The correct screenshot hotkey depends on your operating system. On Windows, press Windows+Shift+S to select an area or PrtScn to copy the whole screen. On Mac, use Shift-Command-3 for the entire screen, Shift-Command-4 for a selection, or Shift-Command-5 for the Screenshot app. On Chromebook, press Ctrl+Show Windows for a full-screen capture or Shift+Ctrl+Show Windows for a partial capture.
Screenshot hotkeys at a glance
| Device | Whole screen | Selected area | Window or additional controls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Windows 10/11 | PrtScn | Windows+Shift+S | Snipping Tool modes; Windows+Shift+R starts a video snip |
| macOS | Shift-Command-3 | Shift-Command-4 | Shift-Command-4, then Space captures a window or menu; Shift-Command-5 opens Screenshot |
| ChromeOS | Ctrl+Show Windows | Shift+Ctrl+Show Windows | Ctrl+Shift+Show Windows opens more capture choices |
These combinations are documented by Microsoft, Apple, and Google. Key labels can differ on compact or external keyboards, so identify your device before trying a shortcut.
Windows 10 and Windows 11
Capture a selected region with Windows+Shift+S
- Press Windows+Shift+S.
- When the Snipping Tool overlay appears, drag over the part of the screen you need. You can choose rectangular, freeform, window, or full-screen capture from the overlay.
- The result is copied into Snipping Tool, where you can annotate, save, or share it.
This is the quickest Windows shortcut when you do not want to include the entire desktop. Microsoft documents the combination and the available capture modes in its Snipping Tool instructions.
Capture the entire screen with PrtScn
Press PrtScn to capture the whole display and copy the image to the clipboard by default. Paste it into Paint, an email, a document, or another image editor, then save it in the format you need. Windows also provides a setting that changes PrtScn so it opens screen snipping instead of only copying the image; the exact label can vary between Windows releases, so use the keyboard settings described by Microsoft.
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Use Snipping Tool when you need editing
Open Snipping Tool from the Start menu if you need a delay, annotations, or a deliberate choice between freeform, rectangular, window, and full-screen modes. A capture first appears in the tool, making it easy to mark sensitive text before saving or sharing.
Do not confuse a video shortcut with a still screenshot
Windows+Shift+R starts a video snip. It is not the shortcut for a still image; use Windows+Shift+S or PrtScn for a static screenshot.
macOS
Capture the whole screen
Press Shift-Command-3. Apple describes the action as pressing and releasing those three keys together. The image is saved to the desktop by default.
Select part of the screen
- Press Shift-Command-4.
- When the pointer changes, drag across the area to capture.
- Release the mouse or trackpad button to take the shot.
Capture a window or menu
Press Shift-Command-4, then press the Space bar. Move the camera pointer over a window or menu and click. This avoids manually trimming surrounding content.
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Open the Screenshot app
Press Shift-Command-5 on macOS Mojave 10.14 or later. The Screenshot app provides whole-screen, window, and selected-area controls, plus a timer and save-location options. It is useful when you want to change destinations or capture after a short delay instead of relying on the default desktop location. Apple lists the complete shortcut set and version scope on its Mac screenshot support page.
Some applications can prevent screenshots of their windows. If a capture is black or unavailable only in one protected application, the restriction may come from that application rather than from the keyboard shortcut.
Chromebook and ChromeOS
Capture the full screen
Press Ctrl+Show Windows. The Show Windows key usually looks like a rectangle followed by two vertical lines and sits in the Chromebook function-key row.
Capture a partial area
Press Shift+Ctrl+Show Windows, then drag over the region to capture. To open the broader Screen Capture controls, press Ctrl+Shift+Show Windows; current ChromeOS capture controls include full-screen, partial, and window choices.
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Where ChromeOS puts the file
ChromeOS copies screenshots to the clipboard and saves them in Downloads by default. You can change the destination from the capture settings. Google describes these behaviors in its screen capture instructions.
When the Show Windows key is missing
Some external or Windows-oriented keyboards do not have a Show Windows key. Google documents Ctrl+Shift+F5 as an alternative for those setups. On a Windows or Mac keyboard connected to a Chromebook, Google says the Windows or Command key can substitute for Search or Launcher in shortcuts that use those keys. The published shortcut list is scoped to US Chromebooks with standard English QWERTY layouts; other layouts can assign different labels or positions. Check ChromeOS shortcut settings if the printed combination does not respond. See Google’s Chromebook keyboard shortcut reference.
Choose the shortcut by the result you need
| Goal | Windows | Mac | Chromebook |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entire display immediately | PrtScn | Shift-Command-3 | Ctrl+Show Windows |
| Draw a rectangle around content | Windows+Shift+S | Shift-Command-4 | Shift+Ctrl+Show Windows |
| Capture one window or menu | Choose Window in Snipping Tool | Shift-Command-4, then Space | Open capture controls with Ctrl+Shift+Show Windows |
| Delay or change destination | Open Snipping Tool | Shift-Command-5 | Open ChromeOS Screen Capture controls |
If you are documenting an error, select only the relevant dialog and address bar. For a full bug report, include the entire display so surrounding context, notifications, and window state remain visible.
Troubleshooting screenshot shortcuts
Nothing happens when you press the keys
- Confirm that you are using the correct operating-system combination; Command is a Mac key, while Show Windows is a ChromeOS key.
- On a laptop, try the function-layer modifier if the capture key is shared with another function.
- Disconnect and reconnect an external keyboard, then test an on-screen or built-in keyboard to isolate a hardware mapping problem.
- On ChromeOS, verify the keyboard layout and shortcut assignments; Google’s documented combinations target US English QWERTY devices.
The capture is not where you expected
- Windows PrtScn normally places the image on the clipboard, so paste it into an editor before looking for a file.
- Mac saves screenshots to the desktop by default unless Screenshot settings specify another location.
- ChromeOS saves to Downloads and also copies the image to the clipboard; its capture settings can change the folder.
The image includes private information
Use a region or window capture instead of the whole screen, then inspect the image before sharing. Crop or annotate in Snipping Tool, Preview, or another editor, and check browser tabs, notification banners, account names, and clipboard previews.
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Some Mac applications prevent screenshots of their windows. A black or empty result limited to one protected app is expected behavior from that app; capture surrounding documentation or use an approved export function instead.
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FAQ
Does Windows+Shift+R take a still screenshot?
No. Microsoft assigns Windows+Shift+R to a video snip. Use Windows+Shift+S or PrtScn for a still image.
What does adding Control to a Mac screenshot shortcut do?
Holding Control with the corresponding Mac screenshot shortcut places the capture on the clipboard instead of relying on the normal file destination. You can then paste it directly into another app.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change the Windows PrtScn action?
Yes. Windows includes a keyboard setting that can make PrtScn open screen snipping instead of only copying the full display; the exact setting name depends on your Windows release.
Are Chromebook shortcuts identical on every keyboard?
No. Google’s published combinations are for US English QWERTY Chromebooks. External keyboards and other layouts may require the Windows, Command, or F5 alternatives described in the guide.
Quick Recap
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