Print Screen Shortcut (PrtScn / ⇧⌘3)
To screenshot the whole screen, press PrtScn on Windows or ⇧⌘3 (Shift+Command+3) on the Mac. Windows copies the image to the clipboard (use Win+PrtScn to save a PNG straight to Pictures\Screenshots); the Mac drops a file on your desktop. For just one window or a region, see the keys below.
| Action | Mac | Windows | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capture the full screen | ⇧⌘3 (to file) | PrtScn (to clipboard) | |
| Full screen saved as a file | ⇧⌘3 | Win+PrtScn | |
| Capture the active window | ⇧⌘4 then Space | Alt+PrtScn | |
| Capture a chosen region | ⇧⌘4 | Win+Shift+S | |
| Copy region to clipboard instead of file | ⇧⌘4 + Ctrl | Win+Shift+S |
Windows: where the screenshot goes
Plain PrtScn copies the whole screen to the clipboard — paste it into Paint, Word, or a chat with Ctrl+V. To skip the paste step and save a file automatically, press Win+PrtScn; the screen dims briefly and a PNG lands in Pictures\Screenshots. For a single window, use Alt+PrtScn. For a drawn region, Win+Shift+S opens Snip & Sketch.
Mac: there is no Print Screen key
Macs have no PrtScn key. Use ⇧⌘3 (Shift+Command+3) for the full screen, ⇧⌘4 to drag a region, or ⇧⌘4 then Space to grab one window. Each saves a file to the desktop by default; hold Ctrl with any of them (e.g. ⌃⇧⌘4) to copy to the clipboard instead. On macOS Mojave and later, ⇧⌘5 opens a capture toolbar with the same options.
FAQ
What is the Print Screen shortcut on Windows?
Press PrtScn to copy the whole screen to the clipboard, or Win+PrtScn to save it as a PNG in Pictures\Screenshots. Alt+PrtScn captures only the active window.
How do I Print Screen on a Mac?
Macs have no PrtScn key. Press ⇧⌘3 (Shift+Command+3) for the full screen, ⇧⌘4 for a region, or ⇧⌘4 then Space for one window. Hold Ctrl to copy to the clipboard instead of saving a file.
How do I screenshot just one window?
On Windows press Alt+PrtScn; on the Mac press ⇧⌘4 then Space and click the window.
Why doesn't PrtScn save a file on Windows?
Plain PrtScn only copies to the clipboard — paste with Ctrl+V. Use Win+PrtScn to save a file automatically.