Knowing how to take a screenshot on a PC is one of the most useful everyday computer skills. Whether you’re capturing an error message, saving a receipt, or sharing a moment from a video call, Windows offers several built-in methods that don’t require any third-party software. This guide covers every major method across Windows 10, 11, and 7, including laptop-specific tricks and alternatives when the Print Screen key is missing or broken.
With the release of Windows 11, Microsoft unified its screenshot tools under a single, modern Snipping Tool. However, the classic keyboard shortcuts that have been part of Windows for decades still work perfectly. The best method depends on your version of Windows, whether you want the image saved automatically, and whether you need to capture the whole screen or just a specific area.
4 Quick Ways to Screenshot on a PC
Print Screen (PrtScn)
Full screen to clipboard. Must paste into an editor.
Best for: Quick full-screen grab.
Windows + PrtScn
Full screen saved automatically to the Screenshots folder.
Best for: Instant saved screenshot.
Windows + Shift + S
Opens the Snipping Tool bar. Choose rectangle, freeform, window, or full-screen.
Best for: Selective area capture.
Snipping Tool / Snip & Sketch
Standalone app with delay, annotation, and save options.
Best for: Advanced capture with edits.
- The Windows + Shift + S shortcut is the most versatile method introduced in Windows 10 and refined in Windows 11.
- Most laptop users can access PrtScn by holding the Fn key; some models have a dedicated PrtScn button without Fn.
- Screenshots taken with Windows + PrtScn are saved automatically to Pictures > Screenshots, while clipboard-based methods require manual paste.
- On Windows 7, the Snipping Tool is available but lacks the ‘Snip & Sketch’ overlay; use Print Screen or the classic Snipping Tool.
- Game Bar (Windows + G) can capture screenshots of games and non-game apps, but is bulkier than the other tools.
| Action | Shortcut | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Full screen to clipboard | PrtScn | Copies image to clipboard |
| Active window to clipboard | Alt + PrtScn | Copies only active window |
| Full screen auto-save (Win 10/11) | Windows + PrtScn | Saves to Screenshots folder |
| Open Snipping Tool overlay | Windows + Shift + S | Lets you select area, copies to clipboard |
| Open Snip & Sketch app | Windows + Shift + S then click notification | Allows editing/saving |
| Windows 7 Snipping Tool | Start > Snipping Tool | Opens classic tool |
How to Screenshot on Windows 10, 11, and 7
Windows 10 screenshot methods
Windows 10 users have access to the full set of modern shortcuts. Press Windows + Shift + S to open the Snipping Tool overlay, which presents four capture modes: rectangular, freeform, window, and full-screen. The image is copied to your clipboard, and a notification appears that lets you open it in the Snip & Sketch app for annotation and saving. For instant file creation, Windows + PrtScn saves the full screen to Pictures\Screenshots without any further steps. You can also set the Print Screen key to open the Snipping Tool directly via Settings > Accessibility > Keyboard.
Windows 11 screenshot options
Windows 11 continues with the same shortcuts but improves the experience. The Snipping Tool is the default screenshot app, and pressing Windows + Shift + S triggers a sleek, dark overlay. The tool now also supports screen recording (use Windows + Shift + R to start a video capture). As noted by Microsoft Support, “Press Windows logo key + Shift + S to open the snipping tool overlay” for immediate access to all capture modes. The overall process is faster and more visually integrated compared to Windows 10.
Windows 7 screenshot basics
Windows 7 does not have the Windows + Shift + S shortcut or the Snip & Sketch app. The primary methods are the traditional Print Screen (full screen to clipboard), Alt + PrtScn (active window to clipboard), and the classic Snipping Tool found under Start > All Programs > Accessories. The Snipping Tool on Windows 7 supports rectangular, freeform, window, and full-screen captures, but it lacks the modern overlay and delay features. Once captured, you must manually save the file.
If you are still using Windows 7, your most reliable option for a flexible capture is to open the Snipping Tool from the Start menu. You can pin it to the taskbar for faster access. Windows 7 also supports Ctrl + PrtScn when you need to capture open menus that would otherwise disappear.
How to Screenshot on PC Without a Print Screen Key
Not all keyboards have a dedicated Print Screen key, especially compact laptops and Bluetooth keyboards. Fortunately, several workarounds exist.
Using the on-screen keyboard
Windows includes a virtual keyboard that can be launched by pressing Windows + Ctrl + O. Once open, the on-screen keyboard includes a PrtScn key that works exactly like the physical one. This method is useful if your hardware is damaged or missing the key entirely.
Snipping Tool as a full replacement
The Snipping Tool can be used entirely without the Print Screen key. Simply search for “Snipping Tool” in the Start menu and launch it. From there, you can choose New, select your capture mode, and save the image. On Windows 10 and 11, you can also press Windows + Shift + S even if there is no PrtScn key on your keyboard, because this shortcut relies on the Windows key and the S key, both of which are almost always present.
Game Bar as a backup
On Windows 10 and 11, the Xbox Game Bar can take screenshots. Press Windows + G to open the overlay, then click the camera icon or press Windows + Alt + PrtScn to capture. The image is saved to Videos\Captures by default. This method is slightly slower than the Snipping Tool but works when other options fail.
How to Screenshot on a Laptop
Laptops often require a little extra know-how because space constraints mean the Print Screen function is shared with another key.
Fn key combinations
If your laptop doesn’t show “PrtScn” on its own key, look for it printed in a secondary color (often blue or orange) on keys like Insert, F10, F12, or End. To use it, hold the Fn key and press that key. On many Dell laptops, for example, the combination is Fn + Insert. On Lenovo models, it can be Fn + F12 or Fn + PrtSc depending on the series. There is no universal standard across brands.
The exact Fn key combination varies by laptop manufacturer. Check the bottom row of your F keys for a small icon that looks like a rectangle with a camera or the letters “PrtSc”. If you cannot find it, search online for your specific model or simply use Windows + Shift + S, which does not require a PrtScn key.
Without a dedicated PrtScn key
If your laptop keyboard has no Print Screen function at all, rely on the software methods: Windows + Shift + S (Windows 10/11) or the Snipping Tool (all versions). These do not depend on the physical PrtScn key and work on any laptop running modern Windows. For users who need this often, the shortcut can become second nature very quickly.
Where Do Screenshots Go on PC?
Understanding where your screenshot ends up is essential to avoid losing it.
Automatic saves with Windows + PrtScn
When you press Windows + PrtScn, the screen dims briefly and the image is saved as a PNG file. The default location is This PC > Pictures > Screenshots. You can change this folder by right-clicking the Screenshots folder, selecting Properties, going to the Location tab, and moving it to a new directory.
Clipboard-only methods
Using PrtScn, Alt + PrtScn, or Windows + Shift + S copies the image to your clipboard. Nothing is saved to your hard drive until you paste it into an application like Paint, Word, or an email. To paste, open the program and press Ctrl + V. From there, you can save the file manually.
Snipping Tool saves
When you use the standalone Snipping Tool or Snip & Sketch app, you must manually choose a save location each time. The tool will prompt you with a Save As dialog box, which defaults to the last folder you used. Screenshots are not automatically stored in a fixed folder.
Many users press PrtScn and then cannot find the screenshot. The image is in the clipboard, not saved as a file. You must open an image editor (such as Paint) and press Ctrl + V to paste it before saving. Only Windows + PrtScn saves the file directly to the Screenshots folder.
Evolution of Screenshot Tools on Windows
- 1990s: Print Screen key becomes standard; copies full screen to clipboard.
- 2002: Windows XP Tablet PC Edition introduces Snipping Tool.
- 2007: Snipping Tool included in Windows Vista and later versions.
- 2015: Windows 10 introduces Windows + Shift + S shortcut and Game Bar.
- 2018: Snip & Sketch app replaces Snipping Tool in Windows 10 October 2018 Update.
- 2021: Windows 11 integrates Snipping Tool as default, with unified overlay.
- 2024: Snipping Tool adds screen recording and OCR features.
What’s Certain and What’s Not About Screenshots on PC
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| The Print Screen key always captures the full screen to the clipboard on any Windows version. | The exact Fn key combination varies by laptop brand (e.g., Fn + Insert on many Dells, Fn + F12 on some Lenovos). |
| Windows + PrtScn saves directly to Pictures\Screenshots on Windows 10/11. | Some older or custom keyboards may not have a PrtScn key; alternative methods depend on the OS version. |
| Windows + Shift + S opens the Snipping Tool overlay on Windows 10/11. | Default save location for screenshots taken with Snipping Tool is not automatic; user must manually save. |
| Snipping Tool is available on Windows 7 through 11. | — |
Which Screenshot Method Should You Use?
For most users, the Windows + Shift + S shortcut offers the best balance of speed and flexibility. It allows you to choose a specific area and immediately edit or paste. If you need the screenshot automatically saved, use Windows + PrtScn. For older systems (Windows 7) or when the keyboard is broken, use the Snipping Tool or on-screen keyboard. Laptop users should check their Fn key mapping; many can still use PrtScn by holding Fn. The Game Bar (Windows + G) is a good fallback for capturing game screenshots but adds complexity.
What the Official Sources Say
“Press Windows logo key + Shift + S to open the snipping tool overlay.”
— Microsoft Support, ‘Use Snipping Tool to capture screenshots’
“To take a full-screen screenshot in Windows 10, use the ‘Print Screen’ key. To directly save the screenshot, press ‘Windows+Print Screen’.”
— Reddit r/WindowsHelp (user advice, corroborated by Microsoft)
“To capture the entire screen, press the ‘PrtScn’ key. This will copy the screenshot to your clipboard.”
— elearn.soton.ac.uk knowledge base
Beyond Basic Screenshots
Now that you can take screenshots, you might want to edit them (crop, annotate) using the built-in Snipping Tool editor or Paint. For recurring captures, create a shortcut to the Snipping Tool. If you often need to record your screen, Windows has the Xbox Game Bar (Win + G) for video recording. Also explore the ‘Screen snip’ option in the Action Center for even quicker access. For more on related utilities, read our guide on Which Broadband Speed Test – Best Free UK Tools Reviewed and Microsoft Contact Number UK Free 0800 – Official Support Lines & Hours.
How do I take a screenshot on a PC without Windows key?
Use the Print Screen key alone (copies to clipboard) or open Snipping Tool from Start menu. You can also use the on-screen keyboard (Win + Ctrl + O) if your hardware lacks the key.
Can I screenshot on Windows 7?
Yes. Use Print Screen (full screen), Alt + Print Screen (active window), or open Snipping Tool from Start > All Programs > Accessories. Windows 7 does not have the Windows + Shift + S shortcut.
How to screenshot on a Dell laptop?
On most Dell laptops, press Fn + Insert (PrtScn). Some models use Fn + F10 or Fn + F12. Check the label on the F keys. Alternatively, use Windows + Shift + S if running Windows 10/11.
Where do screenshots go in Windows 10?
Screenshots taken with Windows + PrtScn are saved in Pictures > Screenshots. Screenshots taken with PrtScn alone or Snipping Tool are copied to clipboard and must be pasted into an image editor.
How to change screenshot save location?
For Windows + PrtScn saves, right-click the Screenshots folder > Properties > Location tab > Move. For Snipping Tool, you select the folder each time you save.
Fiona Caldwell is Managing Editor at TradeWireUK.uk, running the daily news list, the publishing schedule and the newsroom workflow.