
Taking a screenshot on a PC is a simple task, even for those who are not tech-savvy. There are several ways to do this without using the Paint application. One way is to use the keyboard shortcut PrtSc or Print Screen to take a screenshot of the entire screen. Alternatively, you can use Alt + PrtSc to capture only the window you are currently using. If you are using Windows 10 or 11, you can use the built-in Snipping Tool or Snip & Sketch utility, which offers more features and flexibility. With these tools, you can choose different modes such as Rectangular Snip, Free-Form Snip, Full-Screen Snip, or Window Snip. To access these tools, simply search for Snipping Tool or Snip & Sketch in the Start menu and click New to take a screenshot.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Windows 10 or 11 | Press the Windows logo + PrtScn keys together |
| Windows 10 | Press Alt + Win + PrtScn keys together |
| Windows 11 | Press Fn + Win + PrtScn keys together |
| Windows 10 or 11 | Use the Snipping Tool |
| Windows 10 or 11 | Use the Snip & Sketch utility |
| Windows 10 or 11 | Use third-party tools |
| Windows 10 or 11 | Use the On-Screen Keyboard |
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What You'll Learn

Use keyboard shortcuts like Win + PrtScrn or Alt + PrtScrn
There are several keyboard shortcuts that can be used to take a screenshot on a Windows PC without needing to use the Paint application. One way is to use the keyboard shortcut Windows + PrtScn (or PrtScr/PrtScrn). This will take a screenshot of your entire screen and automatically save it to the Pictures folder on your computer. The image will be saved in a subfolder called Screenshots.
Another keyboard shortcut is Alt + PrtScn, which will take a screenshot of the active window and copy it to your computer's clipboard. You can then paste the screenshot into an image editor or word processor, such as Microsoft Word, to save the image. To paste the screenshot, you can use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + V or right-click and select "Paste".
Additionally, you can use the keyboard shortcut Win + G to access the Game Bar, which allows you to take screenshots while gaming or performing other tasks. From the Game Bar, you can press the Capture button or use the keyboard shortcut Win + Alt + PrtScn to take a full-screen screenshot. The screenshot will be saved in the Videos > Captures folder.
These keyboard shortcuts provide quick and convenient ways to take screenshots on a Windows PC without needing to use the Paint application or any additional software.
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Use the Snipping Tool to screenshot with Win + Shift + S
To take a screenshot on a PC without Paint, you can use the Snipping Tool with the Win + Shift + S shortcut. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to do it:
Step 1: Open the Snipping Tool
Press the Windows logo key + Shift + S on your keyboard. This will open the Snipping Tool, and your screen will appear slightly grey.
Step 2: Choose the Type of Screenshot
Once the Snipping Tool is open, you can choose the type of screenshot you want to take. There are four options:
- Rectangle: Allows you to select a rectangular area to capture.
- Window: Lets you choose a specific window to capture.
- Full-screen: Captures the entire screen immediately.
- Freeform: Enables you to draw a custom shape to select the area you want to capture.
Select the desired mode, and the screen will change to indicate that you are ready to capture your screenshot.
Step 3: Capture Your Screenshot
With your chosen mode selected, simply click and drag your mouse over the area you want to capture. If you chose the "Window" mode, you can select the specific window you want to capture. Once you've made your selection, release the mouse button, and your screenshot will be captured.
Step 4: Edit and Save Your Screenshot (Optional)
After capturing your screenshot, you can open the Snipping Tool application to edit and save your screenshot. Here, you can crop, annotate, or add shapes and emojis to your screenshot. You can also copy text from the snip using the Text Actions button.
Additionally, if you want to capture a video clip instead of a screenshot, you can use the Snipping Tool with the Windows logo key + Shift + R shortcut. This will allow you to select an area of your screen to record.
It's important to note that some older versions of Windows may have a bug that prevents the Win + Shift + S shortcut from working. If you encounter this issue, you can try updating Windows, enabling Clipboard History, and allowing notifications for Snip & Sketch.
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Use the Game Bar with Win + G, then Capture
To take a screenshot on a Windows 10 PC without using Paint, you can use the Game Bar with Win + G, then Capture. Here's how to do it:
First, make sure the Game Bar feature is activated on your PC. Go to Settings > Gaming and turn on the slider for the Game Bar operation in the window. Once the Game Bar is enabled, you can start using it to take screenshots.
To capture a screenshot, simply press the Win + G keys on your keyboard. The Game Bar will appear on your screen. From here, you can select the "Capture" option to take a full-screen screenshot of the active window. The screenshot will be automatically saved in the "Videos > Captures" folder, and you can access it through File Manager.
Using the Game Bar with Win + G, then Capture is a quick and convenient way to take screenshots without needing to use the Print Screen button or the Snipping Tool. The screenshots are saved directly to a specific folder, making them easy to locate and use later.
It's worth noting that this method captures a full-screen screenshot of the active window. If you want to capture a specific region or window, you can explore other methods, such as using keyboard shortcuts like Alt + PrtScn or utilizing the Snipping Tool, which offers various screenshot modes.
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Use third-party tools to take a screenshot
If you're looking for more advanced features than what's built into Windows, several third-party tools offer enhanced functionality for taking screenshots. Here are some options:
Snagit
Snagit offers advanced editing and capture features, including screen recording. It also provides custom keyboard shortcuts and specific high DPI capture options.
Greenshot
Greenshot is an open-source tool with powerful annotation features. It allows you to add arrows, obfuscation, and other annotations to your screenshots.
ShareX
ShareX provides extensive sharing capabilities and workflow automation. It also offers custom keyboard shortcuts and supports various file formats, including PNG.
Lightshot
Lightshot features a simple and intuitive interface with quick editing capabilities.
SharpKeys
SharpKeys is a tool that lets you remap keys on your computer. You can use it to turn a key you don't often use, such as Media Stop, into a dedicated Print Screen key. However, this method can be cumbersome and may interfere with other keyboard shortcuts that use the same key.
Third-party screenshot tools provide users with more control and customization over their screenshots. They often include advanced editing features and allow you to set custom keyboard shortcuts for capturing screenshots.
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Use the on-screen keyboard to access the PrtScrn key
If your physical keyboard is missing the PrtScrn key or it's not working, you can use the on-screen keyboard to access it. Here's how:
First, turn on the on-screen keyboard by pressing the Windows logo key + I to open Settings. Go to Accessibility on Windows 11 or Ease of Access on Windows 10. Navigate to Keyboard and turn on the On-Screen Keyboard toggle.
Once the on-screen keyboard appears, use your mouse to click the PrtScrn key. This will take a screenshot and save it to your clipboard. You can then paste the screenshot into an image editor or document.
If pressing PrtScrn doesn't work, try pressing Fn + PrtScrn simultaneously, as some laptops require this combination due to their keyboard layout and design.
You can also use the Windows key + PrtScrn shortcut to instantly save a full-screen screenshot to your Pictures > Screenshots folder. Alternatively, use Windows + Shift + S to open Snip & Sketch, which allows you to capture specific parts of your screen or make quick edits.
Remember that different laptop models might have slightly different keyboard layouts or additional features, but the PrtScrn method should work across most devices running Windows.
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Frequently asked questions
You can use the built-in Snipping Tool or Snip & Sketch utility, or you can use keyboard shortcuts like Alt + PrtSc, Win + PrtSc, or Fn + Win + PrtSc.
Click the Windows logo in the taskbar, type "Snipping Tool" in the search field, and click Open. Then click New to take your screenshot and the floppy disk icon to save it.
Press Win + Shift + S to open the Snip & Sketch utility, which allows you to capture, edit, and save screenshots without the Print Screen key.
Yes, there are several third-party screenshot tools available for Windows that offer more control and customization, such as SharpKeys, which lets you remap keys on your keyboard to create a dedicated screenshot key.
You can use the On-Screen Keyboard by typing "on-screen keyboard" or "OSK" into the Start menu. Click the PrtScn key on the right side, and your system will respond as if you pressed the physical key.



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