo key + Shift + S.
- The screen dims and a small toolbar appears at the top. Choose a mode:
- Rectangle: drag to select an area.
- Window: click a window.
- Full screen: capture everything.
- Freeform: draw any shape.
- The screenshot is copied to your clipboard. Paste it into an email, chat or document with Ctrl + V.
- Click the notification that appears to open it in Snipping Tool, where you can draw on it, crop it and save it.
Method 2: Print Screen key
On Windows 11, pressing Print Screen (PrtSc) opens the same Snipping Tool overlay by default. On Windows 10 and some setups, it copies the whole screen to the clipboard instead.
Method 3: Save a full screenshot automatically
Press Windows logo key + Print Screen. The screen dims briefly and the screenshot is saved to Pictures › Screenshots.
Method 4: Capture just the active window
Press Alt + Print Screen to copy the active window to the clipboard, then paste it where you need it.
Open Snipping Tool directly
Select Start, type Snipping Tool, and open it. From there you can:
- Choose a mode and click New.
- Set a delay (3, 5 or 10 seconds) to capture menus that close when you click away.
- Switch to record mode to capture a video of part of your screen.
On a laptop without a Print Screen key
Use Windows logo key + Shift + S, or on some laptops, Fn + Windows + Space or Fn + PrtSc. Check your laptop maker’s documentation.
Tips
- Edit before sharing: use the highlighter and pen in Snipping Tool to point things out, and crop out personal information.
- Recording with sound: Snipping Tool’s recorder can include audio on recent versions; check the microphone and system audio buttons before recording.
Related guides
Using a Mac too? See how to take a screenshot on a Mac. On your phone: iPhone or Android.
The bottom line
Windows + Shift + S is the one shortcut to remember. Use Windows + Print Screen when you want the full screen saved to a file automatically. On a Mac instead? See how to take a screenshot on Mac.
Frequently asked questions
Where are my screenshots saved?
Windows + Print Screen saves to Pictures › Screenshots. Snipping Tool copies to the clipboard and, on recent Windows 11 versions, also saves captures to Pictures › Screenshots automatically (you can change this in Snipping Tool settings).
Can I record a video of my screen?
Yes. In Snipping Tool on Windows 11, switch to the video (record) mode, select an area and start recording. Microsoft also lists Windows logo key + Shift + R as a shortcut for a video snip on recent versions.
My Print Screen key opens Snipping Tool. Can I change that?
Yes. In Settings › Accessibility › Keyboard, turn off the option to use the Print screen key to open screen capture.
Why you can trust this guide
- Based on official sources. The steps here are checked against the 2 official sources listed below, such as the help pages of the companies involved.
- Checked and dated. Last checked on November 10, 2026. We update guides when software or advice changes.
- Independent. No company paid for or reviewed this guide. We don't sell products, and ads never influence our advice.
- Open to corrections. Spotted an error? Tell us and we'll fix it. Read how we research.
Sources
This guide is general information. Menus and features can change with software updates, and steps may differ on your device or version. Back up important data before making big changes. Read our disclaimer.
