How to Take a Screenshot on Windows (Easy Guide)

 Introduction

Screen capturing on Windows has become an absolute necessity in day-to-day life, whether to save vital information, report a technical problem, or simply to have a clear image on your screen. The silver lining is that Windows 10 and Windows 11 have made it extremely easy to take a screenshot in various ways. You can take a snapshot of your entire screen, a running window, or even a particular part of it — without having to use third-party tools.

This step-by-step tutorial will explain all the no-tech tricks of taking screenshots on Windows with the help of built-in tools and shortcuts. We will delve into it and identify the most suitable approach that suits you.

1. With the assistance of the Print Screen (PrtScn) Key

The easiest and quickest method of creating a screenshot in Windows is by pressing the Print Screen key on your keyboard. This key is commonly denoted as PrtScn or PrtSc and is situated close to the upper right side of the keyboard.

How to use it:

• Press PrtScn: This button captures the whole screen and pastes it to your clipboard.
• Open Paint or any image editing software and paste the screenshot using Ctrl + V.
• You can save the file by pressing Ctrl + S and selecting the folder and format that you want (such as PNG or JPEG).

Hint: This trick does not save the picture by default — you have to save it manually.

2. Shortcut (Auto-Save) Windows + Print Screen

This is the best choice in case you want the automatic save of your screenshot.

Steps:

• Press the Windows key and PrtScn together.
• Your screen will become dark for a moment, confirming that a screenshot was captured.
• The photo is automatically saved in the Pictures → Screenshots folder.

It is among the best methods of capturing full-screen shots without any extra effort.

3. Snipping Tool (Windows 10 & 11)

Snipping Tool is an inbuilt screenshot utility that provides greater flexibility than the simple Print Screen method. It allows you to capture custom areas, windows, or the entire screen.

How to use Snipping Tool:

• In the Windows search box, type Snipping Tool and open it.
• Click New and choose the area you wish to capture.

• The available modes include:

  Free-form Snip
• Rectangular Snip
• Window Snip
• Full-screen Snip
• Once captured, you can edit, annotate, or save the picture directly.

Pro Tip: It is also possible to schedule a timer before capturing in case you must open menus or hover over certain elements.

4. Snip & Sketch (Windows + Shift + S)

Windows also introduced an updated version of the Snipping Tool called Snip & Sketch, which is faster and simpler to use for capturing specific parts of your screen.

Steps:

Press Windows + Shift + S.

2. The screen will darken, and a small toolbar will appear at the top with options such as:

Rectangular Snip

• Freeform Snip

• Window Snip

• Full-screen Snip

• Freeform Snip

• Window Snip

• Full-screen Snip

1. After taking a snip, it is copied to your clipboard.

2. You can use Ctrl + V to paste it anywhere, or use the pop-up to edit and save it.

It’s the ideal shortcut for quick and customizable screen captures without needing extra software.

5. Active Window – Alt + Print Screen

This shortcut helps you save time and effort when you want to capture only the active window.

How to use it:

• Click on the window you wish to capture.
• Press Alt + PrtScn.
• Open Paint or any image editor and press Ctrl + V to paste.
• Click Save to store the image in your desired folder.

This is ideal when multitasking, and you only need a single window captured.

6. Xbox Game Bar (Gamers’ Choice)

Windows includes a feature called Xbox Game Bar, which is mainly used by gamers but can be used by anyone to capture screenshots or record videos.

Steps:

• Press Windows + G to open Xbox Game Bar.
• Click the Camera icon in the Capture section, or press Windows + Alt + PrtScn.
• The screenshots will automatically be saved in Videos → Captures.

Bonus: You can even record your screen or gameplay with sound using the same tool.

7. Third-Party Screenshot Tools

Even though Windows provides many built-in features, third-party applications offer additional options such as scrolling screenshots, instant uploads, and advanced editing.

Popular choices:

• Lightshot – Lightweight and simple.
• Greenshot – Excellent for quick annotations.
• ShareX – A professional tool with powerful customization options.

These tools make capturing and sharing screenshots even easier, especially for content creators or tech users.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. In what place have I saved my screenshots?

When using Windows + PrtScn, they are saved in Pictures → Screenshots. For Xbox Game Bar, visit Videos → Captures.

2. What is the way to alter the default screenshot folder?

To relocate the “Screenshots” folder, right-click it, choose Properties → Location, and change it to a different path.

3. Why is the Print Screen key not working?

Check if your keyboard requires the Fn (Function) key. On some laptops, you must press Fn + PrtScn.

4. Is it possible to take a shot of only half of my screen?

Yes, use Windows + Shift + S to capture any custom area.

5. How can I automatically take screenshots periodically?

You can use third-party programs such as ShareX to schedule and take screenshots automatically.

Conclusion

There is no easier way to take a screenshot on Windows than in 2025, with so many tools available. Whether you prefer fast keyboard shortcuts, built-in utilities like Snip & Sketch, or advanced third-party software, there’s a method for everyone.

For most users, Windows + Shift + S is the quickest and most versatile method to capture exactly what you need. However, Windows + PrtScn is perfect for automatic saving.

By mastering these simple tricks, you can save time, boost productivity, and easily share your screen moments. Whether you’re troubleshooting, creating tutorials, or saving memories, you now know exactly how to take a screenshot on Windows the easy way.