How to Take a Screenshot on a Laptop (Windows & HP Shortcuts)

• November 05 2025, by Innova Retail Team
• 4 min reading time

Need to capture what’s on your screen? Whether you’re saving a presentation slide, an online receipt, or a tech issue for support, knowing how to take a screenshot on your laptop is an essential skill. The good news is it’s easy! This quick guide covers every method for taking screenshots on Windows and HP laptops, including built-in tools and keyboard shortcuts.

Why Take Screenshots?

Screenshots are perfect for:

• Saving information without downloading a file
• Sharing parts of your screen quickly
• Capturing errors or visual bugs for troubleshooting
• Creating tutorials and study notes

Method 1: Use Keyboard Shortcuts (Quickest Way)

Print Screen (PrtScn) Key

This captures the entire screen and copies it to your clipboard.

1. Press PrtScn on your keyboard.
2. Open Paint or Word → Press Ctrl + V to paste the screenshot.
3. Save it as an image file.

Windows + PrtScn (Auto-Save)

This shortcut automatically saves the screenshot to your Pictures folder.

1. Press Windows + PrtScn.
2. The screen may dim briefly — that means the capture worked.
3. Find your image in Pictures → Screenshots.

Alt + PrtScn (Active Window Only)

Need just one app window, not the whole screen?

1. Click the window you want to capture.
2. Press Alt + PrtScn.
3. Paste it into Paint or Word and save.

Method 2: Use the Snipping Tool (Built-in App)

The Snipping Tool lets you capture custom sections of your screen perfect for cropping out just what you need.

1. Press Windows + Shift + S.
2. Your screen will dim, and a crosshair will appear.
3. Select the area you want to capture.
4. The image is copied to your clipboard paste it into Paint or click the pop-up preview to save.

Tip: In Windows 11, the Snipping Tool also supports screen recording.

Method 3: Use the Windows Game Bar (For Screenshots in Games)

1. Press Windows + G to open the Game Bar.
2. Click the Camera icon or press Windows + Alt + PrtScn.
3. Screenshots are saved in Videos → Captures.

Perfect for gamers or content creators using HP Pavilion or OMEN laptops.

Method 4: Use Snip & Sketch (Windows 10 and 11)

If you want quick edits or annotations after capturing:

1. Open Snip & Sketch from the Start menu.
2. Click New → select area → edit → save or copy.
3. You can draw, highlight, and crop instantly.

Method 5: Take Screenshots on HP Laptops

All HP laptops use the same Windows shortcuts, but HP also includes its own tool in some models:

• Use Fn + PrtScn or Windows + Shift + S.
• On HP Spectre or ENVY, try Fn + Windows + PrtScn for auto-save.
• For touchscreens (like HP 2-in-1): press Power + Volume Down buttons simultaneously.

Tip: Keep your laptop’s keyboard and touch sensors clean for better accuracy. See Laptop Accessories for maintenance kits.

Bonus Tip: Use Third-Party Screenshot Tools

If you need advanced features like timers, scrolling screenshots, or quick sharing, try:

• Lightshot
• ShareX
• Greenshot

These tools are lightweight and free to use on Windows laptops.

Troubleshooting Tips

• Nothing happens when you press PrtScn? Try Fn + PrtScn.
• Use the On-Screen Keyboard to test if your PrtScn key works.
• Check that your Photos and OneDrive apps are updated for auto-saving.

When to Upgrade for Better Performance

If you take screenshots often for design, content, or business, faster SSDs and better displays make a real difference. Explore our latest HP laptops optimised for multitasking and screen capture tools:

Student Laptops | Business Laptops | Convertible 2-in-1 | Gaming Laptops

FAQs

Q: How do I take a screenshot on an HP laptop?
Press Windows + PrtScn or use Windows + Shift + S for custom selection.

Q: Where are screenshots saved?
By default, they’re stored in Pictures → Screenshots.

Q: Can I take a screenshot without the keyboard?
Yes! Use Snipping Tool or Snip & Sketch to capture with your mouse or touchscreen.

Q: How to take a scrolling screenshot?
Use ShareX or Snagit, both of which support full-page captures.

Final Tip: Screenshots are a simple yet powerful productivity tool. Once you master these shortcuts, you can work smarter and share faster. If your laptop is lagging during captures, explore the latest HP laptops designed for seamless multitasking at Innova Retail.

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