This article explains how to take a screenshot on an HP laptop. The instructions apply to Windows 11 and 10.

What to Know

  • PrtSc saves the screen to your clipboard. Win+PrtSc saves screenshots to Pictures > Screenshots.Alternatively, open the Snipping tool or Snip & Sketch from the Start menu.On a tablet, press Power and Volume Down simultaneously. Screenshots go to your Photos app.

Use the Keyboard to Take a Screenshot in Windows

There are a few ways to take screenshots using the keyboard. Most methods require you to paste and save the screen capture in the image editor of your choice.

Save the Screen to the Clipboard

Use the Prt Sn (Print Screen) button to add the current screen to the clipboard. It’s on the far right of the top row of your keyboard, near the Insert and Delete keys. You will then need to paste the image into an editor like Paint (or similar) to see and manipulate the image further.

Capture the Whole Screen

With the screen up that you want to capture, press the Windows Key+Prt Sc. Your screen will flash for an instant. By default, captures go to This PC > Photos > Screenshots.

To use the screenshot in a document, place the cursor where you want the image to be, and then press Ctrl+V to paste.

Capture Part of the Screen

Simultaneously press the Windows key+Shift+S. Drag your cursor over the area of the screen you want to capture. The selected section will be saved to the clipboard.

On some keyboards, you must hold down the FN key as well, so the whole shortcut is Windows Key+FN+Prt Sc.

Capture the Active Window

Use Alt+Prt Sc to capture the active window and add it to the clipboard. You will see no indication that the capture actually happened.

How to Take a Screenshot with the Snipping Tool

The Windows Snipping Tool offers advanced options for capturing and editing screenshots.

  • Open the Start Menu, search for Snipping Tools, and select the app to open it.
  • Under the Mode menu, select the type of selection you want to use. To capture the entire screen, choose Full-screen. You can also choose a rectangular section, a single window, or draw a custom shape.
  • Select New to start your screen capture.
  • Snipping Tool will open the screenshot in a new window, where you can use the tools up top to make notes and highlights before you save the screenshot.
  • To save, select the floppy disk icon.

How to Use Snip & Sketch in Windows 10

Windows 10 also has the Snip & Sketch app. Here’s how to use it:

Open the Start Menu, search for Snipping Tools, and select the app to open it.

Under the Mode menu, select the type of selection you want to use. To capture the entire screen, choose Full-screen. You can also choose a rectangular section, a single window, or draw a custom shape.

Select New to start your screen capture.

Snipping Tool will open the screenshot in a new window, where you can use the tools up top to make notes and highlights before you save the screenshot.

To save, select the floppy disk icon.

There are also third-party screenshot apps for Windows that offer more editing options.

  • With the window or screen you want to capture open, click the Start menu.
  • Search for Snip & Sketch in the search bar and select it from the results.
  • A menu will appear at the top of the screen. Click the fourth option to capture the whole image, which looks like a rectangle with marks in each corner.
  • The other options let you draw a rectangle to capture, make a freeform shape, or grab the active window.
  • However you take the screen, Windows will save it to the clipboard and save folder, and a notification will appear. Click the notification (which includes a thumbnail of the screen you just took) to open a customization window.
  • In this window, you can mark up, highlight, and crop the image using the tools at the top of the screen.
  • To save the screenshot, click the Save icon.
  • In the next window, choose a file name, file type, and location for your saved screenshot, then select Save.

How to Take a Screenshot on an HP Tablet

HP dropped out of the tablet market in 2011, but you can capture the screen by pressing Power + Volume Down if you still have one. You can find screenshots in the Photos app.

With the window or screen you want to capture open, click the Start menu.

Search for Snip & Sketch in the search bar and select it from the results.

A menu will appear at the top of the screen. Click the fourth option to capture the whole image, which looks like a rectangle with marks in each corner.

The other options let you draw a rectangle to capture, make a freeform shape, or grab the active window.

However you take the screen, Windows will save it to the clipboard and save folder, and a notification will appear. Click the notification (which includes a thumbnail of the screen you just took) to open a customization window.

In this window, you can mark up, highlight, and crop the image using the tools at the top of the screen.

To save the screenshot, click the Save icon.

In the next window, choose a file name, file type, and location for your saved screenshot, then select Save.

  • How do I take a screenshot on an HP Chromebook?
  • To take a screenshot on a Chromebook, use the Screen Capture tool via Quick Settings, or press Ctrl+Window Switch. To capture a specific area, press Ctrl+Shift+Window Switch. Screenshots are saved to the Files app.
  • How do I factory reset my HP laptop?
  • To factory reset an HP laptop running Windows 11, go to Start > Settings > System > Recovery > Reset PC. On Windows 10, go to Start > Settings > Update & Security > Recovery > Get Started under Reset this PC.
  • How do I connect Airpods to my HP laptop?
  • To connect Airpods to an HP laptop on Windows 11, open your AirPods case, then press and hold the button on the case until the light flashes white. In the Windows taskbar, go to Action Center and right-click Bluetooth. Select Add Bluetooth or other device > Bluetooth > choose your AirPods.

To take a screenshot on a Chromebook, use the Screen Capture tool via Quick Settings, or press Ctrl+Window Switch. To capture a specific area, press Ctrl+Shift+Window Switch. Screenshots are saved to the Files app.

To factory reset an HP laptop running Windows 11, go to Start > Settings > System > Recovery > Reset PC. On Windows 10, go to Start > Settings > Update & Security > Recovery > Get Started under Reset this PC.

To connect Airpods to an HP laptop on Windows 11, open your AirPods case, then press and hold the button on the case until the light flashes white. In the Windows taskbar, go to Action Center and right-click Bluetooth. Select Add Bluetooth or other device > Bluetooth > choose your AirPods.

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