How to Take a Screenshot
Capture your whole screen, part of it, or one window, on Windows or Mac. Learn the one shortcut you'll use most, then the rest for when you need them.
One shortcut to remember
Press Win Shift S, drag over what you want, and it's copied. Paste it anywhere with Ctrl V. Click the pop-up that appears to edit or save it.
Press ⌘ Shift 4, drag over what you want, and let go. The picture is saved to your desktop. Add Control to copy it instead of saving.
WAYSEvery way to take a screenshot
Pick the one that fits what you need.
Press Win PrtScn. The screen dims for a moment and the picture is saved in Pictures › Screenshots. On some laptops the key is labelled PrtSc or needs Fn too.
Press ⌘ Shift 3. The picture is saved to your desktop.
Press Win Shift S, then drag a box. Use the toolbar at the top to choose rectangle, freeform, window or full screen. The capture is copied; click the notification to save it.
Press ⌘ Shift 4 and drag a box. Hold Space while dragging to move the box, or press Esc to cancel.
Click the window, then press Alt PrtScn. It's copied, ready to paste. Or use Win Shift S and pick Window mode.
Press ⌘ Shift 4, then tap Space. The pointer turns into a camera; click the window. Hold Option while clicking to leave out the shadow.
Open the Snipping Tool app from the Start menu. Choose a delay (3, 5 or 10 seconds) to capture menus that close when you click away, or switch to the video camera icon to record the screen.
Press ⌘ Shift 5. The toolbar lets you choose screenshot or recording, set a timer under Options, and change where captures are saved.
Screenshots from Win PrtScn go to Pictures › Screenshots. In the Snipping Tool, open Settings (the ··· menu) to turn automatic saving on or off and choose the folder.
Press ⌘ Shift 5, click Options, and pick a location under Save to, such as Documents or Clipboard.
- Some keyboards need Fn with PrtScn. In Settings › Accessibility › Keyboard, you can make the Print Screen key open the Snipping Tool.
- Check System Settings › Keyboard › Keyboard Shortcuts › Screenshots: the shortcuts may be turned off or changed.
- Some apps, like streaming services, block screenshots on purpose.
FAQCommon questions
Where do my screenshots go?
Windows: Pictures › Screenshots for full-screen shots; shortcut captures go to the clipboard (and the Snipping Tool's folder if auto-save is on). Mac: the desktop, unless you changed it with ⌘ Shift 5.
How do I screenshot a whole web page, not just what's visible?
In Microsoft Edge, press Ctrl Shift S and choose Capture full page. In Firefox, right-click the page and choose Take Screenshot, then Save full page. Chrome and Safari need an extension or the developer tools.
How do I take a screenshot on my phone?
iPhone: press the side button and volume up together. Android: press power and volume down together.
Why is my screenshot black?
Video apps and some secure apps block captures to protect copyrighted or private content. It's on purpose and can't be bypassed.