Updated October 2026 · Steps checked on Windows 11 and Windows 10
Quick answer: Press Windows + PrtScn to take a full screenshot on a Lenovo ThinkPad. It saves automatically to Pictures → Screenshots. To capture just part of the screen, press Windows + Shift + S.
Whether you use a ThinkPad X1 Carbon, ThinkPad T14, ThinkPad E15, ThinkPad L13, or any other ThinkPad 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.
Where Is the PrtSc Key on a ThinkPad?
ThinkPad keyboards label it PrtSc. Depending on your model, you’ll find it either in the top row of keys or, on many older ThinkPads, in the bottom row between the right Alt and right Ctrl keys. If you can’t find it, every method below that uses Windows + Shift + S works without it.
Method 1: Windows Key + PrtScn (Full Screen, Saves Automatically)
This is the fastest method, and it saves your screenshot automatically with no extra steps.
Steps:
- Open the screen you want to capture
- Press Windows key + PrtScn at the same time
- Your screen dims briefly. 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 some ThinkPad models PrtSc shares a key with another function.
Also read: How to Screenshot on Lenovo 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.
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
- Freeform: draw any shape you want
- Window: click to capture one open window
- Full screen: captures everything instantly
- The screenshot is copied to your clipboard automatically
- 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: PrtScn Key (Opens Snip Tool on Windows 11)
What the PrtSc key does depends on your Windows version.
On Windows 11 (most ThinkPads sold since 2022), pressing PrtSc opens the snip toolbar at the top of the screen:
- Press the PrtSc key
- 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 PrtSc copies the full screen to your clipboard with no visible sign:
- Press PrtSc
- Open Paint, Word, or Gmail
- Press Ctrl + V to paste, then save with Ctrl + S
Want PrtSc to copy instantly instead (Windows 11)? Go to Settings → Accessibility → Keyboard and turn off “Use the Print screen key to open screen capture.”
Also read: How to Screenshot on Dell Laptop
Method 4: Alt + PrtScn (Active Window Only)
This captures only the window you’re working in, so your screenshot stays clean without any background clutter.
Steps:
- Click on the window you want to capture
- Press Alt + PrtScn at the same time
- Open Paint or any image editor
- Press Ctrl + V to paste
- Save the file with Ctrl + S
Best for: Capturing one window without the taskbar or desktop in the background.
Method 5: Snipping Tool (Built-in Windows App)
The Snipping Tool gives you more control over your screenshots, including a timer delay that’s perfect for menus and tooltips that disappear when you click.
Steps:
- Press the Start button and type Snipping Tool
- Open the app and click New (on Windows 11 it’s + New)
- Select the area you want to capture
- The screenshot opens in the 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. 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 every ThinkPad, not just for gaming. It saves screenshots automatically, with nothing to paste.
Steps:
- Press Windows + G to open the Game Bar
- Click the camera icon in the Capture widget, or press Windows + Alt + PrtScn directly
- Your screenshot is saved automatically in This PC → Videos → Captures
Best for: Capturing full-screen apps on your ThinkPad without interrupting what you’re doing.
Lenovo ThinkPad Screenshot Shortcuts: Quick Reference
| Method | Shortcut | Saves Automatically? | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full screen + auto save | Windows + PrtScn | ✅ Yes | Quickest full screenshot |
| Select any area | Windows + Shift + S | ❌ Save from notification | Partial screen capture |
| PrtSc key | PrtSc | ❌ Win 11: snip toolbar, Win 10: clipboard | Quick captures |
| 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 ThinkPad?
The save location depends on which method you used:
- Windows + PrtScn → saved automatically to This PC → Pictures → Screenshots
- Game Bar → saved automatically to This PC → Videos → Captures
- PrtSc 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 and save.
- Windows + Shift + S → copied to clipboard. Click the notification to save.
- Snipping Tool → you choose the save location when you save
Screenshot Not Working on Lenovo ThinkPad? Try These Fixes
Fix 1: Try Fn + PrtSc
On some ThinkPad models PrtSc shares a key with another function. Press Fn + PrtSc and try again.
Fix 2: Check If Fn Lock Is On
ThinkPads have an Fn Lock feature. 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 PrtSc doesn’t respond at all, press Windows + Shift + S. It works on every ThinkPad, regardless of keyboard layout, and doesn’t need the PrtSc key.
Fix 4: Check Lenovo Vantage
Most ThinkPads come with Lenovo Vantage pre-installed. Open it from the Start menu and check the keyboard settings. Some settings there can change how the top-row keys behave.
Fix 5: Check If OneDrive Is Saving Your Screenshots
On some ThinkPads, 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 6: Update Your Keyboard Driver
An outdated driver can stop keyboard shortcuts from working. Go to Device Manager → Keyboards, right-click your keyboard, and choose Update driver. You can also enter your ThinkPad’s model number on the Lenovo Support website to download the latest drivers.
Fix 7: Restart Your ThinkPad
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:
- How to Screenshot on Lenovo Laptop
- 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 Asus ZenBook
- How to Screenshot on Acer Laptop
- How to Screenshot on Microsoft Surface Laptop
- How to Take a Screenshot on Mac
For model-specific drivers and manuals, visit Lenovo Support.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I screenshot on Lenovo ThinkPad?
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 ThinkPad X1 Carbon?
Press Windows + PrtScn for a full screenshot that saves automatically, or Windows + Shift + S to capture a selected area. If PrtSc doesn’t respond, try adding the Fn key.
How do I screenshot on ThinkPad T14?
Press Windows + PrtScn for a full auto-saved screenshot. If that doesn’t work, try Fn + Windows + PrtScn, or use Windows + Shift + S instead.
How do I screenshot on ThinkPad E15?
All standard Windows shortcuts work on the ThinkPad E15. Press Windows + PrtScn for a full screenshot or Windows + Shift + S to select a specific area.
Where do screenshots go on Lenovo ThinkPad?
Screenshots taken with Windows + PrtScn save to This PC → Pictures → Screenshots. Screenshots taken with PrtSc alone or Windows + Shift + S are copied to the clipboard, so paste and save them yourself.
Why is my ThinkPad screenshot not working?
The most common causes are the Fn key and Fn Lock. Try Fn + PrtSc, or press Fn + Esc to toggle Fn Lock. If neither works, Windows + Shift + S works on every ThinkPad model.
How do I take a scrolling screenshot on Lenovo ThinkPad?
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.
How to Take a Scrolling Screenshot on Windows
How do I screenshot on ThinkPad without a Print Screen key?
Press Windows + Shift + S to capture any part of the screen. You can also open the On-Screen Keyboard (search “osk” in the Start menu) and click its PrtScn button.
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.