How to Screenshot on Laptop: Windows and Macbook

Liputan6.com, Jakarta Do you need to know how to screenshot on laptop but don't know where to start? Taking a screenshot is one of the most useful skills for any laptop user. It helps you save important information quickly and easily.

Screenshots are helpful in many situations. You can capture error messages to show technical support. You can save online receipts and important documents. You can also share interesting content with friends or keep records of your work. Screenshots save time and make communication clearer.

Here, we will learn how to screenshot on laptop for both Windows and MacBook users. We made this guide on Friday (31/10/2025). Let's check them out.

Windows laptops offer several ways to capture your screen. You can choose the method that works best for your needs. All these methods are simple and built into your computer.

Using the Print Screen Key

The Print Screen key is the fastest way to take a screenshot. This key is usually labeled as "PrtSc" or "Print Screen" on your keyboard. Follow these simple steps to capture your screen.

To capture the entire screen:

1. Find the Print Screen key on your keyboard.

2. Press the Print Screen key once.

3. Open any program like Word or Paint.

4. Press Ctrl and V keys together to paste the screenshot.

To capture only the active window:

1. Click on the window you want to capture.

2. Press Alt and Print Screen keys at the same time.

3. Open a program where you want to use the image.

4. Press Ctrl and V to paste the screenshot.

Using Snipping Tool

Windows has a special program called Snipping Tool. This tool gives you more control over your screenshots. It allows you to choose exactly what part of your screen to capture.

How to open and use Snipping Tool:

1. Click the Start button at the bottom left of your screen.

2. Type "snipping tool" in the search box.

3. Click on Snipping Tool when it appears in the results.

4. Choose the type of screenshot you want from the options.

5. Select the area on your screen you want to capture.

6. The screenshot will appear in the Snipping Tool window.

Types of screenshots you can take:

The Snipping Tool offers different capture options. You can select a freeform shape by drawing around any object. You can drag a rectangle around the area you want to capture. If you need to capture a specific window, the tool can do that too. There is also an option to capture your full screen.

Using Keyboard Shortcuts

Windows provides quick keyboard shortcuts for taking screenshots. These shortcuts are faster than opening programs and give you instant results.

To capture a selected area:

1. Press Windows key, Shift key, and S key together.

2. Your screen will become slightly darker.

3. A small toolbar appears at the top of your screen.

4. Click and drag your mouse to create a rectangle around the area you want.

5. Release your mouse button to capture the screenshot.

6. The screenshot saves to your clipboard automatically.

To record a video of your screen:

1. Press Windows key, Shift key, and R key together.

2. Select the area you want to record.

3. Click the record button to start recording.

4. Click stop when you finish recording.

To edit your screenshot:

1. Look for a small preview in the corner of your screen after taking a screenshot.

2. Click this preview to open the editing window.

3. Add notes, draw shapes, or crop the image as needed.

4. Click the save button to keep your edited screenshot.

Where Screenshots Are Saved

Different methods save screenshots in different locations. Understanding where your files go will help you find them quickly.

Screenshots using Print Screen key:

When you use the Print Screen key alone, screenshots go to your clipboard. You need to paste them into another program to save them as files.

Screenshots saved automatically:

1. Press Windows key and Print Screen together.

2. The screenshot saves automatically to your computer.

3. Open File Explorer and go to "Pictures" folder.

4. Find the "Screenshots" folder inside.

5. Your screenshot will be there with the date and time.

Screenshots using Snipping Tool:

1. After capturing your image, click the save button.

2. Choose where you want to save the file.

3. You can select Desktop, Documents, or any other folder.

4. Give your file a name and click Save.

MacBook computers use different methods to take screenshots. Apple has created simple keyboard shortcuts that work well. These shortcuts use the Command and Shift keys combined with number keys.

Capture Your Entire Screen

Taking a screenshot of your full screen on MacBook is very simple. This method captures everything you see on your display at once.

Steps to capture the entire screen:

1. Press Shift, Command, and 3 keys at the same time.

2. Make sure to press all three keys together.

3. Release all keys at once.

4. Your Mac will take a picture of your entire screen instantly.

5. A small thumbnail image appears in the corner of your screen.

What to do after taking the screenshot:

You can click the thumbnail to edit the screenshot right away. If you don't click it, the screenshot will save automatically to your Desktop after a few seconds.

Capture Part of Your Screen

Sometimes you only need to capture a specific area of your screen. MacBook makes this easy with a simple keyboard shortcut and selection tool.

Steps to capture a selected area:

1. Press Shift, Command, and 4 keys together.

2. Your mouse pointer will change into a crosshair symbol.

3. Click and hold your mouse button.

4. Drag to create a rectangle around the area you want.

5. Release your mouse button when the selection looks correct.

6. The screenshot is taken immediately.

To cancel the screenshot:

If you change your mind, press the Escape key before releasing your mouse button.

To move your selection:

1. After creating your selection, don't release the mouse button yet.

2. Press and hold the Space bar.

3. Drag to move the entire selection area.

4. Release the Space bar when the position is correct.

5. Release the mouse button to take the screenshot.

This helps you position the selection exactly where you want it without changing its size.

Capture a Specific Window

MacBook can capture individual windows or menus without showing the rest of your screen. This is useful when you want to screenshot only one program or dialog box.

Steps to capture a window:

1. Open the window or menu you want to capture.

2. Press Shift, Command, and 4 keys together.

3. Press the Space bar.

4. Your pointer will change into a camera icon.

5. Move the camera icon over the window you want to capture.

6. The window will be highlighted in blue.

7. Click on the window to take the screenshot.

To remove the window shadow:

1. Follow steps 1-6 above.

2. Press and hold the Option key.

3. While holding Option, click on the window.

4. The screenshot will capture the window without its shadow.

Using the Screenshot App

MacBooks have a special Screenshot app that offers more control and options. This app is perfect when you need advanced features for your screenshots.

How to open the Screenshot app:

1. Press Shift, Command, and 5 keys together.

2. A control panel appears at the bottom of your screen.

3. The panel shows different capture options.

4. Choose the type of screenshot you want.

5. Click the capture button or select an area.

Useful features in the Screenshot app:

The app includes several helpful options. You can set a timer before taking the screenshot. This gives you time to prepare your screen. You can also choose where your screenshots are saved. The default location is your Desktop, but you can change it to any folder.

Additional settings:

The app lets you decide if you want to see the thumbnail preview after capturing. Some people prefer screenshots to save directly without the preview. You can also choose whether to show your mouse pointer in screenshots. These options help you customize your screenshot experience according to your needs.

Finding Your Screenshots

Knowing where your screenshots are saved helps you access them quickly. MacBook has a simple system for organizing screenshot files.

Default save location:

By default, all screenshots on MacBook save to your Desktop. They have names that include "Screen Shot" followed by the date and time. This naming system helps you find screenshots easily and know when you took them.

Quick actions with thumbnails:

You don't have to wait for screenshots to save. When the thumbnail appears in the corner, you can drag it to another location immediately. Drop it into an email, a document, or any folder you want. This is faster than opening the file later.

Saving to clipboard instead:

1. Hold down the Control key along with your screenshot keys.

2. For example, press Control, Shift, Command, and 3 together.

3. The screenshot goes to your clipboard instead of saving as a file.

4. You can paste it anywhere by pressing Command and V keys.

5. This method is useful when you don't need to save the file permanently.

Learning how to screenshot on laptop is a valuable skill for everyone. Both Windows and MacBook offer simple methods that anyone can use. Windows users can choose between Print Screen key, Snipping Tool, or keyboard shortcuts. MacBook users have keyboard combinations and the Screenshot app.

Pick the method that feels most comfortable for you. With practice, taking screenshots will become quick and natural. Now you can easily capture and save any information you need from your laptop screen.