Note: If you prefer the old behavior where PrtScn copies the entire screen immediately, go to and toggle off "Use the Print Screen button to open screen snipping." Method C: Clipboard History (Paste Multiple Screenshots)
26 Aug 2019 — Use the 'Print Screen' button (PrtSc). You can then hit 'Ctrl + V' to paste it into a document. Press together the 'Windows Key' + eSafety Commissioner
| Method | How to capture | How to paste | Best for | |---|---:|---|---| | PrtScn (Print Screen) | Press PrtScn — copies whole screen to clipboard | Ctrl+V into any app that accepts images (Word, Paint, email body, chat) | Fast single-step paste when no editing needed | | Alt + PrtScn | Press Alt+PrtScn — copies active window | Ctrl+V into app | Quick capture of one window | | Windows key + PrtScn | Press Win+PrtScn — saves PNG to Pictures\Screenshots and copies? (clipboard not guaranteed) | Open file from Pictures to insert; or use clipboard if available | When you want an automatic file saved | | Windows + Shift + S (Snip) | Press Win+Shift+S — select region; copied to clipboard and shows notification | Ctrl+V or click notification to open in Snipping Tool for editing | Best for selective captures + quick paste | | Snipping Tool / Snip & Sketch app | Open app → New → capture → edit | Click the copy button or Ctrl+C, then Ctrl+V into target | Best when you need on-capture editing and annotations | | Game Bar (Win+G) | Use for game screenshots (Win+Alt+PrtScn or via overlay) | Saved to Videos\Captures — open file to insert | Game-specific captures; not clipboard-focused |
Use Snipping Tool to capture screenshots - Microsoft Support
Your screen will dim, and a small toolbar will appear at the top.
Scroll through the visual list of your recent screenshots and to paste it into your active app. 5. Editing Before Pasting
Choose a mode: Rectangular, Freeform, Window, or Fullscreen. Click and drag your mouse to select the area.
The quickest way to take a screenshot on Windows is by using keyboard shortcuts. Here's how:
A free and open-source tool that is extremely popular among developers. It allows you to set custom actions for what happens after you take a screenshot. You can set it to automatically copy the screenshot to your clipboard and upload a link to cloud storage simultaneously.
What are you trying to paste the screenshot into?
By default in new Windows updates, pressing the key automatically opens the Snipping Tool interface rather than capturing the whole screen blindly. If you prefer the classic behavior where pressing PrtScn instantly copies the entire screen to your clipboard without opening a menu, you can revert it: Go to Settings > Accessibility > Keyboard .
Taking and pasting screenshots on Windows is a straightforward process that can be accomplished using keyboard shortcuts, the Snipping Tool, or the Game Bar. By following the steps outlined in this article, new users can easily capture and paste screenshots into various applications. Whether you're a student, professional, or gamer, knowing how to take and paste screenshots is an essential skill that can help you communicate more effectively.