The screenshot shortcut techniques can be extremely useful in different work scenarios. With one capture of whatever you seek from the screen, note-making becomes super fast. Also, you can include references in your presentation with screenshots. Just knowing the screenshot short keys will steadfast your research or work.
While the traditional method is to use the Print Screen shortcut, there are other ways as well. In this post, we have spilt the beans for all the methods available under the roof. You can thank us later!
What is a Screenshot & Why It Matters?
A screenshot is a really useful feature in today’s digital world. It lets you take a picture of whatever is on your computer, laptop, or phone screen. Later, you can save it as an image.
You can use screenshots to saveanything you want to remember later. They help with many tasks and can save you a lot of time.
Screenshots are essential for:
- Remote work: Share screen captures for presentations, troubleshooting, or collaboration.
- Content creation: Capture moments for social media or blogs.
- AI workflows: Save visuals for AI analysis or documentation.
- Education: Create study notes or share lecture slides.
How To Take Screenshot Shortcut In Laptop?
To take a screenshot on your laptop, it depends on your system.
On Windows: Press the PrtScn key to copy the screen. Or press Windows + PrtScn to save the picture.
On Mac: Press Shift + Command + 3 to take a picture of the screen.
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Screenshot Shortcut Keys For Taking a Screenshot On Windows!
(On Windows 11/12)
Windows offers multiple built-in shortcuts for flexibility. The Print Screen button comes in very handy in such a case. Here’s where you find it on Windows Keyboard:
Full Screen (Auto-Save):
Shortcut: Windows + PrtSc
It captures the entire screen and saves it as an image in C:\Users\YourUserName\Pictures\Screenshots.
On some laptops, the laptop screenshot shortcut may require pressing Fn + PrtScn together.
Selected Area:
Screen Shortcut: Windows + Shift + S
Screen fades, and a crosshair appears. Drag to select an area, then release. The image is copied to the clipboard. Paste into apps like Paint or Word, or click the notification to edit in Snipping Tool.
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Active Window:
Shortcut: Alt + PrtSc
Captures only the active window to the clipboard. Paste into an editor like Paint to save or edit.
Game Bar Capture:
Screen Shortcut: Windows + G
It opens the Game Bar. Click the camera icon to capture. Saves to C:\Users\YourUserName\Videos\Captures.
This one is ideal for gaming or video-related screenshots.
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5. Capture an Active Window With Screenshot Shortcut
To capture only the active window:
- Shortcut: Press Alt + PrtScn.
It basically captures the active window to the clipboard. You cant hen paste it into an editor to save it.
How To Take Screenshots On Macbook?
To know how to take screenshot in laptop particularly in a Macbook, follow the steps below:
| Type | Shortcut | How It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Full Screen | Shift + Command + 3 | Takes a picture of the whole screen and saves it on desktop. |
| Part of Screen | Shift + Command + 4 | Shows a cross to pick an area. Drag to select and let go to take a picture. |
| One Window | Shift + Command + 4, then Space | Changes cursor to camera. Click a window to take its picture. |
| Screenshot Toolbar | Shift + Command + 5 | Opens tools to take pictures or record the screen. |
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Using Built-In Screenshot Shortcut Tools
Both Windows and macOS have easy tools to capture and edit screenshots without extra software!
| Tool | Platform | How to Use | Features | Tip |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Snipping Tool | Windows 10/11 | Windows + Shift + S | Capture & edit screenshots | Use Delay for timed shots |
| Snip & Sketch | Windows 11 | Windows + Shift + S | Edit with touch, auto save | Click notification to edit |
| Screenshot App | macOS | Shift + Command + 5 | Capture, record, timers | Hold Control to copy |
Take a Screenshot Using Snipping Tool
Here are a few steps that you need to follow.
- To take a screenshot of the screen, click the Windows button on the taskbar.
- Now, type in the search field “Snipping Tool.”
- Click on the first app option that comes up in the results to open it.
- You will see various options in the app when it opens on your Windows PC. It includes mode, options, and delay. Choose the appropriate option.
- Press the New option. Now, the screen will appear with the white overlay, which showcases the uncaptured area.
- The screenshot will appear in the Snipping Tool after you capture one.
- Click on the File tab and choose the “Save As” option. It will let you take a screenshot to your preferred location on the hard drive.
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Take a Screenshot using the Snip and Sketch Tool.
You need to follow the steps below to take a screenshot using the Snip and Sketch tool.
- Press Win + Shift + S keyboard shortcut, or you can click the Start menu from the taskbar -> type Snip and Sketch -> click the option.
- Once the tool opens, you will see many different options as icons, such as Freeform, Rectangle, Window Snip, and Full-screen Snip.
- After the screenshot is captured, the image will be saved in the clipboard. You can view it by clicking on it from the notification pop-up on your screen. Click on it for markup and file sharing.
- Now, go to the notification bar at the right part of the screen to access the Snip and Sketch tool.
- You can save the file in the Paint app and cut the screen size and later save the file.
A Quick Recap
| Action | Windows Shortcut | Mac Shortcut |
|---|---|---|
| Full Screen | Windows + PrtScn | Shift + Command + 3 |
| Selected Area | Windows + Shift + S | Shift + Command + 4 |
| Active Window | Alt + PrtScn | Shift + Command + 4 + Space |
| Screenshot Toolbar | N/A | Shift + Command + 5 |
Troubleshooting Screenshot Problems
Now, we understand that there can be issues when you are trying to capture a screenshot. In this section, we have analysed common problems while taking a screenshot and how to solve them. Let’s check it out:
Shortcuts Not Working:
- Ensure F-Lock is off or try Fn + PrtSc on some laptops.
- Update keyboard drivers or test with an external keyboard.
Screenshots Not Saving:
- Verify the Screenshots folder exists (C:\Users\YourUserName\Pictures\Screenshots).
- Check disk space and save manually to Paint if needed.
Blurry Screenshots:
- Set display scaling to 100 per cent in Windows Settings > System > Display.
- On macOS, use Preview’s “Optimise for Retina” option.
Tips for Organising and Managing Screenshots
Now that you know how to take a screenshot on a laptop, here’s how to organise them:
- The best idea is to rename your screenshots right after you take them. This makes it easy to find later.
- You can create folders like ‘work’, ‘personal’, or any other name you like. Find your screenshots in Pictures > Screenshots.
- You can also sync your screenshots folder with Google Drive or another cloud service. This way, you can access them from any device.
- If you use a Mac, you can use the Tags feature in Finder to label your screenshots.
- Don’t forget to delete old screenshots every week or month to keep your files neat and organised.
Best Third Party Screenshot Tools For Advanced Features
Along with the tips mentioned, you can also use third-party tools. They are great and can give you advanced features. Let’s check out the options:
| Tool | Platform | Key Features | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lightshot | Windows, macOS | Quick screenshots, annotations, cloud sharing, customizable hotkey (PrtSc) | Casual users needing fast sharing |
| Snagit | Windows, macOS | Scrolling screenshots, video recording, advanced editing tools | Content creators and professionals |
| ShareX | Windows | Free, open-source, scrolling captures, GIFs, uploads to Imgur and more | Power users with custom workflows |
| CleanShot X | macOS | Scrolling captures, annotations, seamless cloud sharing | macOS users looking for a polished experience |
Conclusion: Screenshot Shortcut In Laptop
The screenshot shortcuts in laptop is not so complicated to find out. We have dedicated buttons as well. You can use different methods like built-in tools, quick shortcuts with command button and so on. Once you get in the practice, you can quickly take screenshots, maintaining your workflow. So, now when you see something important while browsing, just screenshot it!
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Frequently Asked Questions!
How to take a screenshot in PC?
You can press PrtScn, Alt + PrtScn, or Windows + Shift + S to take different types of screenshots.
What is the shortcut key for screenshot?
Windows + PrtScn saves a full-screen screenshot, while Alt + PrtScn captures the active window.
How to screenshot Ctrl Alt?
There is no default screenshot shortcut using Ctrl + Alt; use Alt + PrtScn or Windows + Shift + S instead.
How can I screenshot on my keyboard?
Use keys like PrtScn, Alt + PrtScn, or Windows + Shift + S to take screenshots directly from your keyboard.
How do I take a screenshot of the entire screen on Windows?
Press PrtScn to copy or Windows + PrtScn to save it automatically in the Pictures/Screenshots folder.
How can I capture only the active window?
Press Alt + PrtScn to copy just the active window to the clipboard.
How do I take a custom screenshot on Windows 10 or 11?
Use Windows + Shift + S to open the Snipping Tool and select the area you want to capture.
Can I use the Snipping Tool without a shortcut?
Yes, open the Start Menu and search for “Snipping Tool” to launch it manually.
How do I take a screenshot using the Game Bar on Windows?
Press Windows + G to open the Game Bar and take screenshots from there.
How can I take a screenshot on a Surface device?
Press Windows button + Volume Down simultaneously to capture the full screen.
What if my keyboard doesn’t have a Print Screen key?
Use Fn + Windows + Spacebar as an alternative shortcut.
What is the easiest screenshot tool?
The easiest built-in tools are Snipping Tool or Snip & Sketch, which allow you to capture and edit screenshots easily.
What is F12 screenshot?
The F12 function button on the keyboard is usually used for taking screenshots on a gaming platform called Steam. Otherwise, it is only to open developer tools in browsers, not for screenshots, unless customised through specific software.
How to scroll a screenshot in PC?
To capture a scrolling screenshot, you can use tools like Snagit or PicPick. These tools can capture long pages or documents.
If you have any other questions, do let us know in the comments below!
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