How to Screenshot in Laptop: Easy Methods for Windows and Mac Users

Taking a screenshot on your laptop is a quick and useful way to capture what’s on your screen. Whether youre saving a web page, documenting an error, or sharing part of your screen with someone, knowing how to screenshot is an essential computer skill. In this article, we’ll walk you through the various methods on how to screenshot in a laptop, for both Windows and Mac users.


How to Screenshot on a Windows Laptop

Windows laptops offer several built-in methods to take screenshots, depending on your need:

1. Using the Print Screen (PrtScn) Key

  • Full-screen screenshot:
    Press PrtScn (Print Screen) to capture the entire screen.
    Then, paste the screenshot into an app like Paint or Word using Ctrl + V.

  • Active window only:
    Press Alt + PrtScn to capture only the currently active window.

  • Save screenshot directly to file:
    Press Windows + PrtScn. The screen will dim briefly, and the image will be saved automatically in the Screenshots folder under Pictures.

2. Using Snipping Tool

Snipping Tool is a built-in app on Windows that allows you to capture custom portions of your screen.

  • Open the Snipping Tool from the Start menu.

  • Click New, then drag to select the area you want to capture.

  • Edit or save the screenshot as needed.

3. Using Snip & Sketch or Snipping Tool (Windows 10/11)

  • Press Windows + Shift + S.

  • The screen will dim and your cursor will change.

  • Select the area to capture. The screenshot is copied to your clipboard and can be pasted into any application.


How to Screenshot on a Mac Laptop

MacBooks also have built-in screenshot capabilities that are simple and powerful:

1. Full-Screen Screenshot

  • Press Command (?) + Shift + 3.
    The screenshot is saved directly to your desktop.

2. Capture a Specific Area

  • Press Command (?) + Shift + 4.
    The cursor turns into a crosshair. Click and drag to select the area.

3. Screenshot a Specific Window

  • Press Command (?) + Shift + 4, then press the Spacebar.
    Click the window you want to capture.

4. Screenshot Toolbar (macOS Mojave and later)

  • Press Command (?) + Shift + 5.
    A toolbar appears with options to capture the full screen, a selected window, or a selected portion. You can also record your screen here.


Where Are Screenshots Saved?

  • Windows:
    Screenshots taken with Windows + PrtScn are saved in the Pictures > Screenshots folder.

  • Mac:
    By default, screenshots are saved to the desktop with filenames like Screen Shot [date] at [time].png.


Tips for Better Screenshot Management

  • Rename files for easy searching.

  • Use image editing software to annotate screenshots.

  • Organize screenshots into folders if you take them frequently.


Conclusion

Now that you know how to screenshot in a laptop using both Windows and Mac, you can easily capture, save, and share information right from your screen. Whether youre working, studying, or troubleshooting, these screenshot tools make your digital tasks more efficient and organized.

Ditulis Oleh Aji Firlana