Print screen

To create a screenshot file reliably, press Windows key + Print Screen; Windows saves it in Pictures > Screenshots.

Open File Explorer, then enter this in the address bar:

%UserProfile%\Pictures\Screenshots

What each screenshot shortcut does

• Windows + Print Screen — saves the full screen directly as a file in Pictures > Screenshots.^1^
• Print Screen alone — may open screen snipping and copy the capture to the clipboard. A clipboard capture is not necessarily a file yet; paste it into Paint, Word, or email with Ctrl+V, then save it.^2^
• Windows + Shift + S — opens Snipping Tool. Current Windows 11 Snipping Tool versions automatically save captures to the configured Screenshots folder.^3^
• Alt + Print Screen — copies the active window to the clipboard; paste and save it manually.^1^

If Snipping Tool captures are missing

1. Open Start, search for Snipping Tool, and open it.
2. Select See more (…) > Settings.
3. Check that Automatically save original screenshots is enabled.
4. Check the folder shown there; this identifies the active save location. Snipping Tool settings also provide the option to change its automatic-save behavior or default Screenshots folder.^3^

For an individual capture, open it in Snipping Tool and press Ctrl+S or select Save as to choose an exact folder and filename.

References

1. Getting Print Screen to work - Microsoft Q&A
2. Windows 11
3. Windows 11