Windows offers several built-in methods to capture screenshots, ranging from full-screen grabs to selective snips. These work on Windows 10 and 11 (and later versions as of 2025). I’ll outline the most common and efficient ways below. Screenshots are typically saved as PNG files in the Pictures > Screenshots folder unless otherwise noted.
1. Full Screen Screenshot (Quickest for the Entire Screen)
- Press PrtScn (Print Screen) key on your keyboard. This copies the screenshot to your clipboard.
- Open an app like Paint, Word, or Photos, then press Ctrl + V to paste and save it.
- Pro tip: To auto-save without pasting, press Windows key + PrtScn. Your screen will flash, and the file saves directly to the Screenshots folder.
2. Active Window Only
- Click the window you want to capture.
- Press Alt + PrtScn. This copies just that window to your clipboard.
- Paste it (Ctrl + V) into your preferred app to edit or save.
3. Selective Area or Shape (Using Snipping Tool – Recommended for Precision)
- Press Windows key + Shift + S. Your screen dims, and a small toolbar appears at the top.
- Choose a mode:
- Rectangular Snip: Drag to select a box.
- Freeform Snip: Draw around an irregular shape.
- Window Snip: Click a specific window.
- Full-screen Snip: Capture everything.
- The snip copies to your clipboard and opens in the Snipping Tool for editing (e.g., annotate with a pen or highlighter). Click the save icon to store it.
- Bonus: The Snipping Tool app (search for it in the Start menu) lets you delay captures or record short videos of your screen.
4. For Surface Devices (Touchscreen Tablets)
- Press and hold the Windows logo button (on the side or bottom) + Volume Down button simultaneously. The screen flashes, and it auto-saves to the Screenshots folder.
Additional Tips
- Where to Find Screenshots: Open File Explorer and navigate to This PC > Pictures > Screenshots.
- Editing: Use the built-in Paint app (free) or the Snipping Tool’s markup tools for quick annotations.
- If PrtScn Doesn’t Work: On some laptops, you may need to press Fn + PrtScn due to function key requirements.
- For advanced needs like scrolling screenshots (e.g., long web pages), use Microsoft Edge’s built-in “Web Capture” tool: Right-click the page > Web Capture > Capture full page.
These methods are straightforward and don’t require extra software. If you’re on an older Windows version or encounter issues, check your keyboard layout or update Windows via Settings > Update & Security.
Scrolling Screenshots on Windows
A scrolling screenshot (also called long screenshot, full-page capture, or scrolling capture) stitches multiple normal screenshots together as you scroll, producing one tall image that contains everything visible during the scroll.
Windows does not have a native one-click scrolling screenshot tool in the core OS (like Android’s “Capture more” or iOS “Full Page”), but several built-in and free methods achieve the same result without third-party software.
Below are detailed, step-by-step guides for the best native or Microsoft-provided methods as of Windows 11 (build 24H2+, October 2025).
Method 1: Microsoft Edge – Web Capture (Easiest for Web Pages)
When to use:
- You’re on a web page in Microsoft Edge.
- You want a perfect, high-quality full-page PNG.
Step-by-Step:
- Open the page in Microsoft Edge (latest version).
- Right-click anywhere on the page → Web capture (or press Ctrl + Shift + S)
- Click “Capture full page” (top-right of the overlay).
- Edge automatically:
- Scrolls the page
- Takes multiple shots
- Stitches them into one tall image
- A preview opens in the Web Capture editor:
- Add annotations (pen, highlighter)
- Copy to clipboard
- Save as PNG (default) or copy
- Saved location: Choose folder → usually Downloads or Pictures.
Pro tip: Works on any website, including single-page apps (React, etc.). Limitation: Only works inside Edge.
Method 2: Snipping Tool (Windows 11 24H2+) – Screen Recording + Export Frame
When to use:
- You want any scrollable window (File Explorer, PDF, app, etc.)
- You’re okay with manual stitching or exporting a video frame
Step-by-Step (Record → Extract Long Image):
- Open Snipping Tool (Win + Shift + S or search).
- Click Record → + New.
- Select “Record full screen” or a window.
- Scroll slowly through the content while recording.
- Click Stop.
- In the preview:
- Pause at any frame
- Click “Save as image” → exports current frame only
- (No auto-stitch)
Not true scrolling screenshot — but useful for short scrolls.
Better alternative below (PowerToys).
Method 3: PowerToys – Image Resizer + Auto-Stitch (FREE, OFFICIAL)
When to use:
- Any app/window (Notepad, Excel, chat apps, etc.)
- You want true scrolling screenshot with zero third-party risk
Prerequisites:
- Install Microsoft PowerToys (free, from Microsoft Store or GitHub)
Step-by-Step (Using PowerToys + Manual Stitch):
- Install PowerToys → Enable “Image Resizer” module.
- Open the app/window you want to capture.
- Use Snipping Tool (Win + Shift + S) in Rectangular Snip mode:
- Capture top section
- Scroll down exactly one screen height
- Capture next section (overlap ~10% with previous)
- Repeat until end
- Save all snippets (e.g., 1.png, 2.png, 3.png)
- Stitch manually in Paint:
- Open first image in Paint
- Increase canvas height (Ctrl + Page Down)
- Paste next image below, align using overlap
- Repeat
- Save as full_scroll.png
Faster method: Use online stitcher (e.g., https://29a.ch/photo-stitcher) — drag all images → download stitched PNG.
Method 4: ShareX (Open-Source, Advanced – Optional)
Not built-in, but trusted, free, open-source, used by millions.
Features:
- Auto-scroll capture
- Hotkeys
- Upload to Imgur, save locally
- Annotate, watermark
Step-by-Step:
- Download from getsharex.com
- Open ShareX → Capture → Scrolling capture
- Click the window → ShareX auto-scrolls and stitches
- Save/edit/upload
Best for power users — but not required for basic needs.
Comparison Table
| Method | Works on | Auto-Stitch | Built-in | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Edge Web Capture | Web pages only | Yes | Yes | Websites |
| Snipping Tool (Record) | Any window | No (manual) | Yes | Short scrolls |
| PowerToys + Paint | Any window | Manual stitch | Yes | Free, safe, universal |
| ShareX | Any window | Yes | No (3rd party) | Automation, pros |
Pro Tips
- For PDFs: Open in Edge → use Web Capture (even local files!)
- For Excel/Google Sheets: Use Edge → paste table as HTML → capture
- Keyboard shortcut for Edge: Ctrl + Shift + S → “Capture full page”
- Avoid browser extensions — Edge’s tool is faster and more reliable
Summary: Recommended Workflow
| Goal | Recommended Tool |
|---|---|
| Web page | Edge Web Capture (Ctrl + Shift + S) |
| Any app (free, safe) | Snipping Tool → manual shots → stitch in Paint or online |
| Frequent use | Install ShareX (one hotkey does it all) |
Let me know what you’re trying to capture (e.g., a chat, PDF, website), and I’ll give you the exact 30-second method!