How to Screenshot on Microsoft Surface Laptop (6 Easy Methods)

Want to take a screenshot on your Microsoft Surface? You are in the right place. The Microsoft Surface runs Windows 10 and Windows 11 and supports six different ways to capture your screen. Some methods use keyboard shortcuts. Others use the Surface Pen or touch gestures. This guide covers every method step by step so you can start capturing your screen in seconds.

Whether you use a Surface Pro, Surface Laptop, Surface Book, Surface Go or Surface Studio — all six methods work on every Surface device.

Method 1: Windows Key + PrtScn (Full Screen — Saves Automatically)

This is the fastest method. Furthermore, it saves your screenshot automatically without any extra steps.

Steps:

  1. Open the screen you want to capture
  2. Press Windows key + PrtScn at the same time
  3. Your screen dims briefly — this confirms the screenshot is taken
  4. Open File Explorer → This PC → Pictures → Screenshots
  5. Your screenshot is saved there as a PNG file

Tip: If your screen does not dim, try pressing Fn + Windows key + PrtScn instead. Some Surface models require the Fn key to activate Print Screen.

Method 2: Windows + Shift + S (Select Any Part of the Screen)

This is the most flexible method. In addition, it lets you capture exactly the area you want.

Steps:

  1. Press Windows + Shift + S at the same time
  2. Your screen dims and a small toolbar appears at the top
  3. Choose your capture type:
    • Rectangle — drag to select any area
    • Freeform — draw any shape you want
    • Window — click to capture one open window
    • Full screen — captures everything instantly
  4. The screenshot copies to your clipboard automatically
  5. A notification appears in the bottom-right corner — click it to save or edit

Best for: Capturing part of the screen or sharing quickly without saving a full file.

Method 3: Surface Pen Double-Click (Surface Pro and Surface Book)

This method is unique to Microsoft Surface devices. Moreover, it is the quickest way to screenshot if you use a Surface Pen.

Steps:

  1. Open the screen you want to capture
  2. Double-click the top button on your Surface Pen
  3. The screenshot opens directly in Snip & Sketch for editing
  4. Edit or annotate if needed, then tap Save to keep it

Note: This method works on Surface Pro and Surface Book with a Surface Pen. Make sure your Surface Pen is paired via Bluetooth in Settings before using it.

Method 4: PrtScn Key Only (Copies to Clipboard)

This method is simple and quick. However, it does not save the screenshot automatically.

Steps:

  1. Press the PrtScn key on your Surface keyboard
  2. Open Paint, Word or any other app
  3. Press Ctrl + V to paste the screenshot
  4. Save the file manually using Ctrl + S

Note: On some Surface Type Cover keyboards, the PrtScn key is a secondary function. If it does not work, try Fn + PrtScn instead.

Method 5: Snipping Tool (Built-in Windows App)

The Snipping Tool gives you full control over your screenshots. Additionally, it includes a timer delay — perfect for capturing menus and tooltips.

Steps:

  1. Press the Start button and type Snipping Tool
  2. Open the app and click New
  3. Select the area you want to capture
  4. The screenshot opens in the Snipping Tool editor
  5. Annotate or crop if needed, then click File → Save As

Tip: Use the Delay option if you need to capture a dropdown menu. 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 works on all Surface devices — not just for gaming. As a result, it is a great backup option when other methods are not responding.

Steps:

  1. Press Windows + G to open the Game Bar
  2. Click the camera icon in the Capture widget
  3. Or press Windows + Alt + PrtScn directly
  4. Your screenshot saves automatically in This PC → Videos → Captures

Best for: Capturing full-screen apps or games on Surface devices without interrupting what you are doing.

Microsoft Surface Screenshot Shortcuts — Quick Reference

MethodShortcutSaves Automatically?Best For
Full screen + auto saveWindows + PrtScn✅ YesQuickest full screenshot
Select any areaWindows + Shift + S❌ Save from notificationPartial screen capture
Surface PenDouble-click top button❌ Save from Snip & SketchSurface Pen users
Copy to clipboardPrtScn❌ Paste manuallyPasting into docs or email
Snipping ToolStart → Snipping Tool❌ Save manuallyEditing and delayed snips
Game BarWindows + G✅ YesGames and full-screen apps

Where Are Screenshots Saved on Microsoft Surface?

The save location depends on which method you used:

  • Windows + PrtScn → Saves automatically to This PC → Pictures → Screenshots
  • Game Bar → Saves automatically to This PC → Videos → Captures
  • PrtScn alone → Copies to clipboard only — paste and save manually
  • Windows + Shift + S → Copies to clipboard — click the notification to save
  • Surface Pen double-click → Opens in Snip & Sketch — save from there
  • Snipping Tool → You choose the save location when you click Save As

Screenshot Not Working on Microsoft Surface? Try These Fixes

Fix 1: Use Fn + PrtScn Instead of PrtScn

Many Surface Type Cover keyboards require the Fn key to activate Print Screen. Therefore, press Fn + PrtScn instead of PrtScn alone and try again.

Fix 2: Use Windows + Shift + S as a Backup

If PrtScn is completely unresponsive, press Windows + Shift + S instead. This method works on every Surface device regardless of keyboard layout. Furthermore, it does not require the PrtScn key at all.

Fix 3: Check Your Surface Pen Battery

If the Surface Pen double-click method is not working, the pen battery may be low. Replace the AAAA battery inside the pen and try again. Additionally, make sure the pen is paired correctly in Settings → Bluetooth & Devices.

Fix 4: Check If OneDrive Is Redirecting Screenshots

Some Surface devices have OneDrive set to save screenshots to the cloud automatically. As a result, your screenshots may not appear in the local Pictures folder. Open OneDrive Settings → Backup → Screenshots to check where they are going.

Fix 5: Enable Game Bar in Settings

If Windows + G does not open the Game Bar, it may be disabled. Go to Settings → Gaming → Xbox Game Bar and make sure it is turned on.

Fix 6: Update Your Surface Drivers

Outdated drivers can cause keyboard shortcuts to stop working. Go to Device Manager → Keyboards → right-click → Update driver. Additionally, check for Surface firmware updates in Settings → Windows Update as these often fix input-related bugs.

Fix 7: Restart Your Surface

A simple restart fixes most temporary issues. Save your work, restart your Surface and try taking a screenshot again.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I screenshot on Microsoft Surface? Press Windows + PrtScn to take a full screenshot and save it automatically. Alternatively, press Windows + Shift + S to select any area of the screen. Surface Pen users can also double-click the top pen button to capture and annotate instantly.

Where do screenshots go on Microsoft Surface? Screenshots taken with Windows + PrtScn save automatically to This PC → Pictures → Screenshots. Screenshots taken with PrtScn alone or Windows + Shift + S copy to the clipboard and must be saved manually.

How do I screenshot on Surface Pro? On Surface Pro, press Windows + PrtScn for a full auto-saved screenshot. Additionally, double-clicking the top button on your Surface Pen opens Snip & Sketch for instant capture and annotation.

How do I screenshot on Surface Laptop? On Surface Laptop, press Windows + PrtScn to capture and save the full screen automatically. Or press Windows + Shift + S to select and capture any specific area.

How do I screenshot on Surface Go? On Surface Go, press Windows + PrtScn for a full screenshot. If the keyboard does not have a PrtScn key, press Windows + Shift + S to open Snipping Tool instead.

How do I screenshot on Surface without a keyboard? If you use your Surface as a tablet without a keyboard, press the Power button + Volume Down button at the same time. This captures a full screenshot and saves it to Pictures → Screenshots automatically.

How do I take a scrolling screenshot on Microsoft Surface? Windows does not have a built-in scrolling screenshot tool. However, you can use a free app like ShareX or the GoFullPage browser extension to capture full web pages on your Surface.

How do I screenshot on Surface Book? On Surface Book, press Windows + PrtScn or use the Surface Pen double-click method. Both methods work whether the screen is attached or detached from the keyboard base.

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