The screenshot shortcut key on Windows 10 and Windows 11 is Win + Shift + S: the screen dims, you drag a box around what you need, and the picture goes to the clipboard ready to paste. To save the whole screen as a file straight away, press Win + PrtSc instead.
Laptops often hide Print Screen behind the Fn key, and a Mac uses different keys altogether, so this guide lists every combination with the place each picture ends up. If you searched for "laptop me screenshot kaise le shortcut key", start with the first combination in the box above.
Quick facts
Snip any area
Win + Shift + SWhole screen to a file
Win + PrtScOne window only
Alt + PrtScSaved files go to
Pictures, then ScreenshotsMac
Command + Shift + 3 or Command + Shift + 4Laptop tip
Add Fn if PrtSc shares a key
Every screenshot shortcut key in one table
| What you want | Keys | Where it goes |
|---|---|---|
| Drag a box, a window or free shape | Win + Shift + S | Clipboard, plus a preview you can save |
| Whole screen, saved as a file | Win + PrtSc | Pictures, then Screenshots folder |
| Whole screen, not saved | PrtSc | Clipboard only (newer Windows 11 may open Snipping Tool) |
| Only the active window | Alt + PrtSc | Clipboard |
| Active window, saved | Win + Alt + PrtSc | Videos, then Captures |
The screen goes slightly darker for a moment when a file is saved. If nothing dims and no file appears, read the laptop section below.
How to take a screenshot with Win + Shift + S
- Open the page, chat or error message you want to capture.
- Press Win + Shift + S. A small toolbar appears at the top of the screen.
- Pick rectangle, window, full screen or free form from the toolbar.
- Drag over the area. When you let go, the picture is copied.
- Paste it into a chat, an email or a document with Ctrl + V, or click the preview that pops up to crop, mark and save it.
This is the most useful screenshot shortcut for office work because you capture only the part that matters. More options for this tool are on the Snipping Tool shortcut page.
Screenshot shortcut key in laptop keyboards
Many laptops print PrtSc in a second colour on the same key as Insert, Home or F10. On those keyboards the screen shot shortcut key needs Fn as well: try Fn + PrtSc for the clipboard and Fn + Win + PrtSc to save a file. If the Fn key light is on (Fn lock), the plain key may work without Fn.
Some small laptops have no Print Screen key at all. That is not a problem: Win + Shift + S works on every Windows 10 and Windows 11 laptop because it uses letter keys only. This also answers the common search for a shortcut key for screenshot in laptop models with compact keyboards.
Where do screenshots go after you take them
- Win + PrtSc: open File Explorer, then Pictures, then the Screenshots folder. Files are named with a running number.
- PrtSc and Alt + PrtSc: nothing is saved. Paste the picture into a document, chat or image editor first.
- Win + Shift + S: copied, and Windows 11 also keeps a copy in the Snipping Tool folder inside Pictures when automatic saving is on.
- Win + Alt + PrtSc: Videos, then Captures, because this one comes from the Game Bar.
Windows 10 and Windows 11 differences
The screenshot shortcut key windows 10 and the screenshot shortcut key windows 11 are almost the same. The main change is the PrtSc key on newer Windows 11 updates: by default it opens the snipping toolbar instead of copying the whole screen. You can switch this in Settings, then Accessibility, then Keyboard, under the option that uses the Print screen key to open screen capture.
Windows 10 shows a small notification after a snip, and Windows 11 shows a preview window. Both let you save the picture as a PNG file.
When the screenshot keys do nothing
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| PrtSc does nothing on a laptop | Hold Fn too, or turn Fn lock off |
| No file in the Screenshots folder | You used plain PrtSc; use Win + PrtSc to save |
| Win + Shift + S does not open | Restart the Snipping Tool app, or update Windows |
| Black screenshot of a video | Some video players block capture; pause and try a different player |
| Another app grabs PrtSc | Close cloud storage or screen tools that take over the key |
Screenshot on a Mac
Mac keyboards have no Print Screen key. Use Command + Shift + 3 for the whole screen, Command + Shift + 4 to drag an area, and Command + Shift + 5 for a toolbar with timer and recording options. Mac screenshots are saved to the desktop by default. The full list is on the Mac screenshot shortcut page.
Frequently asked questions
What is the shortcut for screenshot in Windows 10 and 11?
Press Win + Shift + S to select an area, or Win + PrtSc to save the full screen as a file. Both work on Windows 10 and Windows 11.
Why can't I find my screenshot?
Plain PrtSc only copies the picture. Paste it somewhere, or use Win + PrtSc, which saves it in Pictures, then Screenshots.
How do I take a screenshot on a laptop without a PrtSc key?
Use Win + Shift + S. It needs no Print Screen key, so it works on every laptop running Windows 10 or 11.
How do I screenshot only one window?
Click the window, then press Alt + PrtSc. Only that window is copied, without the taskbar or desktop.
Can I record the screen with a shortcut too?
Yes. See the screen recording shortcut key guide for Win + Alt + R and the Snipping Tool video option.