The basic way: Press Print Screen or PrtScn

The Print Screen key (labeled PrtScn, Print Scrn, or similar) captures everything on your screen and stores it in your clipboard. On most laptops, it is in the top right area of the keyboard, often sharing a key with another function. You press it once — nothing visible happens, but the image is now copied and ready to paste.

After pressing Print Screen, open any program that accepts images: Notepad, Word, Paint, email, or a messaging app. Right-click and select Paste, or use Ctrl+V. The screenshot appears. From there you can save it, edit it, or send it.

The limitation is that Print Screen captures your entire screen, including taskbars, windows you did not mean to include, and anything else visible. If you need only part of the screen, you will need a different method.

Key Takeaways

  • Press the Print Screen key once to copy your entire screen to the clipboard, then paste it into any program using Ctrl+V or right-click Paste.
  • On Windows, use Windows key + Shift + S to select and capture only the part of the screen you want, then save or paste the result.
  • On Mac, press Command + Shift + 4 to select a portion, Command + Shift + 3 for the full screen, or Command + Shift + 5 for more options including recording.
  • Screenshots are saved as image files you can edit, share, or store — they are not sent anywhere automatically.

Capturing only part of your screen on Windows

If you want to screenshot just a window or a specific area, Windows has a built-in tool that is faster than Print Screen. Press Windows key + Shift + S. Your screen will dim and your cursor will change to a crosshair.

Click and drag to draw a rectangle around the part you want to capture. When you release the mouse, that selection is copied to your clipboard. A small notification appears in the bottom right corner — click it to open the image in the Snipping Tool, where you can crop, annotate, or save it as a file.

This method is much more useful than Print Screen for most people because you do not have to edit out unwanted parts later. You capture only what you need.

Taking screenshots on a Mac

Mac laptops use different key combinations. Press Command + Shift + 3 to capture your entire screen. The image saves directly to your desktop as a file named "Screenshot [date] at [time].png".

For a partial screenshot, press Command + Shift + 4. Your cursor becomes a crosshair. Drag to select the area you want, then release. The image saves to your desktop the same way.

If you want more control — such as recording a video of your screen instead of a still image — press Command + Shift + 5. A menu appears with options to capture a selection, a window, or the entire screen, plus a button to record video. You can also choose where to save the file before you capture.

Where your screenshots go and how to find them

On Windows, screenshots taken with Print Screen or Windows + Shift + S go into your clipboard first. They do not automatically save to a file unless you paste them into a program and save that program's file. If you want a permanent copy, paste the screenshot into Paint, Word, or another program, then use File > Save As to save it as an image file.

On Mac, screenshots taken with Command + Shift + 3 or Command + Shift + 4 save directly to your desktop as PNG files. You can move them to a folder, email them, or delete them like any other file. If you use Command + Shift + 5, you can choose where to save before you capture.

Both systems let you take as many screenshots as you want. There is no limit, and taking a screenshot does not affect your laptop's performance or storage until you actually save the file.

Editing and annotating screenshots

After you capture a screenshot, you may want to add arrows, circles, or text to point out specific details. On Windows, the Snipping Tool (which opens when you use Windows + Shift + S) includes basic annotation tools — you can draw, highlight, or type directly on the image before saving.

On Mac, you can click the thumbnail that appears in the corner after taking a screenshot to open the editing interface. You can draw, add text, magnify, or adjust the image before saving. If you do not click the thumbnail, the file saves to your desktop unchanged.

For more advanced editing, both Windows and Mac have free programs available: Paint on Windows, or Preview on Mac (which opens automatically when you double-click a screenshot). These let you crop, resize, adjust colors, or add more complex annotations.

Using screenshots on different devices

Chromebooks use a different method: press Ctrl + Show Windows (the key with four rectangles, usually in the top row). A menu appears with options to capture the full screen or a portion. The screenshot saves to your Downloads folder.

On a tablet or phone, the method varies by device. Most modern tablets have a physical button combination (like Power + Volume Down on iPad) or a gesture (like swiping with three fingers on some Android tablets). The screenshot saves to your Photos or Gallery app.

If you are using a laptop connected to an external monitor, Print Screen captures only the primary display. To capture the secondary monitor, use the partial screenshot method (Windows + Shift + S on Windows, or Command + Shift + 4 on Mac) and select the area on the second screen.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does taking a screenshot notify the other person?

Not on most platforms. On regular websites, email, and documents, nobody knows you took a screenshot. However, some messaging apps like Snapchat do notify the sender if you screenshot their message. Always check the app's privacy policy if you are unsure.

Can I screenshot a video that is playing?

Yes. Press Print Screen or use your partial screenshot method while the video is playing, and you will capture a still image of that moment. Some streaming services may show a black screen instead due to copyright protection, but most videos play normally in screenshots.

What file format is a screenshot saved in?

On Mac, screenshots save as PNG files by default. On Windows, when you paste from the clipboard, the format depends on what program you paste into — Paint saves as PNG or BMP, Word saves as part of the document. You can convert between formats using free tools if needed.

How much storage space do screenshots use?

A typical full-screen screenshot uses between 100 KB and 2 MB depending on your screen resolution and what is on the screen. A folder of 100 screenshots might use 50 MB to 200 MB. This is small enough that storage is rarely a concern unless you take thousands.

Can I take a screenshot of something that is not currently visible on my screen?

Not directly. You can only screenshot what is currently displayed. If you need to capture a long webpage, you can scroll down and take multiple screenshots, or use a browser extension designed for full-page screenshots. Some programs also have a built-in export or save function that works better than screenshots.