InSnapHow to Take a Screenshot on Windows 10 and 11: Every Shortcut
The Windows screenshot shortcuts that matter: Print Screen, Win+Shift+S, Alt+Print Screen, where files are saved, and how to record the screen.
Windows gives you several ways to take a screenshot. They differ in whether they save a file, copy to the clipboard, or let you pick an area first. Here is what each one does.
The shortcuts
| Shortcut | What it does |
|---|---|
| Print Screen (PrtScn) | Copies the whole screen to the clipboard |
| Windows key + Print Screen | Saves the whole screen as a PNG in Pictures › Screenshots |
| Alt + Print Screen | Copies only the active window to the clipboard |
| Windows key + Shift + S | Opens the snipping bar so you can drag an area, a window or the full screen; the result goes to the clipboard |
On some keyboards you need to hold the Fn key to use Print Screen.
Win + Shift + S in detail
This is the one most people want. The screen dims, a small toolbar appears at the top, and you choose rectangle, freeform, window or full screen. The capture is copied to the clipboard, and a notification lets you open it in the Snipping Tool to annotate or save.
Record the screen
In Windows 11, the Snipping Tool can record video: open it, switch to the camera icon and choose an area. The Xbox Game Bar (Windows key + G) also records, mainly the active app window.
Where do screenshots end up?
- Windows + Print Screen saves to Pictures › Screenshots.
- Print Screen, Alt + Print Screen and Win + Shift + S only copy to the clipboard. Paste them into an app, or open the Snipping Tool notification to save.
When the built-in tools are not enough
If you want to annotate in the same step, keep a capture floating above other windows, copy text from an image or capture a long page, a dedicated tool saves a lot of switching. With InSnap, press the capture hotkey (Ctrl+1 by default), drag a box, annotate with arrows, text, numbered steps or mosaic, then copy, save or pin it. Annotation, pinning and OCR are free.
FAQ
How do I take a screenshot on Windows 11?
Press Windows key + Shift + S to choose an area, or Print Screen to copy the whole screen. Windows key + Print Screen saves a file.
Where do Windows screenshots go?
Windows key + Print Screen saves to Pictures › Screenshots. The other shortcuts copy to the clipboard.
How do I screenshot just one window on Windows?
Press Alt + Print Screen with the window active, or use Windows key + Shift + S and choose the window mode.
Print Screen is not working. What can I do?
Try holding Fn with it, or use Windows key + Shift + S instead. If you use a screenshot tool that claims the Print Screen key, check its settings.
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