What the Print Screen key does
Print Screen copies an image of the whole screen to the clipboard. Alt+Print Screen captures only the active window. Windows+Print Screen saves a PNG straight to Pictures → Screenshots. In Windows 11 the key can be set to open Snipping Tool instead.
On a Mac
Use Command+Shift+3 (screen), Command+Shift+4 (drag a region), Command+Shift+5 (toolbar with screen recording). Screenshots save to the desktop by default.
On a laptop
Often needs Fn. If PrtSc appears as a small label on another key, press Fn with it. On some models the key is labelled with a camera icon.
Shortcuts that use the Print Screen key
| Shortcut | What it does |
|---|---|
| Print Screen | Copy the full screen to the clipboard |
| Alt+Print Screen | Copy only the active window |
| Windows+Print Screen | Save a screenshot file automatically |
| Windows+Shift+S | Snipping Tool region capture |
| Command+Shift+4 (Mac) | Capture a region |
If the Print Screen key is missing or not working
If Print Screen appears to do nothing, it probably copied to the clipboard: paste into Paint or a document. Check Settings → Accessibility → Keyboard → "Use the Print screen key to open screen capture" in Windows 11. Test the key below; on many laptops it never reaches the browser without Fn.
Test it here: click the tester, press the key, and it should light up green. A red key is stuck; a key that never lights up is dead or intercepted by the system. The full keyboard tester has the press log and more detail.
Click the tester, then press any key. Browser shortcuts are blocked while it has focus.
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- key
- —
- code
- —
- keyCode
- —
none
Max at once: 0 (rollover)
None detected. A key held for more than 2 seconds is flagged.
Frequently asked questions
Where do Print Screen screenshots go? +
Print Screen alone copies to the clipboard, so paste it somewhere. Windows+Print Screen saves a file to Pictures → Screenshots.
How do I print screen on a laptop? +
Find the key printed PrtSc, often on the top row, and press it with Fn if it is a sub-label. Windows+Shift+S works on every laptop.
How do I print screen on a Mac? +
Command+Shift+3 for the whole screen, Command+Shift+4 to select an area, Command+Shift+5 for options.
What is SysRq on the Print Screen key? +
System Request, a leftover from IBM PCs. Modern Windows does not use it; Linux uses Alt+SysRq combinations for emergency commands.