Taking a screenshot on Windows without relying on the classic Print Screen (PrtScn) button can feel a bit mysterious at first, especially if your keyboard is missing that key or it’s just not working right. Luckily, Windows has some pretty decent built-in tools like the Snipping Tool and Snip & Sketch that do the job way better anyway. They let you select just a portion of the screen, annotate images, and even handle some more complex captures. If you’ve ever tried to capture a selected window or a scrolling webpage, you’ve probably run into frustrations, but these tools can really save the day. This whole process can be surprisingly straightforward, once you get the hang of which shortcuts or menus to use. So, if your PrtScn key is dead or acting up, here’s how to grab screenshots like a boss with just a few clicks or keyboard shortcuts.
How to Take a Screenshot on Windows Without Print Screen
Use the Snipping Tool or Snip & Sketch
First off, these tools are kind of underrated, but they’re super useful. The Snipping Tool is built into Windows 10 and 11, and Snip & Sketch (or just “Snipping Tool” in newer updates) is basically its modern replacement. If your keyboard’s PrtScn button isn’t working, you don’t need to find a third-party app—Windows has got you covered. The trick is knowing where to find them and the right shortcuts.
Method 1: Launch the Snipping Tool or Snip & Sketch
- In the Start menu, type Snipping Tool or Snip & Sketch. On some setups, the new app is called just “Snipping Tool, ” but it’s the same thing.
- Once you open it, you’ll see options for different types of snips. For quick access, hit Windows Key + Shift + S. That shortcut immediately overlays a snip toolbar at the top, letting you pick rectangular, free-form, window, or full-screen captures.
- This shortcut applies whether you’re capturing just a window or a part of the screen, and it works instantly. On some machines, the overlay might sometimes lag or not register the first time, but it’s usually reliable after a reboot or a quick restart of the app.
Method 2: Capture using the Snipping Tool window
- Open the Snipping Tool. Choose your preferred snip mode—rectangular, freeform, window, or fullscreen—by clicking the menu or dropdown.
- Click New. Your screen will gray out, and you can drag to select the area, or click on the window if you chose that mode.
- Once you’re done, the captured image pops up in the Snipping Tool window, allowing you to annotate, crop, or just hit the save icon (diskette) to store it somewhere.
Method 3: Save your screenshot
After capturing, saving is simple. Just click the save icon (looks like a floppy disk), choose a folder—preferably somewhere easy to find like Pictures or your Desktop—and pick your format (PNG, JPEG, etc.).This way, you don’t have to bother with copying it into other apps later.
Method 4: Use Windows shortcuts for quick captures
One of the best tricks is the Windows Key + Shift + S shortcut. It instantly dims your screen and throws up a small toolbar at the top, letting you draw a rectangle or select a window. The image gets copied to your clipboard immediately, so you can paste it directly into an image editor, document, or chat. This method is kind of weird in that it’s not saving automatically—so you might want to paste into Paint or some other app to save it later.
On some setups, the display overlay or shortcut might fail the first time or be slightly glitchy, but updating Windows or restarting the app helps fix that. Because of course, Windows has to make it harder than necessary sometimes.
Tips for Better Screenshots Without PrtScn
- Use Windows Key + Shift + S for quick snips of any selected area.
- Map a different key to act as Print Screen via third-party software if you need fast full-screen captures (not necessary here, but good to know).
- Set custom save locations or naming conventions—keeping everything in one folder helps avoid losing them.
- For capturing menus or delayed screenshots, the Snipping Tool sorts this by letting you set timers or using the delay feature.
- Regularly update Windows—you never know when newer versions add handy features or fix bugs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I screenshot just the active window if I can’t press PrtScn?
Just hit Alt + PrtScn if it works, but if you don’t have that key, your best bet is to use the Snipping Tool and choose Window Snip. Or, as an alternative, use the shortcut Windows Key + Shift + S and select the window area. The captured snippet will be on the clipboard.
Can I draw or annotate my screenshots?
Definitely. Both Snipping Tool and Snip & Sketch support annotations after you capture a snip. Hit the pen or highlighter icons to add notes or doodles before saving.
Is capturing a scrolling webpage possible with these tools?
Not directly. Windows’ built-in tools don’t support scrolling captures. For that, third-party apps like Winhance or Greenshot are your friends. They can scroll and capture entire pages.
Where do my screenshots go after I save them?
The default is usually the Pictures folder or Desktop unless you pick somewhere else during save. Just remember where you save them, because Windows won’t tell you otherwise.
Do I need any extra software?
Probably not. Windows has all the tools you’ll need for basic and even some advanced capturing. Just sometimes, third-party software does more—like scrolling captures or better editing tools. But for most stuff, the default tools work just fine.
Summary
- Use Windows Key + Shift + S to quickly snip parts of your screen.
- Open the Snipping Tool for more control or annotations.
- Save your images in a dedicated folder.
- Practice the shortcuts, and you’ll get faster over time.
Wrap-up
Honestly, it’s kind of weird how many options Windows gives for capturing screens without the PrtScn key. Once you understand these little tricks, screenshotting becomes way less of a hassle. Whether you’re grabbing a quick snippet or capturing a full webpage, these tools are pretty solid. And if you need features like scrolling capture, there are third-party options out there. Keep this guide in mind, or bookmark it—you never know when it’ll come in handy. Fingers crossed this helps someone avoid the frustration of missing keys or broken shortcuts.