A screenshot is the quickest way to show someone what’s on your screen: an error message for tech support, a receipt, a funny message, or instructions for a relative. Here are the easiest ways to take one, and where to find it afterward.
Windows
The best all-rounder: Win + Shift + S
Press Windows key + Shift + S. The screen dims and a small toolbar appears at the top. Choose:
- Rectangle: drag to select an area.
- Window: click a window to capture just that.
- Full screen: capture everything.
- Freeform: draw any shape.
The screenshot is copied to your clipboard, so you can paste it straight into an email, chat or document with Ctrl + V. Click the notification that pops up to edit, annotate or save it. Recent versions of Windows also save a copy automatically in Pictures → Screenshots.
Other Windows shortcuts
| Shortcut | What it does |
|---|---|
| PrtScn | Copies the whole screen (on newer Windows 11 PCs, it opens the Snipping Tool instead) |
| Win + PrtScn | Saves the whole screen to Pictures → Screenshots |
| Alt + PrtScn | Copies just the active window |
On some laptops you need to hold Fn as well to use the PrtScn key.
The Snipping Tool app
Search for Snipping Tool in the Start menu to use extras such as a delay timer, handy for capturing menus that close when you press a key, and screen recording.
Mac
| Shortcut | What it does |
|---|---|
| Cmd + Shift + 3 | Captures the whole screen |
| Cmd + Shift + 4 | Drag to capture an area |
| Cmd + Shift + 4, then Space | Click a window to capture just that window |
| Cmd + Shift + 5 | Opens the screenshot toolbar, with all options plus screen recording |
Screenshots are saved to your Desktop by default. A small preview appears in the corner of the screen. Click it to crop or annotate, or let it disappear to save it.
Tip: add Control to any of these shortcuts (for example, Cmd + Control + Shift + 4) to copy the screenshot to the clipboard instead of saving a file.
To change where screenshots are saved, press Cmd + Shift + 5 and click Options.
Recording your screen (video)
- Windows: open the Snipping Tool, click the video camera icon, then New, and select the area to record.
- Mac: press Cmd + Shift + 5 and choose Record Entire Screen or Record Selected Portion.
Tips for useful screenshots
- Capture only what’s needed. A cropped screenshot is easier to read than a whole screen.
- Include the full error message when asking for tech help, plus anything that shows what you were doing.
- Annotate it. Use the pen or arrow tools to point at the important part.
- Check for private information before sharing: email addresses, account numbers, open tabs, notifications and other people’s messages. Crop or cover them first.
Can’t find your screenshot?
- Windows: check Pictures → Screenshots, or just try pasting with Ctrl + V, since it may only be on the clipboard. Win + V shows your clipboard history if you’ve turned it on.
- Mac: check the Desktop, or press Cmd + Shift + 5 → Options to see where they’re being saved.
The bottom line
Remember two shortcuts and you’re covered: Win + Shift + S on Windows and Cmd + Shift + 4 on a Mac. Paste the result wherever you need it, and check for private details before you send it.
