PREMIUMAV WINDOWS HELP
How to Take a Screenshot on Windows 11 and 10
Short answer: To take a screenshot on Windows, press Windows key + Print Screen to save the full screen as a file, or press Windows key + Shift + S to choose an area with Snipping Tool. PrtScn alone copies the screen to the clipboard. Alt + PrtScn copies only the active window.
Windows has several built-in ways to capture the screen, and each saves or copies the image differently. This guide lists the main shortcuts, where the files go, and a safety note about what to hide before you share an image. The steps apply to Windows 11 and Windows 10, with small differences noted.
Screenshot shortcuts at a glance
| Shortcut | What it does | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Windows + PrtScn | Captures the whole screen | Saved as a file |
| Windows + Shift + S | Opens the snipping bar to pick a region, window or full screen | Copied to the clipboard, with a notification to open or edit |
| PrtScn | Captures the whole screen | Copied to the clipboard (may open Snipping Tool on some settings) |
| Alt + PrtScn | Captures the active window only | Copied to the clipboard |
| Windows + G | Opens the Xbox Game Bar capture controls | Saved as a file |
On some laptops the key is labelled PrtSc or needs the Fn key held down.
Take a full-screen screenshot and save it automatically
- Press Windows + PrtScn. The screen may briefly dim.
- Open File Explorer, then Pictures, then Screenshots. The image is saved there as a PNG file.
This is the quickest method when you want an image file without opening any program.
Capture part of the screen with Snipping Tool
- Press Windows + Shift + S. The screen dims and a small bar appears at the top.
- Choose rectangle, freeform, window or full-screen capture, then drag over the area you want.
- Click the notification that appears to open the image in Snipping Tool, where you can crop, annotate and save it. Without saving it, the image stays on the clipboard and you can paste it with Ctrl + V into a document or chat.
You can also search for Snipping Tool in the Start menu and click New. Recent versions may save captures automatically to the Screenshots folder in Pictures, and the settings inside Snipping Tool let you change that behaviour.
Copy the screen with PrtScn or Alt + PrtScn
Press PrtScn to copy the full screen, or Alt + PrtScn to copy only the window that is currently selected. Nothing is saved as a file. Open Paint, a Word document or a chat window and press Ctrl + V to paste the image, then save it. If your system opens Snipping Tool when you press PrtScn, you can change this under Settings, Accessibility, Keyboard.
Use Xbox Game Bar
Press Windows + G to open Game Bar and click the camera icon in the capture panel. Pressing Windows + Alt + PrtScn captures the current game or app window directly. Game Bar saves captures in the Videos folder under Captures. It is aimed mainly at games and full-screen apps, and may not capture the desktop or File Explorer.
Where screenshots are saved
- Windows + PrtScn: Pictures > Screenshots.
- Snipping Tool: the clipboard first, and the Screenshots folder if you save or if automatic saving is on.
- Game Bar: Videos > Captures.
- PrtScn and Alt + PrtScn: clipboard only until you paste and save.
If your Pictures folder is synced to cloud storage, the screenshots may sync as well.
Check privacy before you share a screenshot
Screenshots often reveal more than intended: email addresses, OTPs, licence keys, bank balances, file names and browser tabs. Crop or blur private details before sharing. Never post a screenshot of an OTP, payment screen or ID document in a public group or to someone who calls you. If someone asks you to send a screenshot of your bank or UPI app, treat it as a possible scam. See social engineering attacks.
If screenshots do not work
- Try holding Fn with PrtScn on laptops.
- Restart the PC, then check Windows Update and keyboard settings.
- Close programs that reassign the PrtScn key, such as some cloud-storage or screen-capture tools.
- Use the Snipping Tool from the Start menu as a backup.
- If the screen shows a black image for a protected video or banking window, the app may block captures on purpose.
If your PC behaves strangely overall, read our guide to checking for a virus.
Frequently asked questions
How do I take a screenshot on Windows 11?
Press Windows + PrtScn to save the whole screen to Pictures, then Screenshots. Press Windows + Shift + S to choose an area. Both work on Windows 11 and Windows 10.
Where do screenshots go on Windows?
Screenshots taken with Windows + PrtScn are saved in Pictures, then Screenshots. PrtScn and Alt + PrtScn copy to the clipboard, and Game Bar captures go to Videos, then Captures.
How can I screenshot only one window?
Click the window to select it and press Alt + PrtScn to copy it, then paste it into Paint or a document. You can also use Windows + Shift + S and choose the window option.
Why does PrtScn not save a file?
PrtScn only copies the image to the clipboard. Paste it into Paint or a document and save it, or use Windows + PrtScn to save a file automatically.
Protect your Windows PC
Keeping a PC secure helps protect the private things that appear on screen. Scan your PC on demand with PremiumAV Total Security: Quick, Full and custom scans, USB drive scans, real-time file monitoring and a quarantine vault are listed as included on the features page. See pricing or download the installer to try it on your Windows PC.