How to take a screenshot on Windows

Windows has several built-in screenshot methods. The best one depends on whether you need the whole screen, one window, a selected area, or an image you can mark up immediately.

Updated:

Capture a selected area

Press Windows + Shift + S. The screen dims and the Snipping Tool bar appears. Choose a rectangle, window, full-screen, or free-form capture, then select the area.

The image is copied to the clipboard. Open the notification if you want to crop, draw, copy, or save it.

Capture the whole screen

Press Print Screen to copy the whole screen. Paste it into Paint, a document, or a chat with Ctrl + V.

Press Windows + Print Screen to save the whole screen directly in Pictures\Screenshots. On some laptops, hold Fn as well.

Capture one window

Select the window, then press Alt + Print Screen. Windows copies only the active window to the clipboard. Paste it where you need it and save if required.

Capture and annotate in one step

KKSnap recognizes windows and regions as you move the pointer. After capture, you can add arrows, text, shapes, drawing, pixelation, or blur before saving.

It also supports scrolling capture, delayed capture, pinning a screenshot above other windows, automatic saving, and repeated capture of the same region.

KKSnap screenshot selection and annotation interface
Download KKSnap for Windows Get KKSnap from Microsoft Store

FAQ

Why does Print Screen not create a file?

Print Screen normally copies an image to the clipboard. Paste it into an app and save it, or use Windows + Print Screen to create a file automatically.

How do I screenshot on a laptop?

Try Windows + Shift + S first. If Print Screen shares a key with another function, hold Fn while pressing it.

Microsoft screenshot help