Screenshots on Windows
Short answer: On any Windows 10 or Windows 11 PC, press Windows + Shift + S to capture a region, Windows + Print Screen to save the whole screen as a PNG, or Alt + Print Screen to copy the active window. Dedicated Windows screenshot software adds scrolling capture, annotation and PDF export.
This hub is the entry point to everything on ScreenshotHub. It covers the Windows screenshot methods built into the operating system, then points to the software, comparisons and tutorials that go further.
Last verified: 2026-08-01
The three ways to take a screenshot on Windows
- 1Press Windows + Shift + SThe Windows screen dims and a small capture bar appears at the top of the display.
- 2Choose a capture modeRectangular snip, free-form snip, window snip or full-screen snip. Window snip is the cleanest way to capture a single application.
- 3Select the areaDrag across the region, or click the window you want. The capture is copied to the clipboard immediately.
- 4Open the editorClick the notification in the corner to open Snipping Tool, where you can crop, annotate and undo.
- 5Save the filePress Ctrl + S and choose PNG for interface screenshots or JPG when file size matters.
Windows screenshot keyboard shortcuts
These shortcuts are part of Windows itself and work in File Explorer, Chrome and any desktop application.
| Shortcut | What it does | Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Windows + Shift + S | Open the snipping overlay: rectangular, free-form, window or full-screen snip. Result goes to the clipboard. | Windows 10 & 11 |
| Print Screen | Copy the whole screen to the clipboard. On Windows 11 this can be set to open the snipping overlay instead. | Windows 10 & 11 |
| Alt + Print Screen | Copy only the active window to the clipboard. | Windows 10 & 11 |
| Windows + Print Screen | Save the whole screen straight to Pictures\Screenshots as a PNG file. | Windows 10 & 11 |
| Windows + Alt + Print Screen | Save the active window as a PNG through Xbox Game Bar, into Videos\Captures. | Windows 10 & 11 |
| Windows + G | Open Xbox Game Bar, which includes a capture widget for stills and screen recording. | Windows 10 & 11 |
| Fn + Print Screen | On many Windows laptops the Print Screen key is shared with another function and needs the Fn key. | Windows laptops |
Where Windows saves your screenshots
- Windows + Print Screen saves PNG files to This PC \ Pictures \ Screenshots.
- Windows + Alt + Print Screen saves to This PC \ Videos \ Captures via Xbox Game Bar.
- Windows + Shift + S copies to the clipboard first; the file only exists once you save it from the Snipping Tool editor.
- Print Screen and Alt + Print Screen copy to the clipboard only — paste into an editor or document with Ctrl + V.
You can move the Screenshots folder: right-click it, open Properties, then the Location tab, and choose a new path.
When you need third-party Windows screenshot software
- Scrolling capture: the Snipping Tool cannot capture content below the fold. ShareX, PicPick, Snagit and FastStone Capture can.
- Serious annotation: numbered steps, callouts and blur belong to tools such as Snagit, Greenshot and Screenpresso.
- PDF export: FastStone Capture, Screenpresso and Snagit write screenshot documents directly.
- Team sharing: Gyazo, Zight, Droplr and Monosnap turn a capture into a link.
- Automation: ShareX runs a full after-capture pipeline from a single hotkey.
Recommended Windows software
Snipping Tool
Microsoft
Microsoft's built-in Windows screenshot tool for rectangular, window, free-form and full-screen snips, opened with Windows + Shift + S.
- Screenshot
- Region capture
- Window capture
- Full screen capture
- Annotation
ShareX
ShareX Team
Free, open-source Windows screenshot and screen capture software with scrolling capture, OCR, screen recording and scriptable after-capture workflows.
- Screenshot
- Region capture
- Window capture
- Full screen capture
- Scrolling capture
Greenshot
Greenshot
A small, fast open-source screenshot tool for Windows with region and window capture, a simple annotation editor and direct export to file, printer or Office.
- Screenshot
- Region capture
- Window capture
- Full screen capture
- Annotation
Snagit
TechSmith
Commercial Windows screenshot and screen capture software with scrolling capture, a polished annotation editor, templates, OCR and screen recording.
- Screenshot
- Region capture
- Window capture
- Full screen capture
- Scrolling capture
PicPick
NGWIN
Windows screenshot software combining region, window and scrolling capture with an image editor, colour picker, ruler, protractor and whiteboard.
- Screenshot
- Region capture
- Window capture
- Full screen capture
- Scrolling capture
Screenpresso
Learnpulse
Windows screen capture software with scrolling capture, a workspace for organising captures, annotation and export of screenshot documents to PDF or Word.
- Screenshot
- Region capture
- Window capture
- Scrolling capture
- Annotation
Frequently asked questions
- What is the fastest way to screenshot on Windows?
- Windows + Shift + S. It works from any application on Windows 10 and Windows 11 and copies the snip straight to the clipboard.
- What is the difference between a screenshot and screen capture?
- In everyday Windows use they mean the same still image. 'Screen capture' is also used more broadly to include video recording of the screen.