How Do You Screenshot With a Computer?

How Do You Screenshot With a Computer?

You can screenshot a computer screen by using keyboard shortcuts such as Windows + Shift + S, Print Screen (PrtScn), or Windows + PrtScn on Windows, while Mac users can use Command + Shift + 3 or Command + Shift + 4. Windows also includes the built-in Snipping Tool for capturing, editing, saving, and sharing screenshots.

What Is a Screenshot?

A screenshot is a digital image of what is currently displayed on your computer screen. You can use screenshots to save information, explain a computer problem, document an error, or share something with another person.

On Windows, Microsoft's Snipping Tool can capture the entire screen, a specific window, or a selected area.

How to Screenshot on a Windows Computer

There are several easy ways to capture your screen in Windows 10 and Windows 11.

Method 1: Windows + Shift + S

This is one of the easiest methods for capturing part of your screen.

Press Windows + Shift + S.
Your screen will become slightly darker.
Select the area you want to capture.
Release the mouse button.
The screenshot is copied to your clipboard.
Click the notification to open it in Snipping Tool.
Select Save to save the image.

Microsoft confirms that Windows + Shift + S opens the screen-snipping interface and lets you select an area to capture.

Method 2: Windows + PrtScn

To capture the entire screen and save it automatically:

Press Windows + PrtScn.

Windows saves the screenshot in:

Pictures → Screenshots

This shortcut captures the full screen and saves the image as a file.

Method 3: Print Screen (PrtScn)

Press:

PrtScn

This captures the screen and copies the image to the clipboard.

You can then open an application such as Paint, Word, or an email and press:

Ctrl + V

to paste the screenshot.

Method 4: Capture Only the Active Window

If you only want to capture the window you're currently using:

Press Alt + PrtScn.

The active window is copied to the clipboard, after which you can paste it using Ctrl + V.

How to Use Snipping Tool

Windows includes the Snipping Tool, which provides several screenshot modes.

You can search for Snipping Tool from the Windows Start menu and open it.

It supports:

Rectangle: Select a rectangular area.
Freeform: Draw around the area you want.
Window: Capture a specific window.
Full screen: Capture the entire display.

After taking a screenshot, you can edit, crop, annotate, save, or share it.

Screenshot Keyboard Shortcuts Compared
Shortcut What It Captures Where It Goes
Windows + Shift + S Selected area Clipboard/Snipping Tool
Windows + PrtScn Entire screen Pictures → Screenshots
PrtScn Entire screen Clipboard
Alt + PrtScn Active window Clipboard
Snipping Tool Selected area/window/full screen Snipping Tool
How to Save a Screenshot

If you used Windows + Shift + S or PrtScn, the screenshot may initially be copied to the clipboard.

You can:

Open Paint.
Press Ctrl + V.
Click File → Save As.
Choose PNG or another image format.
Select a folder.
Click Save.

With Snipping Tool, you can also use its Save option after capturing the screen.

How to Screenshot on a Mac

Mac computers use different keyboard shortcuts.

Capture the Entire Screen

Press:

Command + Shift + 3

This captures the entire screen.

Capture Part of the Screen

Press:

Command + Shift + 4

Then drag across the area you want to capture.

Capture a Specific Window

Press:

Command + Shift + 4, then press Spacebar.

Move the camera pointer over the window and click it to capture that window.

Mac screenshots are normally saved to the desktop by default.

How to Screenshot on a Laptop

Laptop keyboards sometimes place PrtScn on another key or require the Fn key.

If the normal shortcut doesn't work, try:

Fn + PrtScn

or use:

Windows + Shift + S

The Snipping Tool method is particularly useful because it does not depend on finding a dedicated Print Screen key.

How to Screenshot Part of a Computer Screen

If you don't want to capture the entire screen, use:

Windows + Shift + S

Then choose the rectangular selection option and drag around the area you want.

This is useful when capturing:

Error messages
Website sections
Online receipts
Software settings
Documents
Specific images
A portion of a webpage
How to Screenshot a Website

To screenshot part of a website on Windows:

Open the webpage.
Press Windows + Shift + S.
Select the area you want.
Open the captured image.
Crop or annotate it if necessary.
Save the screenshot.

For a full-screen website capture, you can use Windows + PrtScn.

What If the Print Screen Key Doesn't Work?

Some keyboards do not have a clearly labeled Print Screen key, while others combine it with another function.

Look for labels such as:

PrtSc
PrtScn
Print Scr
PrntScrn

If the key is unavailable or doesn't work, use:

Windows + Shift + S

or open Snipping Tool from the Start menu.

How to Screenshot an Error Message

When troubleshooting a computer problem, a screenshot can make it easier to show the exact error.

A simple method is:

Windows + Shift + S → Select the error → Save the screenshot

You can then attach the image to an email, support ticket, forum post, or chat.

Screenshot vs Screen Recording

A screenshot creates a still image.

A screen recording creates a video showing what happens on the screen.

Windows 11's Snipping Tool also supports screen recording, including the Windows + Shift + R shortcut.

Feature Screenshot Screen Recording
Output Image Video
Best for Errors, information, pictures Demonstrating problems
File size Usually smaller Usually larger
Windows tool Snipping Tool Snipping Tool
Example shortcut Windows + Shift + S Windows + Shift + R
Best Screenshot Method for Different Situations
Situation Recommended Method
Capture part of screen Windows + Shift + S
Capture entire Windows screen Windows + PrtScn
Capture active window Alt + PrtScn
Edit screenshot Snipping Tool
Quickly paste screenshot PrtScn
Capture entire Mac screen Command + Shift + 3
Capture part of Mac screen Command + Shift + 4
Quick Flowchart

Want to take a screenshot?
↓
Windows computer?
→ Yes → Press Windows + Shift + S
→ Select the area → Edit/Save
↓
Want the entire screen saved automatically?
→ Press Windows + PrtScn
↓
Mac computer?
→ Entire screen: Command + Shift + 3
→ Selected area: Command + Shift + 4

Frequently Asked Questions
Where are screenshots saved on Windows?

Screenshots taken with Windows + PrtScn are saved in the Pictures → Screenshots folder.

How do I screenshot only part of my screen?

On Windows, press Windows + Shift + S, then select the area you want to capture.

How do I screenshot without the Print Screen button?

Use Windows + Shift + S to open Snipping Tool's screen capture interface.

Can I edit a screenshot after taking it?

Yes. Snipping Tool allows you to annotate, crop, and save captured screenshots.

What is the shortcut for a screenshot on Mac?

Use Command + Shift + 3 for the entire screen or Command + Shift + 4 to select part of the screen.

Final Answer

The easiest way to screenshot a Windows computer is to press Windows + Shift + S, select the area you want, and then save the captured image using Snipping Tool. For a full-screen screenshot saved directly as a file, use Windows + PrtScn. Mac users can use Command + Shift + 3 for the entire screen or Command + Shift + 4 for a selected area.