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

Updated October 2026 · Steps checked on Windows 11 and Windows 10

Quick answer: Press Windows + PrtScn to take a full screenshot on a Microsoft Surface. It saves automatically to Pictures → Screenshots. To capture part of the screen, press Windows + Shift + S. No PrtScn key? Press Fn + Windows + Space.

Whether you use a Surface Laptop, Surface Pro, Surface Go, Surface Laptop Studio, or Surface Book, there are 6 built-in ways to capture your screen on Windows 10 and Windows 11, including methods that use the Surface Pen and the tablet buttons.

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 method, and it saves your screenshot automatically.

Steps:

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

No PrtScn key on your Surface keyboard? Press Fn + Windows + Space instead. Microsoft lists this as the screenshot shortcut for keyboards without a Print Screen key. On some older Surface Type Covers, Fn + Space also works as Print Screen.

Also read: How to Screenshot on Dell Laptop

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

This is the most flexible method. It lets you capture exactly the area you want, and it works on every Surface keyboard.

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 is copied 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 (Surface Pro, Surface Laptop Studio, Surface Book)

If you use a Surface Pen, you can take a screenshot without touching the keyboard.

Steps:

  1. Open the screen you want to capture
  2. Double-click the top button (the eraser end) of your Surface Pen
  3. The snip toolbar opens. Select the area you want with the pen.
  4. The screenshot opens in the Snipping Tool, where you can draw on it and save

Pen not taking screenshots? The double-click action can be changed. Go to Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Pen & Windows Ink → Pen shortcuts and set Double-click to Screen snipping. Your pen must also be paired in Bluetooth & devices.

Method 4: PrtScn Key (Opens Snip Tool on Windows 11)

What the PrtScn key does depends on your Windows version.

On Windows 11 (all recent Surface devices), pressing PrtScn opens the snip toolbar at the top of the screen:

  1. Press the PrtScn key (or Fn + PrtScn if it shares a key)
  2. The screen dims and a small toolbar appears
  3. Choose Rectangle, Window, Full screen, or Freeform
  4. 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:

  1. Press PrtScn
  2. Open Paint, Word, or Gmail
  3. 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.”

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

The Snipping Tool gives you more control, including a timer delay that’s perfect for menus and tooltips. It also works well with touch and the Surface Pen.

Steps:

  1. Press the Start button and type Snipping Tool
  2. Open the app and tap New (on Windows 11 it’s + New)
  3. Select the area you want to capture
  4. The screenshot opens in the Snipping Tool editor
  5. Crop or draw on it if needed, then press Ctrl + S (or tap the save icon) to save it

Tip: Use the Delay option to capture a dropdown menu. Set a 3 or 5 second delay, tap New, then open the menu before the timer runs out.

Method 6: Game Bar (Windows + G)

The Xbox Game Bar works on every Surface, not just for gaming. It’s a good backup when other methods don’t respond.

Steps:

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

Best for: Full-screen apps and games.

How to Screenshot on Surface Pro or Surface Go in Tablet Mode

When your Surface Pro or Surface Go is used as a tablet, with the keyboard folded back or removed, press Power + Volume Up at the same time. The screen dims briefly, and the screenshot saves to Pictures → Screenshots.

Note: Surface Laptop doesn’t have volume buttons, so use the keyboard shortcuts above instead.

Microsoft Surface Screenshot Shortcuts: Quick Reference

MethodShortcutSaves Automatically?Best For
Full screen + auto saveWindows + PrtScn✅ YesQuickest full screenshot
No PrtScn keyFn + Windows + Space✅ YesSurface keyboards without PrtScn
Select any areaWindows + Shift + S❌ Save from notificationPartial screen capture
Surface PenDouble-click top button❌ Save from Snipping ToolPen users
PrtScn keyPrtScn❌ Win 11: snip toolbar, Win 10: clipboardQuick captures
Tablet modePower + Volume Up✅ YesSurface Pro and Go as a tablet
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, Fn + Windows + Space, or tablet buttons → saved automatically to This PC → Pictures → Screenshots
  • Game Bar → saved automatically to This PC → Videos → Captures
  • PrtScn alone → Windows 11: opens the snip toolbar, then copies to clipboard. Windows 10: copies to clipboard. Paste and save.
  • Windows + Shift + S → copied to clipboard. Click the notification to save.
  • Surface Pen → opens in the Snipping Tool. Save from there.
  • Snipping Tool → you choose the save location when you save

Screenshot Not Working on Microsoft Surface? Try These Fixes

Fix 1: Try Fn + PrtScn or Fn + Windows + Space

Some Surface keyboards don’t have a dedicated PrtScn key, or share it with another function. Try Fn + PrtScn, or Fn + Windows + Space if there’s no PrtScn key at all.

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

If nothing else responds, press Windows + Shift + S. It works on every Surface regardless of keyboard and doesn’t need the PrtScn key.

Fix 3: Check Your Surface Pen

If the pen shortcut doesn’t work, check that the pen is charged (Surface Slim Pen) or has a working battery (older Surface Pens use an AAAA battery). Make sure it’s paired in Settings → Bluetooth & devices, and check the double-click setting under Pen & Windows Ink.

Fix 4: Check If OneDrive Is Saving Your Screenshots

On some Surface devices, 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: Turn On Game Bar

If Windows + G doesn’t open the Game Bar, it may be turned off. Go to Settings → Gaming → Xbox Game Bar and make sure it’s on.

Fix 6: Update Your Surface

Outdated drivers or firmware can stop keyboard shortcuts from working. Go to Settings → Windows Update and install all updates. Surface firmware and driver updates come through Windows Update.

Fix 7: Restart Your Surface

A simple restart fixes most temporary 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:

For drivers, manuals, and repairs, visit Microsoft Surface Support.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I screenshot on Microsoft Surface?

Press Windows + PrtScn to take a full screenshot that saves automatically, or Windows + Shift + S to select an area. If your keyboard has no PrtScn key, press Fn + Windows + Space.

Where do screenshots go on Microsoft Surface?

Screenshots taken with Windows + PrtScn, Fn + Windows + Space, or the tablet buttons save to This PC → Pictures → Screenshots. Screenshots taken with PrtScn alone or Windows + Shift + S are copied to the clipboard, so save them yourself.

How do I screenshot on Surface Pro?

With the keyboard attached, press Windows + PrtScn, or Fn + Windows + Space if there’s no PrtScn key. As a tablet, press Power + Volume Up. With a Surface Pen, double-click the top button.

How do I screenshot on Surface Laptop?

Press Windows + PrtScn to capture and save the full screen, or Windows + Shift + S to capture a specific area. Surface Laptop has no volume buttons, so the tablet shortcut doesn’t apply.

How do I screenshot on Surface Go?

Press Windows + PrtScn with the Type Cover attached, or Fn + Windows + Space if there’s no PrtScn key. As a tablet, press Power + Volume Up.

How do I screenshot on Surface without a keyboard?

On a Surface Pro or Surface Go, press Power + Volume Up at the same time. The screenshot saves to Pictures → Screenshots. You can also use the Surface Pen or open the Snipping Tool with touch.

How do I take a scrolling screenshot on Microsoft Surface?

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

How do I screenshot on Surface Book?

Press Windows + PrtScn with the keyboard attached, or double-click your Surface Pen’s top button. With the screen detached, use the Surface Pen or Windows + Shift + S on the touch keyboard.

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