How to Take Screenshots on Windows 10 and Windows 11

Taking screenshots on Windows 10 and Windows 11 is easy and can be done in several ways. Here are the most common methods to help you capture the screen quickly and efficiently.

Method 1

Using Keyboard Shortcuts

a

Print Screen (PrtScn)

1

Capture all screens

Press the Print Screen key to capture the content of all screens. The screenshot is copied to the clipboard and can be pasted into an image editing program like Paint (Ctrl + V).
2

Capture the active window

Press Alt + Print Screen to capture only the active window. This screenshot is also copied to the clipboard.
3

Automatically save the entire screen content

Press Windows + Print Screen. This captures all screens and automatically saves the screenshot in the "Screenshots" folder in the "Pictures" directory.

b

Windows + Shift + S

1

Press Windows + Shift + S to open the screenshot overlay

Here you can capture a rectangular area, freeform area, specific window, or the entire screen. The screenshot is copied to the clipboard and can be pasted into an image editing program or edited in the internal editor by clicking on the notification that appears. Additionally, the image is saved in the "Screenshots" folder.

Method 2

Using the Snipping Tool

1

Open the Snipping Tool by opening the Start menu and searching for "Snipping Tool."
2

Click "New" to create a new snip and choose the snip type from the top toolbar:

Rectangular, freeform, window, or full screen. Then select the window or area you want to capture. The screenshot will open in the Snipping Tool editor, where you can edit or save it.
3

You can also select a delay before clicking "New" to capture screenshots taken after a few seconds.

This is useful for capturing context menus or tooltips.

Method 3

Using the Xbox Game Bar

1

Press Windows + G to open the Xbox Game Bar.
2

Use the Capture widget (usually in the upper left) to take screenshots.

This method is especially useful for capturing game content or active windows.

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