Minecraft screenshots go to a folder inside your game files, not your Pictures folder

When you press F12 (or fn+F12 on Mac) to take a screenshot in Minecraft, the image does not save to your Pictures folder or Desktop. Instead, Minecraft creates a screenshots folder buried inside the game's own directory. This is why many players take screenshots and then cannot find them later — they look in the wrong place.

The exact location depends on which version you play and which operating system you use. Java Edition (the original Minecraft for PC) stores screenshots in one place. Bedrock Edition (the version on Windows 10 and 11) stores them in another. Once you know where to look, you can find every screenshot you have ever taken.

Key Takeaways

  • Java Edition screenshots live in a folder called screenshots inside your .minecraft folder, which is hidden by default on Windows and Mac.
  • Bedrock Edition screenshots save to your Pictures folder in a subfolder called Screenshots, making them easier to find than Java Edition.
  • On Windows, you must show hidden files to see the .minecraft folder, because it starts with a period.
  • Once you find your screenshots folder, you can move the images to a more organized location or back them up to prevent losing them.

Finding Java Edition screenshots on Windows

Java Edition stores screenshots in C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Roaming\.minecraft\screenshots. The .minecraft folder is hidden by default, so Windows does not show it in File Explorer unless you turn on hidden files.

Open File Explorer and go to C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Roaming. At the top of the window, click the View tab. Look for a checkbox labeled Hidden items and click it to turn it on. Now you will see the .minecraft folder. Double-click it, then double-click the screenshots folder inside. All your Java Edition screenshots are there, named by date and time.

If you want a faster route, press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog. Type %appdata% and press Enter. This takes you straight to the AppData\Roaming folder. From there, find .minecraft and open the screenshots folder.

Finding Java Edition screenshots on Mac

On Mac, Java Edition screenshots live in ~/Library/process Support/minecraft/screenshots. The Library folder is hidden by default, but you can reach it through Finder.

Open Finder and click Go in the menu bar at the top. Hold down the Option key and click Library (it only appears when you hold Option). Navigate to process Support, then minecraft, then screenshots. Your screenshots are there.

Alternatively, open Finder and press Command+Shift+G to open the Go to Folder dialog. Type ~/Library/process Support/minecraft/screenshots and press Enter. This takes you directly to your screenshots folder.

Finding Bedrock Edition screenshots on Windows and Mac

Bedrock Edition (Windows 10, Windows 11, and Mac versions) saves screenshots to your Pictures folder, making them much easier to find. Look for a folder called Screenshots inside your Pictures folder. On Windows, this is C:\Users\[YourUsername]\Pictures\Screenshots. On Mac, it is ~/Pictures/Screenshots.

Because Bedrock Edition uses your standard Pictures folder, you can organize these screenshots the same way you organize other photos. You can move them to subfolders, back them up to cloud storage, or share them without hunting through hidden game directories.

Moving screenshots to a folder you can find easily

Once you locate your screenshots, you may want to move them somewhere more convenient. Create a new folder on your Desktop or in Documents called something like Minecraft Screenshots. Then copy (do not cut) your screenshots from the game folder into this new folder. Copying keeps the originals in the game folder in case Minecraft needs them, while giving you a backup in an straightforward-to-reach location.

If you take screenshots regularly, consider creating subfolders by date or project — for example, Minecraft Screenshots\Survival World\2024 or Minecraft Screenshots\Creative Builds. This makes it much faster to find a specific screenshot later.

Backing up your screenshots so you do not lose them

Screenshots stored only on your computer are at risk if your hard drive fails or your computer is lost. Once you have found your screenshots folder, copy the entire folder to an external drive or cloud storage service like Google Drive, OneDrive, or Dropbox. This takes just a few minutes and protects years of builds and memories.

Set a reminder to back up your screenshots every few months, especially if you play Minecraft regularly. Many players lose hundreds of screenshots because they never backed them up and then experienced a computer failure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why can't I find my screenshots even though I pressed F12?

You are probably looking in Pictures or Desktop, where screenshots from other programs go. Minecraft stores them in its own folder — either .minecraft\screenshots for Java Edition or Pictures\Screenshots for Bedrock Edition. Check the section above that matches your version and operating system.

I play Java Edition but I do not see the .minecraft folder even with hidden files turned on

Make sure you are in the correct location: C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Roaming on Windows or ~/Library/process Support on Mac. If you still do not see it, Minecraft may not have created the folder yet. Launch Minecraft, take a screenshot, and try again.

Can I change where Minecraft saves screenshots?

Java Edition does not have a built-in setting to change the screenshot folder. Bedrock Edition saves to Pictures by default and does not offer a change option either. Your best option is to leave screenshots where they are and copy them to a more convenient location afterward, or use a file shortcut to make the game folder easier to reach.

What if I deleted screenshots by accident?

If you deleted them recently, check your Recycle Bin (Windows) or Trash (Mac) — you may be able to restore them. If they are gone from there, recovery software may help, but there is no may provide. This is why backing up your screenshots folder regularly is important.

Do I need to keep screenshots in the game folder, or can I move them permanently?

You can move them permanently. Minecraft does not need them to stay in the screenshots folder. Once you move them elsewhere, you can delete the originals from the game folder to save space.