How To Take Screenshot On PC By Keyboard?

Take a Screenshot on PC by Keyboard: Your Ultimate Guide

Whether you're capturing a memorable moment in a game, saving an important snippet from a website, or troubleshooting a pesky error, knowing how to take a screenshot on your PC quickly and efficiently is a must-have skill. While many people instinctively reach for the “Print Screen” key, the keyboard actually offers a variety of shortcuts and tricks that make screenshotting faster, easier, and more versatile.

In this guide, we'll explore all the key combinations you can use to take screenshots on a Windows PC by keyboard alone—no additional software needed. Plus, you’ll learn where your screenshots get saved, how to tweak your settings for a better experience, and some handy tips to boost your productivity. Let’s dive in!

Understanding the Basic Screenshot Keyboard Shortcuts

The keyboard on your PC holds several powerful shortcuts to capture your screen instantly. Here are the foundational keys you should know:

1. The Classic Print Screen (PrtScn) Key

• What it does: Captures the entire screen and copies it to your clipboard.
• How to use it: Simply press the PrtScn key (sometimes labeled Print Screen or PrtSc). Nothing will appear to happen, but your screen is copied.
• Next step: Open an image editor like Paint, Word, or an email draft, and press Ctrl + V to paste the screenshot. From there, you can save or edit it.

This method is quick but requires a few extra steps to save the image. It’s perfect if you want to quickly copy something and paste it elsewhere.

2. Alt + Print Screen: Capture the Active Window Only

• What it does: Captures only the currently active window rather than the entire screen.
• How to use it: Click on the window you want to capture to make sure it’s active, then press Alt + PrtScn.
• Next step: Paste the screenshot from your clipboard into an app using Ctrl + V.

This shortcut saves time by avoiding the need to crop screenshots later, especially useful for focused tasks.

3. Windows Key + Print Screen: Save Full Screenshot Automatically

• What it does: Takes a screenshot of the entire screen and saves it directly as a PNG file.
• How to use it: Press Windows Key + PrtScn. Your screen will briefly dim to confirm the shot.
• Where to find the image: Open File Explorer and navigate to Pictures > Screenshots. The screenshot will be saved automatically with a numbered filename.

This shortcut is perfect if you want a quick, hassle-free way to capture and save your entire screen without any additional steps.

Advanced Keyboard Shortcuts for More Control

Windows 10 and 11 offer newer, more flexible keyboard shortcuts for screenshots, perfect for users who want more control without opening extra tools.

4. Windows Key + Shift + S: Use Snip & Sketch for Custom Screenshots

• What it does: Opens the Snip & Sketch tool’s overlay, letting you select any portion of your screen to capture.
• How to use it: Press Windows Key + Shift + S. Your screen dims, and a small toolbar appears at the top.
• Choose your snip type: Rectangle, freeform, window, or full screen.
• Where the image goes: The selected screenshot is copied to your clipboard and shows a notification. Click the notification to open Snip & Sketch for annotation or saving.

This method is ideal for capturing precise areas and editing on the fly—perfect for detailed work or sharing only what matters.

5. Ctrl + Print Screen: Some Apps Offer This Shortcut

In some specialized applications, pressing Ctrl + PrtScn can trigger custom screenshot actions, but this isn’t a universal Windows shortcut. Check your software’s documentation for details.

Finding and Managing Your Screenshots

Knowing how to take a screenshot is just the first step. Managing where your screenshots go and organizing them efficiently will save you time and frustration later.

Default Screenshot Location

When you use Windows Key + PrtScn, Windows automatically saves screenshots in the following folder:

• C:\Users\[YourUserName]\Pictures\Screenshots

Access this folder anytime via File Explorer or by clicking “Pictures” in your Quick Access menu.

How to Change Screenshot Save Location

If you want your screenshots saved somewhere else (for example, a cloud folder or an external drive), you can redirect the Screenshots folder:

1. Navigate to the Pictures\Screenshots folder.
2. Right-click and select Properties.
3. Go to the Location tab.
4. Click Move and choose your preferred folder.
5. Confirm and apply changes.

From now on, all your Windows screenshots will save to this new location.

Using Clipboard History for Multiple Screenshots

Windows 10 and 11 include a handy clipboard history feature that stores multiple items, including screenshots.

• Press Windows Key + V to open the clipboard history panel.
• Access and paste previous screenshots without recapturing.
• Enable this feature in Settings > System > Clipboard if it’s not active.

This feature can be a real timesaver for comparing or reusing multiple screenshots.

Tips and Tricks for Taking Better Screenshots by Keyboard

Here are some practical tips to make your screenshot game stronger and more efficient:

• Use Keyboard Shortcuts to Save Time: Memorize your most-used shortcuts like Windows + PrtScn to avoid fumbling with extra steps.
• Annotate Quickly: Use Snip & Sketch (Windows + Shift + S) for on-the-spot editing and marking important areas.
• Organize Your Screenshots: Regularly clean your Screenshots folder or move images to categorized folders to avoid clutter.
• Combine Keyboard and Apps: Use keyboard shortcuts with apps like Paint, OneNote, or Photoshop to edit and enhance screenshots.
• Consider Keyboard Layouts: Some keyboards might have the Print Screen key combined or labeled differently. Check your manual if shortcuts don’t work.

Common Issues and How to Fix Them

If you run into trouble taking screenshots with your keyboard, here are a few quick troubleshooting tips:

• Print Screen Key Not Working: Try pressing the Fn key together with PrtScn, especially on laptops.
• Screenshots Not Saving: Verify you have write permissions for the Screenshots folder or check if another app is interfering.
• Clipboard Is Empty After Screenshot: Make sure you paste into an app that accepts images, like Paint or Word.
• Windows Key + PrtScn Not Working: Check if your keyboard drivers are updated or if Windows is running in a restricted mode.

Mastering Screenshots on Your PC Keyboard

Mastering the keyboard shortcuts to take screenshots on your PC can dramatically boost your productivity and streamline your digital workflow. From capturing the entire screen with a single press to snipping precise sections with handy editing tools, there’s a shortcut for every need. Remember, practice makes perfect—try out these shortcuts and find the ones that fit your style best.

What’s your go-to screenshot shortcut on your PC? Have you discovered any clever tricks or tools that make capturing your screen easier? Share your thoughts or questions in the comments below—I’d love to hear your experiences and help with any screenshot challenges!