How to Screenshot on HP 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 an HP laptop. It saves automatically to Pictures → Screenshots. To capture just part of the screen, press Windows + Shift + S.

Whether you use an HP Pavilion, HP Spectre, HP Envy, HP EliteBook, HP Omen, or any other HP model, there are 6 built-in ways to capture your screen on Windows 10 and Windows 11, with no extra apps 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 quickest way to take a screenshot on HP laptop and have it saved automatically without pasting anything.

Steps:

1. Open the screen you want to capture
2. Press Windows key + PrtScn at the same time
3. Your screen will dim briefly — this confirms the screenshot was 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, press Fn + Windows key + PrtScn instead — some HP models require the Fn key.

---

Also read: How to screenshot on Pavilion

Method 2: PrtScn Key (Opens Snip Tool on Windows 11)

What the PrtScn key does depends on your Windows version.

On Windows 11 (most HP laptops sold since 2022), pressing PrtScn opens the snip toolbar at the top of the screen:

1. Press the PrtScn key (usually top-right of your HP keyboard, near Delete)
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

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 HP models PrtScn shares a key with another function. Try Fn + PrtScn.

---

Method 3: Windows + Shift + S (Select Any Part of the Screen)

This is the most popular method for taking a partial screenshot on HP laptop. It lets you choose exactly what area to capture.

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 the entire screen
4. The screenshot is automatically copied to your clipboard
5. A notification pops up in the bottom-right corner — click it to save or edit

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

---

Also Read: How to screenshot on Dell laptop

Method 4: Alt + PrtScn (Active Window Only)

This method captures only the window you are currently working in — without the taskbar, desktop or background.

Steps:

1. Click on the window you want to screenshot
2. Press Alt + PrtScn at the same time
3. Open Paint or any image editor
4. Press Ctrl + V to paste the screenshot
5. Save the file

Best for: Capturing a single app window cleanly without anything else in the background.

---

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

The Snipping Tool is a dedicated screenshot app built into Windows 10 and Windows 11. It gives you more control including a timer delay.

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 inside the Snipping Tool editor
5. Click File → Save As to save it wherever you want

Tip: Click Delay before taking the snip if you need to screenshot a dropdown menu or tooltip that disappears when you click elsewhere.

---

Method 6: Game Bar (Windows + G)

The Game Bar is built into Windows and works on all HP laptops — not just for games. It saves screenshots automatically.

Steps:

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

Best for: Capturing full-screen apps, games, or video content where other methods sometimes miss the screen.

---

HP Laptop Screenshot Shortcuts — Quick Reference

Method	Shortcut	Saves Automatically?	Best For
Full screen + auto save	Windows + PrtScn	✅ Yes	Quickest full screenshot
Copy to clipboard	PrtScn	❌ Paste manually	Pasting into docs or email
Select any area	Windows + Shift + S	❌ Save from notification	Partial screen capture
Active window only	Alt + PrtScn	❌ Paste manually	Capturing one window
Snipping Tool	Windows + S → Snipping Tool	❌ Save manually	Editing and delayed snips
Game Bar	Windows + G	✅ Yes	Games and full-screen apps

---

Where Are Screenshots Saved on HP Laptop?

It depends on which method you used:

• Windows + PrtScn → Screenshots saved automatically in This PC → Pictures → Screenshots
• Game Bar (Windows + G) → Screenshots saved automatically in This PC → Videos → Captures
• PrtScn alone / Alt + PrtScn → Screenshot copied to clipboard only — you must paste it into an app and save manually
• Windows + Shift + S → Screenshot copied to clipboard — click the notification to open and save it
• Snipping Tool → You choose where to save it when you click Save As

---

Screenshot Not Working on HP Laptop? Try These Fixes

Fix 1: Use Fn + PrtScn Instead of PrtScn

Many HP laptops require the Fn key to activate the Print Screen function. Press Fn + PrtScn instead of PrtScn alone and try again.

Fix 2: Check If Fn Lock Is On

If your HP keyboard has an Fn Lock key (or Fn + Esc), it may be locking the function keys. Press Fn + Esc to toggle Fn Lock off and then try your screenshot shortcut again.

Fix 3: Use Windows + Shift + S as a Backup

If PrtScn is completely unresponsive, press Windows + Shift + S — this works on every HP laptop regardless of keyboard layout or Fn key settings and is the most reliable backup method.

Fix 4: Check If OneDrive Is Intercepting Screenshots

On some HP laptops OneDrive is set to automatically save screenshots. If your screenshots are disappearing, check OneDrive Settings → Backup → Screenshots to see if it is saving them to OneDrive instead of your local Pictures folder.

Fix 5: Update Your Keyboard Driver

Go to Device Manager → Keyboards → right-click your keyboard → Update driver. An outdated driver can cause PrtScn and other keys to stop working.

Fix 6: Restart Your HP Laptop

A simple restart fixes the majority of temporary screenshot issues including unresponsive keyboard shortcuts. Save your work and restart before trying anything else.

---

Screenshot Guides for Other Laptops

Using a different laptop too? These guides cover each brand’s keyboard layout and shortcuts:

• How to Screenshot on HP Pavilion
• How to Screenshot on Dell Laptop
• How to Screenshot on Lenovo Laptop
• How to Screenshot on Lenovo ThinkPad
• 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