8 ways to take a screenshot on Windows 10 and Windows 11
Redeem now - To take a screenshot on Windows 10 or 11, you can use the Print Screen button or Snipping Tool.
- You can also take a screenshot with the Game Bar by pressing the Windows Key + G.
- Third-party apps offer even more features, like automatically uploading screenshots to the internet.
If you want to take a screenshot on your Windows 10 or Windows 11 computer, there are several methods you can use.
Whether you want to save the entire screen or just a piece of it, we've rounded up all the best ways to take a Windows screenshot.
Quick tip: If you have a Mac, check out the following article on how to take screenshots on a Mac computer.
The Print Screen button
The easiest way to take a screenshot of your entire screen on Windows 10 or Windows 11 is by pressing the Print Screen (PrtScn) button on your keyboard.
The screenshot will be copied to your clipboard, or you can save it to your screenshots folder. To save the file, paste the screenshot into any program that allows you to insert images, like Microsoft Word or Paint.
Quick tip: You can bring up the clipboard to view the screenshots you've taken by pressing the Windows key + V.
The Windows key + Print Screen
To take a screenshot on Windows 10 or Windows 11 and automatically save the file to the Screenshots folder, press the Windows key + PrtScn. Your screen will go dim and a screenshot of your entire screen will be saved to the folder.
Quick tip: You can find the Screenshots folder by opening File Explorer (press the Windows key + E) and clicking Pictures in the left side panel (navigation pane). If you have OneDrive enabled, the screenshot will be saved there as well.
Alt + Print Screen
To only capture the active window you're working in, press Alt + PrtScn. The screenshot will be copied to your clipboard, and you'll need to paste it into another program to save it.
The Snip & Sketch tool in Windows 10
The Windows 10 Snip & Sketch app is the best way to screenshot on Windows if you're looking to customize, annotate, or share your screen captures. This is the best way to annotate your screenshots before sharing them, as it gives you editing capabilities like an eraser, a ruler, and cropping tools.
To activate Snip & Sketch, use the keyboard shortcut Windows Key + Shift + S. Your screen will go dim and a mini menu will appear at the top of your screen, giving you the option to take a rectangular, free-form, window, or full-screen capture.
With these Snip & Sketch options, you can choose how you'd like to take a screenshot:
| Mode | Function |
| Rectangular | Size a rectangle for your screenshot. |
| Free-form | Draw free-hand with your cursor. |
| Window | Choose a specific window to capture. |
| Full-screen | Grab an image of your entire screen. |
After you capture the screenshot, it'll be saved to your clipboard and a preview notification will appear in the bottom-right corner of your screen.
Click on the preview notification to open the Snip & Sketch app, where you can save, share, or edit the screenshot with the available drawing tools.
The Snipping Tool in Windows 11
Although the Snipping Tool exists in Windows 10, it's not usually the screenshot tool you'll want to use. In Windows 11, the Snipping Tool got a major upgrade and it's now the best way to take custom screenshots.
To start the Snipping Tool in Windows 11, you can search for it or press the Windows Key + Shift + S. Like Snip & Sketch, your screen will go dim and a toolbar of screenshot options will appear at the top of the screen. This toolbar will let you take a rectangular, freeform, full-window, or a full-screen capture, as well as time your screenshot for the amount of seconds you'll need to pull up the window you need to capture.
Once you've taken your screenshot, it can be copied to your clipboard, saved to the Screenshots folder, or printed right away. If you click the preview that pops up in the bottom-right corner of your screen, you'll be able to save and edit it further.
The Game Bar
The Game Bar is an overlay you can use within most Windows apps and games to take screenshots and record videos. Follow the steps below to open and use it:
1. Press Windows Key + G.
Quick tip: If the Game Bar doesn't open, make sure it's enabled. To do that, press the Windows key + I to open the settings app and head to Gaming > Xbox Game Bar. Then, turn on the toggle to enable Game Bar for "recording game clips, chatting with friends, and receiving game invites."
2. In the overlay menu, click the Capture button – the camera icon – in the top menu to bring up the Capture menu.
3. In the Capture menu, click the camera icon to take a screenshot. You can also record a video clip by pressing the record button, with the option to include audio by clicking the microphone icon.
Screenshots and video clips captured by the Game Bar are saved in PNG and MP4 format and you can find them in the Videos > Captures folder in File Explorer. You can also find them through the Game Bar's Gallery, by clicking Show my captures > See my captures underneath the screenshot and recording buttons in the Capture menu.
Power + Volume Up
To take a screenshot on Windows 10 with a Microsoft Surface device, press the Power Button + Volume Up Button. The screen will go dim, and your screenshot will save to the Pictures > Screenshots folder.
Important: To take a screenshot on a Surface 3 or earlier, you'll need to press the Windows Logo + Volume Down Button.
Third-party screenshot apps for Windows
If you're unsatisfied with any of the built-in Windows methods, there are third-party screenshot tools worth considering, each with its own extra offerings.
- Lightshot is a free screenshot tool designed for quick social sharing. When you download and install Lightshot on Windows 10, it replaces the Print Screen function and offers more editing capabilities.
- Greenshot is another free tool that allows you to edit and customize screenshots, as well as the option to capture a complete scrolling web page.
- ScreenRec is a free Windows recording tool that allows you to capture and share videos and screenshots. It also provides tools for annotating your recordings and screen grabs, as well as instantly creating a link that you can share with others so they can view them.
- Snagit is a screenshot tool that allows you to create animated GIFs, take full-page screenshots, and more. The downside? The premium version costs $50. There's a 30-day free trial option but any picture you capture during the trial will be watermarked.
- Screencast-O-Matic is a web-based video editor and screen-sharing tool for recording your on-screen activities. It also has the ability to take screenshots, you'll just need to sign up for a free account. You can also upgrade to a premium account to unlock advanced features, starting at $4 a month.
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