Taking a screenshot on a laptop is a useful skill whether you want to capture a full desktop, save an image of an error message or share part of your screen during work or study. Known commonly as “Print Screen” or “screenshot,” this function allows you to quickly capture what is currently displayed on your screen and save it for later use. Different laptops and operating systems offer a variety of ways to do this. In this article you will learn the most effective methods to take a screenshot on a laptop and how to save or edit the image afterwards.
Using the Print Screen Key on Windows Laptops
Most Windows laptops come with a dedicated Print Screen key, often labelled as “PrtScn” or “PrtSc.” It is usually found on the top row of the keyboard near the function keys. To take a full-screen screenshot simply press the PrtScn key. This captures the entire screen and copies it to the clipboard.
To view or save the screenshot open an image editing program such as Microsoft Paint and press Ctrl + V to paste the image. From there you can crop, edit or save it as a file on your computer.
Some laptops require you to use the Fn key in combination with PrtScn. In that case press Fn + PrtScn to take the screenshot.
Capturing Just the Active Window
If you only want to capture the window that is currently active rather than the whole screen, press Alt + PrtScn. This copies only the window in focus to the clipboard. As with the full screen method, paste the image into an application like Paint or Word to view and save it.
This is especially useful when you are working with multiple windows and only want to show one specific section.
Saving Screenshots Automatically with Windows
Windows 10 and Windows 11 offer a quicker way to save screenshots directly as files. Press Windows key + PrtScn to capture the entire screen and automatically save it to the “Screenshots” folder inside the “Pictures” library. You do not need to paste it into another program.
When this shortcut is used your screen may briefly dim to confirm that the screenshot has been taken. You can then find the saved image with a file name such as Screenshot (1).png.
Using Snipping Tool or Snip & Sketch
Windows also includes built-in tools for more advanced screenshot options. The classic Snipping Tool and the newer Snip & Sketch app let you capture parts of the screen using your mouse. You can launch these tools by searching for them in the Start menu.
With Snip & Sketch press Windows key + Shift + S to open the snipping interface. The screen will darken slightly and your mouse pointer will turn into a crosshair. You can then drag to select the area you want to capture. The screenshot is copied to the clipboard and a notification will appear allowing you to edit or save it.
These tools are useful when you need to highlight a specific area or annotate the screenshot before sharing.
Taking a Screenshot on a Mac Laptop
If you are using a MacBook, taking a screenshot is just as simple. To capture the entire screen press Command + Shift + 3. This saves the image directly to your desktop as a PNG file.
To capture a selected portion of the screen press Command + Shift + 4. Your cursor will change to a crosshair which you can drag to highlight the area you want to capture. The file is again saved to the desktop.
If you want to capture a specific window press Command + Shift + 4, then press the space bar. Your cursor will turn into a camera. Click on the window you want to capture and the image will be saved automatically.
Using Screenshot Apps and Tools
There are many third-party apps available that offer more features for taking screenshots on laptops. Tools like Greenshot, Lightshot or ShareX allow for instant editing, cloud uploads and customised shortcuts. These are particularly useful if you take screenshots frequently or want to share them directly online.
Mac users can also use the built-in Screenshot app by pressing Command + Shift + 5, which opens a toolbar with various capture options and video recording features.
Where to Find and Edit Your Screenshots
Screenshots saved through Windows shortcuts will usually appear in the “Screenshots” folder found in your Pictures library. If you have used the clipboard method, you need to paste the image into an application such as Paint, Word or an email before saving.
On a Mac screenshots are saved directly to the desktop unless you change the default location in the settings.
Once saved you can open the screenshot in any image editor to crop, label or highlight specific areas. Both Windows and macOS offer built-in editing tools for quick adjustments.
Final Thoughts
Learning how to print screen on a laptop is a useful skill for work, study and everyday tasks. Whether you use the keyboard shortcuts or built-in tools, taking screenshots is a fast and flexible way to capture and share information from your screen. With a few simple steps, you can save what you see and use it in documents, presentations or conversations. Whether you use a Windows laptop or a MacBook, the process is easy to master and available whenever you need it.