How to Take a Screenshot on Your Computer

Difficulty: Easy

Time needed: 1 minute

What you'll need: Your computer keyboard

Step 1: Choose your screenshot method

The method depends on your operating system and what you want to capture:

Full screen: Captures everything on your monitor
Single window: Captures just one application window
Custom area: Lets you select a specific region to capture

Step 2: Windows 10 & 11 screenshots

Full screen: Press PrtScn (Print Screen) key. The screenshot is copied to your clipboard. Open Paint or any app and press Ctrl + V to paste it
Save directly: Press Windows + PrtScn. The screenshot is automatically saved to Pictures > Screenshots folder
Single window: Click the window you want, then press Alt + PrtScn
Custom area: Press Windows + Shift + S. Your screen dims — click and drag to select the area. It's copied to your clipboard

Step 3: Mac screenshots

Full screen: Press Command + Shift + 3. The screenshot saves to your Desktop
Custom area: Press Command + Shift + 4. A crosshair appears — click and drag to select the area
Single window: Press Command + Shift + 4, then press Spacebar. Click the window you want to capture
Screenshot toolbar: Press Command + Shift + 5 for a toolbar with all options including screen recording

Step 4: Find your screenshots

Windows: Check the Pictures > Screenshots folder, or paste from clipboard (Ctrl + V) into any app
Mac: Screenshots save to your Desktop by default. You can change the location in the Command + Shift + 5 toolbar under Options

If that didn't work

Some keyboards don't have a PrtScn key (especially laptops). Try Fn + PrtScn or Fn + Windows + Space. On Mac laptops, make sure you're pressing the correct combination — it's Command (⌘), not Ctrl.

Pro tip

Use the Snipping Tool (Windows) or Screenshot app (Mac, found in Applications > Utilities) for more advanced options like delayed screenshots, annotations, and easy sharing.