The fastest way: Print Screen and Snipping Tool
On an HP EliteBook, the simplest screenshot method is the Print Screen key (labeled PrtScn or PrtSc), usually in the top right of your keyboard. Press it once and your entire screen copies to the clipboard — you won't see any visual confirmation, but the image is there. Open any program that accepts images (Notepad, Word, Paint, email), right-click, and select Paste to insert it.
If you need to capture only part of your screen or want to see what you're capturing before saving, use the Snipping Tool, which comes built into Windows. Press the Windows key and type "snipping tool", then open it. Click New, drag a rectangle around what you want to capture, and the tool opens a small editor where you can save, copy, or annotate before you do anything else with it.
The Snipping Tool is faster than Print Screen for most everyday tasks because you see exactly what you're grabbing and can save it directly as a file instead of pasting it somewhere first.
Key Takeaways
- Press Print Screen to copy your entire screen to the clipboard, then paste it into any program that accepts images.
- Use the Snipping Tool (search for it in Windows) to capture only part of your screen and save it as a file immediately.
- On newer HP EliteBooks, Windows key + Shift + S opens a quick screenshot menu that lets you choose between full screen, window, or freehand capture.
- Screenshots are saved as image files (PNG or JPG) and can be opened in any photo viewer or editing program.
Windows key + Shift + S for quick partial screenshots
Newer versions of Windows (Windows 10 and later) include a faster shortcut: press Windows key + Shift + S. Your screen dims slightly and a small toolbar appears at the top. You can choose between rectangular capture (the default), freehand drawing, window capture (grabs one open window), or full screen.
After you make your selection and drag to capture, a small notification appears in the bottom right corner. Click it to open a quick editor where you can crop, draw on the image, or erase parts before saving. This method is faster than Snipping Tool for most people because the keyboard shortcut is quicker to reach than opening a program.
Saving screenshots as files instead of clipboard copies
When you press Print Screen alone, the image goes only to your clipboard — it disappears if you copy something else, and it's gone when you restart your computer. To save a screenshot as a permanent file, use one of these methods instead.
The Snipping Tool and Windows key + Shift + S both let you save directly. With Snipping Tool, after you capture, click File > Save As and choose where to store it. With Windows key + Shift + S, click the notification that appears and use the Save button in the editor. Both default to PNG format, which preserves quality and works in any image viewer.
If you prefer Print Screen because it's faster, paste the image into Paint (search for it in Windows), then go to File > Save As and choose your location and format. This adds one extra step but keeps your workflow simple.
Capturing a single window instead of the whole screen
If you want only one open window — say, a browser tab or a document — without the taskbar and other windows behind it, use Alt + Print Screen. This copies only the active window (whichever one is in focus) to your clipboard. Paste it the same way you would a full-screen capture.
Alternatively, use Windows key + Shift + S and select the window capture option (the third icon in the toolbar). Hover over the window you want and click it — the tool captures just that window with clean edges.
Screenshots of scrolling content and multiple pages
Standard screenshot tools capture only what's visible on screen. If you need to capture a long webpage or document that requires scrolling, the built-in tools won't do it in one shot — you'll need to take multiple screenshots and stitch them together, or use a browser extension.
For webpages specifically, most browsers have built-in screenshot tools. In Microsoft Edge or Chrome, right-click anywhere on the page and select "Take a screenshot" or "Capture page". You can then choose to capture the visible area or the entire page, and the browser saves it automatically.
For documents in Word or PDF readers, the simplest approach is usually to export or print to PDF instead, which preserves the full document in one file without needing screenshots at all.
Troubleshooting when Print Screen doesn't work
If you press Print Screen and nothing happens, the most common cause is that a program has taken over the key — some games and specialized software disable it. Try using Snipping Tool or Windows key + Shift + S instead; these are harder for programs to block.
On some HP EliteBooks, especially older models, the Print Screen key might be combined with another function and require the Fn key. Try Fn + Print Screen or Fn + PrtScn. Check your keyboard layout — the key might be labeled differently depending on your model.
If Snipping Tool won't open, make sure you're typing the full name in Windows search. If Windows key + Shift + S doesn't work, your version of Windows might be older than Windows 10 — update Windows through Settings > Update & Security to get the latest screenshot features.
Where screenshots are stored and how to find them
When you save a screenshot using Snipping Tool or Windows key + Shift + S, you choose the location yourself — it doesn't go to a default folder. Most people save to Documents or Desktop so they can find it easily.
If you took a screenshot and forgot where you saved it, open File Explorer and use the search box in the top right. Search for the file type — type "*.png" to find all PNG files, or search by the date you created it if you remember roughly when.
Screenshots you paste from the clipboard (using Print Screen) don't exist as files until you save them in another program. If you pasted into Word or email and didn't save the document, the screenshot is lost when you close the program.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take a screenshot of just the taskbar or menu?
Yes. Use Windows key + Shift + S and select the rectangular capture tool, then drag around just the area you want. Or use Snipping Tool and select the freehand option to draw around an irregular shape like a menu.
What's the difference between PNG and JPG for screenshots?
PNG is better for screenshots because it preserves sharp text and doesn't compress the image. JPG compresses more, making file sizes smaller but text can look blurry. For screenshots, always choose PNG if the program offers it.
How do I take a screenshot of something that disappears when I click?
Use Snipping Tool and click New, but don't click anything else yet — just hover over the thing you want to capture. The tool stays active until you drag to select, so you can move your mouse to trigger a menu or dropdown, then drag around it to capture.
Can I edit a screenshot after I take it?
Yes. Open the screenshot file in Paint (right-click the file and select Open With > Paint), or use any photo editor. Windows key + Shift + S also opens a quick editor automatically where you can crop, draw, or erase before saving.
Is there a way to automatically save screenshots to a specific folder?
Not with the built-in tools — you choose the location each time. If you want screenshots to go to one folder automatically, use a third-party tool like ShareX (free) or Greenshot (free), which let you set a default save location.