Keyboard Shortcuts for Computer and Laptop Screenshots [Complete Guide]

When we use computers and laptops, taking screenshots to exchange data is a daily task. However, if we do not know the shortcut to capture the computer and Laptop screen, we will lose a lot of time for this. In this article, I will introduce to you the most popular computer and laptop screen capture shortcuts today.

Note: Each keyboard of different brands will use a different Layout, so the Print Screen button on each keyboard may be a little different. However, you can still identify them easily. You can see a summary of Print Screen buttons on today’s popular key layouts.

1. Screenshot shortcut auto-save

Instead of taking a screenshot, you have to open Paint to save it manually, you can choose the auto-save mode to save time and manipulation.

Shortcut keys:

For some keyboards that use a shortened layout like Laptop, you need to press the FN key to unlock the screen capture function. Now our standard keyboard shortcut is:

After the image is taken, the system will automatically store it in the Picture folder with the Folder name ScreenShots. You open This PC -> Picture -> ScreenShots.

2. Shortcut to take screenshot and save manually

If you want to take a screenshot and save it manually in Paint to be able to draw characters with the Pencil tool, you proceed as follows:

First, you press the Print Screen button so that the system takes a screenshot and saves it to memory.

Then, you proceed to open MenuStart and enter Paint to open.

Finally, you press Paste (or Ctrl + V) to paste the screenshot image into Paint software. Next, you press Save (Ctrl + S) to save and complete.

3. Shortcut to take a picture of a selection on the screen

Instead of having to take a picture of the entire screen, you can also select a certain capture area on the screen to facilitate the security of other unrelated content. The operation of the shortcut to take a picture of a selection on the screen is as follows:

Shortcut keys:

After pressing the combination, you will be transferred to the screen capture interface. Now you press and hold the left mouse button to create an area of the screen that you need to capture.

Then, you proceed to open MenuStart and enter Paint to open.

Finally, you press Paste (or Ctrl + V) to paste the screenshot image into Paint software. Next, you press Save (Ctrl + S) to save and complete.

4. Shortcuts to capture application and software windows

To capture the application window, the first thing you need to do is click on the application window to select it (put up the first display on the screen). Then you proceed to press the key combination below.

Shortcut keys:

Then, you proceed to open MenuStart and enter Paint to open.

Finally, you press Paste (or Ctrl + V) to paste the screenshot image into Paint software. Next, you press Save (Ctrl + S) to save and complete.

Basic Keyboard Shortcuts for Screenshots

If you’re looking to capture a screenshot on your computer or laptop quickly, using keyboard shortcuts is the way to go. These shortcuts can save you time and make the process of taking a screenshot much more efficient.

Here are the basic keyboard shortcuts for taking screenshots on Windows and Mac operating systems:

Windows Operating System Shortcuts

1. Full-Screen Screenshot: Press the “PrtScn” key on your keyboard to capture a screenshot of the entire screen. The screenshot will be saved to your clipboard, and you can paste it into an image editor or document.
2. Active Window Screenshot: To capture a screenshot of only the active window, press “Alt + PrtScn.” This will capture the current window and save it to your clipboard.
3. Custom Area Screenshot: To take a screenshot of a specific area on your screen, press “Windows key + Shift + S.” This will open the Snipping Tool, which allows you to select the area you want to capture.

Mac Operating System Shortcuts

1. Full-Screen Screenshot: Press “Command + Shift + 3” to capture a screenshot of the entire screen. The screenshot will be saved to your desktop.
2. Active Window Screenshot: To capture a screenshot of only the active window, press “Command + Shift + 4,” then press the space bar. This will change the cursor to a camera icon, and you can click on the window you want to capture.
3. Custom Area Screenshot: To take a screenshot of a specific area on your screen, press “Command + Shift + 4.” This will change the cursor to a crosshair icon, and you can click and drag to select the area you want to capture.

These keyboard shortcuts are basic, but they cover most of your screenshot needs. Whether you need to capture the entire screen or just a specific area, these shortcuts can save you time and hassle.

Advanced Keyboard Shortcuts for Screenshots

If you’re looking for more advanced screenshot options, there are additional keyboard shortcuts available for Windows and Mac operating systems.

Additional Windows Operating System Shortcuts

1. Snipping Tool: The Snipping Tool is a built-in Windows app that allows you to capture screenshots of any size or shape. To open the Snipping Tool, press “Windows key + Shift + S,” and then select the type of snip you want to take.
2. Snip & Sketch: Snip & Sketch is another built-in Windows app that lets you take screenshots and annotate them with various tools. To open Snip & Sketch, press “Windows key + Shift + S” and select the “New” button in the Snip & Sketch app.
3. Windows Game Bar: If you’re a gamer, the Windows Game Bar can be a handy way to take screenshots while playing games. To open the Windows Game Bar, press “Windows key + G,” and then select the “Screenshot” button.

Additional Mac Operating System Shortcuts

1. Preview: Preview is a built-in Mac app that allows you to capture screenshots and annotate them. To open Preview, press “Command + Spacebar” to open Spotlight, then type “Preview,” and press Enter. In Preview, select “File > Take Screenshot” to access the screenshot options.
2. Grab: Grab is another built-in Mac app that lets you take screenshots of your entire screen, a window, or a specific area. To open Grab, go to “Applications > Utilities > Grab.” In Grab, select “Capture” to access the screenshot options.
3. Terminal: If you’re comfortable with using the Terminal app on your Mac, you can take screenshots using the “screencapture” command. Open the Terminal app, type “screencapture -h” for a list of options, and then type the command for the type of screenshot you want to take.

These advanced keyboard shortcuts give you more options for capturing and annotating screenshots. Whether you need to capture a specific shape or annotate your screenshot, these shortcuts can help you get the job done efficiently.

How to Use Keyboard Shortcuts for Screenshots in Web Browsers

You can also take screenshots of web pages using keyboard shortcuts in your web browser. Here’s how to do it in some popular browsers:

Google Chrome

1. Full-Page Screenshot: To capture a full-page screenshot in Chrome, press “Ctrl + Shift + F5.” This will capture the entire page, including areas that are not visible on your screen. The screenshot will be saved to your Downloads folder.
2. Custom Area Screenshot: To capture a screenshot of a specific area on a web page, press “Ctrl + Shift + P.” This will open the Chrome Developer Tools, and you can then select the “Screenshot” tool to capture the desired area.

Mozilla Firefox

1. Full-Page Screenshot: To capture a full-page screenshot in Firefox, press “Shift + F2” to open the Firefox Developer Tools console, then type “screenshot –fullpage” and press Enter. The screenshot will be saved to your Downloads folder.
2. Custom Area Screenshot: To capture a screenshot of a specific area on a web page, press “Shift + F2” to open the Firefox Developer Tools console, then type “screenshot filename.png –selector” and press Enter. This will allow you to select the area you want to capture.

Safari

1. Full-Page Screenshot: To capture a full-page screenshot in Safari, press “Command + Shift + 5” to open the screenshot toolbar, then select “Capture Entire Screen” or “Capture Selected Window.” The screenshot will be saved to your desktop.
2. Custom Area Screenshot: To capture a screenshot of a specific area on a web page, press “Command + Shift + 5” to open the screenshot toolbar, then select “Capture Selected Portion” and use the crosshair to select the desired area.

These keyboard shortcuts make it easy to capture screenshots of web pages quickly and efficiently. Whether you need to capture the entire page or a specific area, using these shortcuts can save you time and hassle.

Tips and Tricks for Using Keyboard Shortcuts for Screenshots

Taking screenshots with keyboard shortcuts can be a game-changer for many people. To make the most out of these shortcuts, here are some tips and tricks to keep in mind:

Customizing Keyboard Shortcuts

If you find that the default keyboard shortcuts don’t work well for you, you can customize them to your liking. For example, on a Mac, you can use a third-party app like BetterTouchTool to create your own keyboard shortcuts. On Windows, you can use a tool like AutoHotkey to create custom keyboard shortcuts.

Editing and Annotating Screenshots

Once you’ve taken a screenshot, you can edit and annotate it using a variety of apps. On a Mac, you can use Preview or Skitch to add text, shapes, and other annotations. On Windows, you can use Paint or Snip & Sketch to edit your screenshots.

Saving and Sharing Screenshots

After taking a screenshot, you’ll want to save and share it with others. On a Mac, you can save your screenshots to the desktop or a specific folder. On Windows, you can save your screenshots to the Pictures folder or a custom folder. You can also share your screenshots via email or social media.

Using Third-Party Apps

In addition to the built-in screenshot tools, there are many third-party apps available that offer more advanced features. For example, Snagit is a popular screenshot tool that offers advanced editing and annotation options, as well as the ability to capture videos.

Taking screenshots with keyboard shortcuts is a quick and efficient way to capture information on your computer or laptop. By customizing your keyboard shortcuts, editing and annotating your screenshots, and using third-party apps, you can take your screenshot game to the next level.