Screenshots are an essential tool for many PC users, especially when you need to save visual information, share images, or document what you see on the screen. If you have an HP laptop with Windows, you can take screenshots in several ways without needing additional software. Whether you're playing video games, browsing a webpage, or watching a video, here we explain how to take screenshots in different scenarios, and where those images are saved so you can easily access them.
Methods for capturing the screen on an HP laptop with Windows
1. Full screen capture with the "Print Screen" key
One of the quickest and simplest ways to capture what appears on the screen is by using the "Print Screen" key (also called PrtSc or Print Screen). This key is located at the top of your HP laptop's keyboard. When you press it:
You capture the entire screen and the image is saved to the clipboard.
To view or edit the capture, open a program like Microsoft Word, Paint, or any image editor and paste the capture with Ctrl+V.
2. Capture only the active window
If you only want to capture a specific window, such as an application or a game, and not the entire screen, press Alt + Print Screen at the same time. This will copy only the active window, and you can paste it into any editing program of your choice.
3. Capture with "Windows + Print Screen"
If you're using Windows 8, 10, or 11, you can have the screenshot automatically saved as a file without having to paste it into another program.
Just press Windows + Print Screen.
The capture is saved directly in the Pictures > Screenshots folder on your PC.
Screenshots in different situations
Screenshots are not only useful for showing what you see on the screen, but they can also be used in a variety of contexts. Here are some examples:
1. Screenshots in video games
If you're a gamer and want to capture epic moments or glitches in a game, taking a screenshot is one of the quickest ways to save them. While playing, just press Windows + Print Screen to save the capture.
If you use Steam, you can also capture screens directly from the platform by pressing F12, and these captures will automatically be saved in your Steam captures folder.
2. Screenshots of web pages
When browsing the Internet and you find something interesting or important, you can easily capture the screen with Print Screen.
If you need to capture only part of the page or a specific region, use the Snip & Sketch tool (Windows + Shift + S) to select the exact area you want to capture.
3. Screenshots of videos
If you're watching a video and need to capture a scene, you can use Print Screen or Windows + Shift + S to snip the part of the video you want to save.
If you're using applications like YouTube, simply pause the video at the frame you're interested in and take the capture.
Advanced methods: Customize your screenshots
1. Snipping Tool (Windows 7, 8, 10, and 11)
The Snipping Tool allows you to make customized captures and is ideal if you want to select specific areas of the screen. To use it:
Open the Snipping Tool from the start menu or search bar.
Click New to start the capture and select one of the following options:
Rectangular: Select a rectangular region of the screen.
Freeform: Draw a shape freely to capture what you need.
Window: Capture a specific window.
Full screen: Capture the entire screen immediately.
2. Schedule a capture with a timer
If you need time to prepare what you're going to capture (for example, opening a menu in an application or game), you can schedule a timer.
In the Snipping Tool, click the arrow next to the New button and select a timer of 3 or 10 seconds. This will give you time to organize what you're going to capture.
3. Editing and saving captures
Once you've made the capture with the Snipping Tool, you can add annotations, highlight areas, or draw on the image.
When you finish editing, click Save As and choose the format and location to store the image.
Where are screenshots saved on an HP laptop with Windows?
Screenshots can be saved in different places depending on the method used:
"Print Screen" key (without Windows): Captures are saved to the clipboard, so you'll need to paste the image into a program to save it manually.
Windows + Print Screen: The capture is automatically saved as a PNG file in the Pictures > Screenshots folder.
Snipping Tool: Captures made with this tool are not saved automatically. You'll need to click "Save As" to choose where to save them and in what format.
Useful tips to improve your screenshots on an HP laptop with Windows
Keyboard shortcuts: Learning to use shortcuts like Windows + Shift + S (to select areas of the screen) or Ctrl+V (to paste) can make the process much faster.
External tools: If you need more features or want to quickly share your captures, consider using applications like Snagit, Lightshot, or Greenshot. These tools offer advanced editing and storage options.
