Screenshots are important; they just are! You see something funny, important, or interesting on your screen, and you want to save it. It could be a viral meme, an error message for tech support, or a design for inspiration; knowing how to screenshot on Windows is important to know. This is especially true if your keyboard or mouse aren’t working. Having alternate methods is important. 

Most users assume there’s only one way to do this, but Windows offers a surprising number of built-in tools. Some are classic, some are modern, and some are hidden gems that make your life much easier.

This guide walks you through eight reliable methods to capture your screen, so you can choose the one that fits you best.

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Quick List – 7 Ways to Screenshot on Windows

Short on time? Here’s a quick glance at how to screenshot on Windows: 

If you’re looking for more details and tutorials on each, head to the complete guides below.

How to Screenshot on Windows (Complete Tutorials)

Let’s get started:

Method 1 – The PrtScn Key (Classic Way)

This is the oldest and most original method, around since the early days of Windows. It’s simple, direct, and still works perfectly. Here’s how to get started:

• Locate the PrtScn (Print Screen) key on your keyboard. It’s typically near the top-right corner, next to F12.
• Press the key once, and your screen is now copied to the clipboard. However, you won’t see any visual confirmation.
• Now, open the program that accepts pasted images, for instance, Paint, Word, Google Docs, or even an email.
• Press “Ctrl + V” to paste the screenshot.
• Save your file if you want to keep it permanently.

NOTE:  For laptop users, you may need to hold the Fn (Function) key while pressing PrtScn.

Method 2 – Auto-Save Full Screen

This method is a little like the Print Screen key method, but instead, it automatically saves your screenshot as a file. No need to paste it manually into another program. Here’s how to get started: 

• Press ”Windows + PrtScn” simultaneously.
• Your screen will dim briefly. That blip in the screen light confirms that the screenshot was taken.
• Open “File Explorer” and navigate to:
  This “PC” > “Pictures” > “Screenshots.”
• Your screenshot will be there, automatically named “Screenshot (1).png” (or a higher number if you already have images saved).

NOTE: If you’re a tablet user, press the Windows button and the Volume Down button at the same time.

Method 3 – Capture Only the Active Window

Don’t need to capture your entire screen? This method focuses only on the window you’re currently using. Here’s how to do it:

• Click on the window you want to capture to make it the active window.
• Press “Alt + PrtScn.”
• Open an image editing program like Paint.
• Press “Ctrl + V” to paste.
• Save the image to your preferred location.

Method 4 – The Snipping Tool Bar (Windows + Shift + S)

This method for taking a screenshot on Windows is one of the most flexible and convenient built-in methods. Introduced in Windows 10 and refined in Windows 11, it lets you select exactly what you want to capture. Here’s how to get started:

• Press “Windows + Shift + S.”
• Your screen will now dim slightly, and a small toolbar will appear at the top with four capture modes:
  • Rectangle Snip: Draw a box around any area.
  • Freeform Snip: Draw any shape with your mouse or stylus.
  • Window Snip: Click on any open window to capture it entirely.
  • Fullscreen Snip: Capture the entire screen.
• Select your preferred mode and make your selection.
• You’ll see a notification in the bottom-right corner saying “Screenshot saved.” Click this notification to open the Snipping Tool editor. Here you can draw, highlight, and crop before saving.
• Even if you don’t click the notification, the screenshot is saved to your clipboard, ready to paste anywhere.

If you’re wondering where screenshots are saved, clicking the notification and selecting “Save” saves them to your “Pictures” folder. Otherwise, they remain only on your clipboard.

Method 5 – Use the Snipping Tool App

This method involves using the full, dedicated app, which gives you even more control. However, it also depends on your Windows version. You might find it as “Snipping Tool” or “Snip & Sketch.” Here’s how to get started: 

• Type “Snipping Tool” in the Windows search bar and open the app.
• Click “New” to start a new capture.
• Choose from one of the four modes (Rectangle, Freeform, Window, Fullscreen).
• After capturing, the image opens in the editor, where you can evaluate, highlight, and save.

Method 6 – OneDrive Auto-Upload

If you use Microsoft OneDrive, you can set it up to automatically save your screenshots to the cloud. This is perfect for accessing captures from any device. Here’s what to do: 

• Right-click the white or blue “OneDrive cloud icon” on your taskbar.
• Click “Settings.” If you’re using another model, click on “Help & Settings” > “Settings”.
• Go to the “Backup” tab.
• Check the box that says “Save screenshots I capture to OneDrive.”
• Click “OK” to save your settings.

Method 7 – Via Xbox Game Bar

The Xbox Game Bar, though originally being designed for gamers, works for any program on your PC. It’s especially useful for capturing games or apps that block the Print Screen key. Here’s how to screenshot on Windows using this method:

• Press “Windows + G” to open the Game Bar overlay.
• Find the “Capture” widget and look for the camera icon.
• Click the camera icon to take a screenshot. (There are also other options to screen record, etc.)

Alternatively, use the shortcut Windows + Alt + PrtScn to take a screenshot without opening the Game Bar.

Now that you’ve taken the screenshot, here’s how to find it: File Explorer > This PC > Videos > Captures.

In a Nutshell

As mentioned, there is no single “right” way to take a screenshot on Windows, which is why this guide offers seven methods to choose from. 

The best method for you depends entirely on what fits your workflow and feels most natural to you. Most Windows users eventually go towards “Windows + Shift + S” because it offers the perfect balance of speed and flexibility. However, there are others who prefer the full Snipping Tool app for its editing features.

You don’t need to settle on one; always keep experimenting with a few methods and pick the one that is simpler and occurs naturally to you.