How to take a screenshot with the keyboard?

On Windows, presses Windows + Impr. écran to take a screenshot and save it directly to your Pictures folder.

On Mac, the shortcut is Maj + Commande + 3. Here are all the shortcuts depending on what you want to capture, and where to find your files afterward.

Taking a screenshot with the keyboard on Windows

On a Windows-PC, three keyboard shortcuts allow you to take a screenshot. Each one serves a different purpose, depending on whether you want to copy, save, or select a specific area.

• Print screen (key PrtScn) : Copy the entire screen to the clipboard. Then paste the image into an editing application and save it. Under Windows 11, a file can also be saved automatically.
• Windows + Impr. écran : capture and records directly the image, without any pasting involved. This is the fastest method for everyday use.
• Windows + Maj + S : opens the’screenshot tool integrated into Microsoft Windows to select the area you want to capture. This is ideal if your keyboard doesn't have a Print Screen key, or if you want to take screenshots of a specific area.

On some laptops, you have to hold down Fn + Print Screen to activate the key. If nothing happens, try this combination first.

On a QWERTY keyboard, the keys are the same: Print screen bECOMES Print Screen and Shift bECOMES Shift. You can also Change the keyboard language on a PC if required.

When you use Windows + Maj + S, the screen dims and an options bar appears at the top. You then choose from four capture modes :

Your screenshot has been copied to the paperweight. Click on the preview in the lower right corner to annotate it, then remember to’register in the folder of your choice.

Taking a screenshot using the keyboard on a Mac

Explanatory video in French by Alucare, ideal complement to the page. View video (you can use YouTube's automatic translation)

On Mac, the keyboard shortcut varies depending on the result you want. Here are three ways to take a screenshot, ranging from the entire screen to a single window.

Full-screen screenshot

To capture full screen all at once, use the combination Maj + Commande + 3.

The capture...’automatically saves to the desktop. A miniature appears in the corner of the screen for a few seconds: click on it to edit your screenshot right away, or leave it there to find the file later.

Tip: If you add the Contrôle When you use this shortcut, the screenshot is copied to the paperweight instead of being saved to the desktop.

Capture a portion of your screen

To capture only one specific areahere's how:

1. Hold down these three keys: Maj + Commande + 4.
2. A cross-shaped pointer appears. Use it to select the area you want to capture.
3. Release the mouse to Confirm the capture.

Some useful options During the selection process:

• Move the area while keeping the space bar pressed, then drag the selected portion.
• Press Échap to cancel at any time.

Capturing a Window or Menu

To capture a window or menu To do this clearly, follow these steps:

1. Keep pressed down: Maj + Commande + 4 + space bar.
2. Your pointer turns into camera icon.
3. Just click on the window or the menu to capture, without dragging the slider.

Once the capture is complete, the miniature gives you direct access to the edits.

FAQs

Why doesn't the Print screen button work?

Sometimes, you have to Press the Print Screen key before you can use it. Here's how to do it in Windows 10 and Windows 11 :

• Open the Settings from your PC.
  

  

• Click on Ergonomic Options.
  

  

• Scroll down on the left side to find Keyboard.
  

  

• Check that the “Use the "Print Screen" button to take a screenshot” is enabled. If it isn't, enable it.
  

  

If the key still isn't responding, here are some other things to try:

• On some laptops, the key is activated by Fn + Print Screen : Try this combination.
• Check to make sure there are no keyboard capture or customization software runs in the background and does not lock the key.
• Launch the’troubleshooting tool on the Windows keyboard.
• Cleans Your keyboard: The key may be stuck because of dust.
• Close them apps and background processes.
• Restart your machine.
• Use the visual keyboard Windows troubleshooting.

Where can I find the screenshots?

The location varies depending on your device. Here's what you need to know for PC and Mac.

On PC

The fastest: opens the’File explorer since the taskbar, go to Images, then Screenshots. All screenshots saved with Windows + Impr. écran are located there.

You can also find and change the registration form via the settings:

• Go to the Start menu, then Settings.
  

  

• Click on Games.
  

  

• Select Captures (the section related to the Xbox Game Bar).
  

  

• Under “Catch Location,” click “Open folder“.
  

  

• You'll then have access to all your screenshots.

On Mac

Screenshots are automatically saved to the office. To change this location:

• Open the Options menu of the screenshot tool.
  

  

• Changes the’location as indicated.
  

  

You can also drag thumbnail directly into a folder or onto a document so you can save it wherever you want.

Why take a screenshot?

The screenshot allows you to get an accurate picture of the displayed content on your screen, to save it in your folders, as a keepsake, or to to share with others. In a professional setting, it is particularly useful for three reasons :

For more practical guides, check out our page Guides & How-To's.

And you, what keyboard shortcut What do you use most often to take screenshots? Tell us in the comments !