How can I take a screenshot?

Opening the Snipping Tool

There are three ways to open the screenshot capture tool on Windows:

1. Select the Start button, type snipping tool, then select Snipping Tool from the results.
2. Press Windows logo key + Shift + S to open the capture interface directly.
3. Press Print Screen (PrtSc) to capture your entire screen to the clipboard.

Taking Your Screenshot

Once the Snipping Tool is open, you'll see options at the top of the screen. Choose how you want to capture:

• Rectangular snip — Click and drag to select a rectangular area
• Freeform snip — Draw any shape around the area you want to capture
• Window snip — Click on a specific window to capture just that window
• Full-screen snip — Capture everything visible on your screen

What Happens After You Capture

When you take a screenshot using Windows + Shift + S or the Snipping Tool, the image is copied to your clipboard. You'll see a notification that the screenshot was captured. You can then paste it (Ctrl + V) into:

• An email message
• A document or text file
• An image editor (Paint, Photoshop, etc.)
• Any application that accepts images

Finding Your Screenshots

In Windows 10 and 11, screenshots are also automatically saved to the Screenshots folder within your Pictures folder (Pictures > Screenshots). If you used the Snipping Tool app directly, you may be prompted to save the file manually — choose a location and file name that works for you.

Troubleshooting

If the screenshot shortcuts don't work:

• Check that another application isn't using those key combinations
• Try opening the Snipping Tool from the Start menu instead
• Restart your computer if keyboard shortcuts aren't responding