Make a screenshot in Windows It is one of the most useful functions when you need to save what appears on your monitor, share a bug, save a conversation, or create a tutorial.
Both Windows 10 as Windows 11 They incorporate different tools to capture the entire screen, just a window, or a specific area without the need to install additional programs.
In this guide you will learn How to take screenshots in Windows using the main keyboard shortcuts and tools built into the operating system. 🖥️
Methods for taking a screenshot in Windows
Windows offers several ways to take screenshots, Therefore, you can choose the most convenient method depending on whether you want to capture the entire screen, a window, or only a part of it.
| Method | What capture | Where it is stored |
|---|---|---|
| Impr Pant | Full screen | Clipboard |
| Windows + Print Screen | Full screen | Screenshots folder |
| Alt + Print Screen | Active window | Clipboard |
| Windows + Shift + S | Selected area | Clipboard |
| Trimming tool | Zone, window or full screen | Selected location |
| Xbox Game Bar | Apps and games | Screenshots Folder |
How to take a screenshot using the Print Screen key
The most traditional way to perform a screenshot in Windows It consists of pressing the key Impr Pant, which may also appear as PrtSc, PrtScn or Print Screen depending on the keyboard.
When you press Impr Pant, Windows automatically copies an image of the entire screen to the clipboard.
The screenshot isn't saved immediately as a file, so you'll have to paste it into an application like Paint, Word, PowerPoint, or an email using the Ctrl + V combination.
This system is especially useful when you simply want to quickly copy and paste a screenshot without creating a separate file.
How to automatically save a screenshot
If you want to avoid having to manually paste the image into another application, you can use the shortcut Windows + Print Screen.
Pressing these two keys simultaneously causes Windows to perform a It takes a full screenshot and saves it automatically. on your computer.
You will usually find these images within Images > Screenshots, where Windows automatically creates the folder if it doesn't already exist.
This method is one of the best options when you need to perform several consecutive captures and you want to save them directly as files.
How to capture only one window
If you have multiple windows open but only want to save one of them, you can use the shortcut Alt + Print Screen.
This combination captures exclusively the window that is active at that moment, preventing the desktop or other open applications from appearing.
After taking the capture, you will need to use Ctrl + V to paste it into Paint, Word, an image editor, or any other compatible application.
This method is especially practical for capturing program windows, error messages, or configuration boxes without showing the rest of your desktop.
How to take a screenshot of part of the screen
One of the fastest and most versatile ways to capture only a specific area is to use Windows + Shift + S.
When using this shortcut, the screen will darken slightly and a small menu with different options will appear at the top. capture modes.
You can select a rectangular area, draw a free selection, capture a specific window, or perform a full screenshot.
Once the selection is made, Windows will automatically copy the image to the clipboard and it will usually display a notification that you can tap to edit it.
How to take screenshots with the Snipping Tool ✂️
The application Windows Snipping Tool It provides more options than traditional shortcuts and allows you to easily capture, edit, and save images.
You can find it by writing Clippings in the search bar of the Windows Start menu.
In recent versions of Windows 11 you can also use this application to perform timed captures, This is very useful when you need to open a menu or drop-down menu beforehand.
To take a screenshot using Snipping Tool, you can follow these steps:
- Open the Home menu and write Clippings.
- Select the application Trimming tool.
- Press the button New to start a capture.
- Choose the type of capture that you want to do.
- Select with the mouse the screen area you want to save.
- Use the available tools to draw, highlight or cut out the image.
- Click on the Save to store the capture on your computer.
You can find more information about the system's built-in functions in the official Windows support page.
How to take a screenshot on a laptop
On some laptops the key Print Screen shares a function with another key, Therefore, pressing it directly may not capture anything.
In these cases you will normally have to hold down the key Fn while using Print Screen.
For example, depending on the manufacturer, it may be necessary to use Fn + Print Screen o Fn + Windows + Print Screen.
The exact combination may vary depending on the laptop's brand and model, so you can also use Windows + Shift + S if you want to avoid problems with the special keys.
How to take screenshots with Xbox Game Bar 🎮
Windows also includes the Xbox Game Bar, a tool specially designed to capture and record while using video games or certain applications.
You can open it quickly using the shortcut Windows + G.
Within the toolbar you will find a panel called Capture from which you can perform a active application capture.
You can also use directly Windows + Alt + Print Screen to save a screenshot without first opening the full Xbox Game Bar interface.
Images created using this tool are usually saved within the folder Videos > Screenshots.
You can learn about other features of this tool in the section on Microsoft's Xbox Game Bar.
Where are screenshots saved in Windows?
The location of your captures will depend primarily on the method you used to perform them.
The captures made with Windows + Print Screen They are usually stored automatically within Images > Screenshots.
The captures made using Print Screen, Alt + Print Screen or Windows + Shift + S They usually remain initially on the clipboard until you paste or save them.
If you have image synchronization set up using OneDrive, Some captures may also be automatically stored in the cloud depending on your settings.
You can review the storage and synchronization options from the official website of Microsoft OneDrive.
What to do if Print Screen isn't working
If you press Press Print Screen and apparently nothing happens, Remember that in many cases the screenshot is simply copied to the clipboard without showing any visual confirmation.
You can open Paint and press Ctrl + V to immediately check if the capture has been performed correctly.
You can also try the combination on a laptop. Fn + Print Screen, because many manufacturers assign several functions to the same key.
Another simple alternative is to use Windows + Shift + S, which works on most current Windows 10 and Windows 11 installations.
How to edit a screenshot 🖌️
After taking a screenshot, you can use Paint or the Snipping Tool to add annotations, remove unnecessary parts, or highlight important information.
The Snipping Tool app lets you use tools like pens, highlighters, and image clipping directly after taking the capture.
Paint offers more possibilities if you need to add text, shapes, arrows, or modify the image size before sharing it.
Editing a screenshot before sending it can also help you hide private information or personal data that you don't want to show.
What is the best method for taking screenshots in Windows?
If you need speed and want to select only a portion of the screen, Windows + Shift + S It is probably the most convenient method for most situations.
If you want to automatically save the entire screen as a file, you can use Windows + Print Screen.
When you only want to capture the program you are using, Alt + Print Screen This will prevent other windows from appearing.
If you need more editing options, a timer, or different types of selection, the Trimming tool It will be the most complete alternative.
Knowing these shortcuts will allow you to perform Take screenshots quickly and efficiently in Windows, ...for both working and sharing information, creating tutorials, or saving any content that appears on your screen. ✅