The fastest way to capture your screen on Lenovo

On most Lenovo computers, you can take a screenshot using the Print Screen key (often labeled PrtScn) or the Windows key + Shift + S combination. The Print Screen key captures your entire screen and copies it to your clipboard, while Windows key + Shift + S opens a tool that lets you select just the part you want before saving it. Both methods work on Lenovo laptops and desktops running Windows.

The method you choose depends on what you're trying to capture. If you need the whole screen fast, Print Screen is quickest. If you only need a portion — like a single window or a specific area — the Windows key + Shift + S method gives you more control and saves the image directly to your computer instead of just copying it to your clipboard.

Key Takeaways

  • Press Print Screen alone to copy your entire screen to the clipboard, then paste it into any document or image editor.
  • Press Windows key + Shift + S to open a selection tool that lets you capture just part of your screen and automatically saves it.
  • On Lenovo laptops with a function key row, you may need to hold Fn + Print Screen if Print Screen is a secondary function.
  • Screenshots taken with Print Screen go to your clipboard only — you must paste them somewhere to save them as a file.
  • The Windows Snipping Tool (search for "Snip" in your Start menu) offers additional options like drawing on screenshots and setting a timer before capture.

Using Print Screen for a full-screen capture

The Print Screen key is the simplest method if you want to capture everything on your monitor. Press the key once — you won't see any visual feedback, but the image is now copied to your clipboard. The key is usually located in the upper right area of your keyboard, often near the Delete or End key.

After pressing Print Screen, open the program where you want to paste the image. This could be Microsoft Word, Paint, an email, or any document editor. Right-click and select Paste, or use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + V. The screenshot will appear in your document. If you want to save it as its own image file, paste it into Paint (search for "Paint" in your Start menu), then go to File and select Save As.

On some Lenovo laptops, the Print Screen function is secondary to another key. If pressing Print Screen alone doesn't work, try holding Fn + Print Screen instead. The Fn key is usually in the lower left corner of your keyboard.

Using Windows key + Shift + S for partial screenshots

This method opens the Snipping Tool interface and lets you select exactly what you want to capture. Press Windows key + Shift + S together. Your screen will dim slightly and your cursor will change to a crosshair. Click and drag to draw a rectangle around the area you want to capture, then release the mouse button.

The screenshot is automatically copied to your clipboard and a small notification appears in the lower right corner of your screen. Click that notification to open the image in the Snipping Tool, where you can draw on it, crop it further, or save it as a file. If you don't click the notification, the image stays in your clipboard and you can paste it into any document using Ctrl + V.

This method is faster than Print Screen if you only need part of your screen, because the image is ready to use immediately without needing to paste it into another program first.

Capturing a single window with Alt + Print Screen

If you want to capture only the window you're currently working in — not the entire screen — use Alt + Print Screen. This copies just the active window to your clipboard. The window must be in focus (meaning it's the one you're actively using) for this to work.

After pressing Alt + Print Screen, paste the image the same way you would with a regular Print Screen capture: open a document or image editor and use Ctrl + V. This method is useful when you're working with multiple windows open and don't want to capture the clutter in the background.

Using the Snipping Tool for more options

The Snipping Tool is a built-in Windows program that offers more features than the basic Print Screen methods. Search for "Snip" or "Snipping Tool" in your Start menu and open it. You'll see options to capture a free-form shape, a rectangular area, a window, or your entire screen. You can also set a delay timer if you need a few seconds to prepare before the screenshot is taken.

After you capture an image with the Snipping Tool, it opens in an editor where you can draw on it with a pen or highlighter, erase parts of it, or crop it. You can then save it as a PNG, GIF, or JPEG file by going to File and selecting Save As. This tool is helpful if you need to annotate your screenshot or save multiple images in a specific format.

Saving screenshots as files instead of clipboard copies

When you use Print Screen or Alt + Print Screen, the image goes to your clipboard, which means it disappears if you copy something else. To keep a permanent copy, you need to save it as a file. The easiest way is to paste it into Paint, then save it from there.

Open Paint (search for "Paint" in your Start menu), paste your screenshot using Ctrl + V, then go to File and select Save As. Choose where you want to save the file, give it a name, and select your file format. PNG is a good choice because it keeps the image quality without making the file too large. If you use the Windows key + Shift + S method, you can click the notification that appears and save directly from the Snipping Tool instead.

Troubleshooting when screenshots aren't working

If Print Screen isn't capturing anything, check whether the Fn key is required on your Lenovo model. Try Fn + Print Screen instead. If that doesn't work, your Print Screen key might be mapped to a different function — look at the key itself to see if there's a small icon that suggests what it does.

If Windows key + Shift + S opens nothing, make sure you're using the correct Windows key (usually on the lower left of your keyboard, between Ctrl and Alt). Try the combination slowly if you're pressing all three keys at once. If the Snipping Tool still won't open, search for "Snip" in your Start menu and open it manually, then use the capture button inside the program.

On very new Lenovo models, you might have a dedicated screenshot button or a custom key that your manufacturer set up. Check your keyboard for any button with a camera or screenshot icon, or look in your Lenovo Control Center (search for it in your Start menu) to see if a custom key is assigned.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do my screenshots go when I press Print Screen?

They go to your clipboard, which is temporary storage in your computer's memory. You must paste them into a document or image editor to see them. If you copy something else, the screenshot is replaced and lost. Use Windows key + Shift + S instead if you want screenshots saved automatically.

Can I take a screenshot of just one window?

Yes. Press Alt + Print Screen while the window you want is active (in focus). This captures only that window and copies it to your clipboard. You can also use Windows key + Shift + S and manually select just the window area you need.

What's the difference between Print Screen and Windows key + Shift + S?

Print Screen captures your entire screen and copies it to your clipboard. Windows key + Shift + S lets you select a specific area, and the image is saved automatically so you don't lose it if you copy something else. Windows key + Shift + S is usually faster if you only need part of your screen.

My Print Screen key isn't working — what should I try?

On many Lenovo laptops, Print Screen is a secondary function. Hold Fn + Print Screen instead. If that doesn't work, try Windows key + Shift + S, which works on all Windows computers. You can also search for "Snipping Tool" in your Start menu and use that program directly.

Can I draw or write on my screenshot after I take it?

Yes, if you use Windows key + Shift + S or the Snipping Tool. Both open an editor where you can use a pen or highlighter to draw on the image before saving it. If you use Print Screen, you'll need to paste the image into Paint first, then use Paint's drawing tools.