Updated October 2026 · Steps checked on Windows 11 and Windows 10
Quick answer: Press Windows + PrtScn to take a full screenshot on a Lenovo laptop. It saves automatically to Pictures → Screenshots. To capture just part of the screen, press Windows + Shift + S. If nothing happens, try Fn + Windows + PrtScn.
Whether you use a Lenovo IdeaPad, ThinkPad, Yoga, Legion, or any other Lenovo model, there are 6 built-in ways to capture your screen on Windows 10 and Windows 11, with no extra software needed.
In this guide you’ll find every method, where your screenshots are saved, what to do if screenshots aren’t working, and answers to the most common questions.
Method 1: Windows Key + PrtScn (Full Screen, Saves Automatically)
This is the fastest way to take a screenshot on a Lenovo laptop and have it saved automatically.
Steps:
- Open the screen you want to capture
- Press Windows key + PrtScn at the same time
- Your screen will briefly dim. That confirms the screenshot was taken.
- Open File Explorer → This PC → Pictures → Screenshots
- Your screenshot is saved there as a PNG file
Tip: If your screen doesn’t dim, try Fn + Windows key + PrtScn. On many Lenovo laptops, PrtScn shares a key with another function.
Also read: How to Screenshot on Lenovo ThinkPad
Method 2: PrtScn Key (Opens Snip Tool on Windows 11)
What the PrtScn key does depends on your Windows version.
On Windows 11 (most Lenovo laptops sold since 2022), pressing PrtScn opens the snip toolbar at the top of the screen:
- Press the PrtScn key (usually in the top row of your Lenovo keyboard)
- The screen dims and a small toolbar appears
- Choose Rectangle, Window, Full screen, or Freeform
- Your screenshot is copied to the clipboard, and a preview pops up in the corner. Click it to edit or save.
On Windows 10, pressing PrtScn copies the full screen to your clipboard with no visible sign:
- Press PrtScn
- Open Paint, Word, or Gmail
- Press Ctrl + V to paste, then save with Ctrl + S
Want PrtScn to copy instantly instead (Windows 11)? Go to Settings → Accessibility → Keyboard and turn off “Use the Print screen key to open screen capture.”
Nothing happens? On many IdeaPad and Yoga models PrtScn is a secondary function. Try Fn + PrtScn.
Method 3: Windows + Shift + S (Select Any Part of the Screen)
This is the most popular and flexible way to take a partial screenshot on a Lenovo laptop.
Steps:
- Press Windows + Shift + S at the same time
- Your screen dims and a small toolbar appears at the top
- Choose your capture type:
- Rectangle: drag to select any area of the screen
- Freeform: draw any shape you want
- Window: click to capture one open window
- Full screen: captures the entire screen instantly
- The screenshot is copied to your clipboard automatically
- A notification pops up in the bottom-right corner. Click it to save or annotate.
Best for: Capturing part of the screen or sharing quickly without saving a full file.
Also read: How to Screenshot on Dell Laptop
Method 4: Alt + PrtScn (Active Window Only)
This captures only the window you’re working in, without the taskbar, desktop background, or other open windows.
Steps:
- Click on the window you want to screenshot to make it active
- Press Alt + PrtScn at the same time
- Open Paint or any image editor
- Press Ctrl + V to paste the screenshot
- Save the file
Best for: Capturing one app window cleanly, without background clutter.
Method 5: Snipping Tool (Built-in Windows App)
The Snipping Tool is a screenshot app built into Windows 10 and Windows 11. It gives you more control, including a timer delay.
Steps:
- Press the Start button and type Snipping Tool
- Open the app and click New (on Windows 11 it’s + New)
- Select the area of the screen you want to capture
- The screenshot opens in the Snipping Tool editor
- Crop or annotate if needed, then press Ctrl + S (or click the save icon) to save it
Tip: Use the Delay option to capture a dropdown menu or tooltip. Set a 3 or 5 second delay, click New, then open the menu before the timer runs out.
Method 6: Game Bar (Windows + G)
The Xbox Game Bar is built into Windows and works on every Lenovo laptop, not just for gaming. It saves screenshots automatically.
Steps:
- Press Windows + G to open the Game Bar overlay
- Click the camera icon in the Capture widget, or press Windows + Alt + PrtScn
- Your screenshot is saved automatically in This PC → Videos → Captures
Best for: Games on your Lenovo Legion, full-screen apps, or any time other shortcuts aren’t responding.
How to Screenshot on a Lenovo Yoga in Tablet Mode
Lenovo Yoga laptops fold into tablet mode, where the keyboard isn’t usable. If your Yoga has physical volume buttons, press Power + Volume Down at the same time to take a full screenshot. It saves to Pictures → Screenshots.
You can also tap the pen or touch keyboard and use the Snipping Tool, or press Windows + Shift + S on the on-screen keyboard.
Lenovo Laptop Screenshot Shortcuts: Quick Reference
| Method | Shortcut | Saves Automatically? | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full screen + auto save | Windows + PrtScn | ✅ Yes | Quickest full screenshot |
| PrtScn key | PrtScn | ❌ Win 11: snip toolbar, Win 10: clipboard | Quick captures |
| Select any area | Windows + Shift + S | ❌ Save from notification | Partial screen capture |
| Active window only | Alt + PrtScn | ❌ Paste manually | One clean window |
| Snipping Tool | Start → Snipping Tool | ❌ Save manually | Editing and delayed snips |
| Game Bar | Windows + G | ✅ Yes | Games and full-screen apps |
Where Are Screenshots Saved on Lenovo Laptop?
The location depends on which method you used:
- Windows + PrtScn → saved automatically in This PC → Pictures → Screenshots
- Game Bar (Windows + G) → saved automatically in This PC → Videos → Captures
- PrtScn alone → Windows 11: opens the snip toolbar, then copies to clipboard. Windows 10: copies to clipboard. Paste and save.
- Alt + PrtScn → copied to clipboard only. Paste into an app and save.
- Windows + Shift + S → copied to clipboard. Click the notification to open, edit, and save.
- Snipping Tool → you choose the save location when you save
Screenshot Not Working on Lenovo Laptop? Try These Fixes
Fix 1: Use Fn + PrtScn
On many Lenovo IdeaPad and Yoga models, PrtScn needs the Fn key. Press Fn + PrtScn and try again.
Fix 2: Check If Fn Lock Is On
Lenovo laptops have an Fn Lock feature that changes how the top-row keys behave. On most models, press Fn + Esc to toggle it. A small light on the Esc key shows when it’s on. Then try your screenshot shortcut again.
Fix 3: Use Windows + Shift + S as a Backup
If PrtScn doesn’t respond at all, press Windows + Shift + S. It works on every Lenovo laptop regardless of keyboard layout or Fn settings.
Fix 4: Check If OneDrive Is Saving Your Screenshots
On some Lenovo laptops, OneDrive saves screenshots to the cloud instead of your Pictures folder. If your screenshots seem to disappear, open OneDrive Settings → Backup and check where screenshots are being saved.
Fix 5: Update Your Keyboard Driver
An outdated driver can stop PrtScn from responding. Go to Device Manager → Keyboards, right-click your keyboard, choose Update driver, and follow the steps.
Fix 6: Check Lenovo Vantage
Most Lenovo laptops come with Lenovo Vantage. Open it from the Start menu and check the keyboard settings. Some settings there can change how the top-row keys behave.
Fix 7: Restart Your Lenovo Laptop
A simple restart fixes most temporary screenshot problems. Save your work, restart, and try again.
Screenshot Guides for Other Laptops
Using a different laptop too? These guides cover each brand’s keyboard layout and shortcuts:
- How to Screenshot on Lenovo ThinkPad
- How to Screenshot on Lenovo IdeaPad
- How to Screenshot on Dell Laptop
- How to Screenshot on Dell XPS
- How to Screenshot on HP Laptop
- How to Screenshot on HP Pavilion
- How to Screenshot on Asus Laptop
- How to Screenshot on Acer Laptop
- How to Screenshot on Microsoft Surface Laptop
- How to Take a Screenshot on Mac
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I screenshot on Lenovo laptop Windows 11?
Press Windows + PrtScn to take a full screenshot that saves automatically to Pictures → Screenshots. To capture part of the screen, press Windows + Shift + S.
How do I screenshot on Lenovo laptop Windows 10?
The same shortcuts work on Windows 10. Press Windows + PrtScn for a full auto-saved screenshot, or Windows + Shift + S to capture a selected area.
Where do screenshots go on Lenovo laptop?
Screenshots taken with Windows + PrtScn save to This PC → Pictures → Screenshots. Screenshots taken with PrtScn alone or Windows + Shift + S are copied to the clipboard, so paste them into an app and save.
How do I screenshot on Lenovo ThinkPad?
Press Windows + PrtScn for a full screenshot or Windows + Shift + S for part of the screen. See our full Lenovo ThinkPad screenshot guide for where the PrtSc key is on ThinkPad keyboards.
How do I screenshot on Lenovo IdeaPad?
Press Windows + PrtScn to take a full screenshot that saves to Pictures → Screenshots. If that doesn’t work, try Fn + Windows + PrtScn, since some IdeaPad models need the Fn key.
How do I screenshot on Lenovo laptop without a Print Screen key?
Press Windows + Shift + S to capture any part of the screen. It works on every Lenovo laptop. You can also open the On-Screen Keyboard (search “osk” in the Start menu) and click its PrtScn button.
How do I take a screenshot on Lenovo Chromebook?
On a Lenovo Chromebook, press Ctrl + Show Windows key (the rectangle with two lines) to capture the full screen. Press Ctrl + Shift + Show Windows key to capture only part of the screen.
How do I take a scrolling screenshot on Lenovo laptop?
Windows doesn’t have a built-in scrolling screenshot. The easiest option is Microsoft Edge: open the page, press Ctrl + Shift + S, and choose Capture full page. For apps other than the browser, the free tool ShareX has a scrolling capture mode.
Also Read: How to Take a Scrolling Screenshot on Windows
Arslan Jaffar is the founder of Screenshot Geek. He writes simple, step-by-step guides for phones, laptops, and tablets, covering screenshots on Samsung, iPhone, Pixel, Dell, HP, Lenovo, and Mac, plus troubleshooting fixes, tips and tricks, top 5 lists, and the latest tech news. His goal is to make technology simple, so you can find the right answer in seconds.