How To Take A Screenshot On Your Windows 11 HP Laptop: A Step-by-Step Guide

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5 min. read

Published on November 3, 2025

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Taking screenshots on your HP laptop running Windows 11 is a fundamental skill for capturing important information, sharing memorable moments, or documenting software issues. Fortunately, Windows 11 offers several built-in methods for taking screenshots, catering to different needs and preferences. Whether you need to capture the entire screen, a specific window, or a custom area, this guide will walk you through the various options available on your HP laptop.

This comprehensive guide will show you, step by step, how to use these different techniques. By the end, you’ll be equipped with the knowledge to easily take and save screenshots on your Windows 11 HP laptop, streamlining your workflow and enhancing your digital communication.

What are the different ways to screenshot on an HP Windows 11 laptop?

Using the Print Screen (PrtScn) Key

The Print Screen key is the most basic method for capturing your entire screen.

Press the PrtScn key on your keyboard. This copies an image of your entire screen to your clipboard.
Open an image editing program like Paint, Paint 3D, or Photoshop.
Paste the screenshot by pressing Ctrl + V.
Edit the screenshot as needed.
Save the image in your desired format (e.g., JPG, PNG).

Utilizing Windows Key + Print Screen

This method captures your entire screen and automatically saves it as a file.

Press the Windows key + PrtScn keys simultaneously. Your screen will briefly dim.
Navigate to the Pictures folder, then the Screenshots folder to find your saved screenshot. The screenshot is automatically saved as a PNG file.

Employing Alt + Print Screen

This method captures only the active window and copies it to your clipboard.

Click on the window you want to capture to make it the active window.
Press the Alt + PrtScn keys simultaneously. This copies an image of the active window to your clipboard.
Open an image editing program like Paint, Paint 3D, or Photoshop.
Paste the screenshot by pressing Ctrl + V.
Edit the screenshot as needed.
Save the image in your desired format.

Leveraging the Snipping Tool

The Snipping Tool offers more flexibility, allowing you to capture specific areas of your screen.

Search for and open the Snipping Tool application.
Click New to start a new snip.
Select the snip type from the dropdown menu:

Rectangular Snip: Drag your cursor around the area you want to capture.
Window Snip: Click on the window you want to capture.
Full-screen Snip: Captures the entire screen.
Free-form Snip: Draw a custom shape around the area you want to capture.

The screenshot will appear in the Snipping Tool window, where you can annotate, save, or copy it.

Using the Snip & Sketch Tool (Windows Key + Shift + S)

Snip & Sketch is a modern replacement for the Snipping Tool, offering similar functionality with a more streamlined interface.

Press the Windows key + Shift + S keys simultaneously. Your screen will dim, and a small menu will appear at the top.
Select the snip type from the menu:

Rectangular Snip: Drag your cursor around the area you want to capture.
Window Snip: Click on the window you want to capture.
Full-screen Snip: Captures the entire screen.
Free-form Snip: Draw a custom shape around the area you want to capture.

The screenshot will be copied to your clipboard and a notification will appear.
Click the notification to open the screenshot in the Snip & Sketch tool, where you can annotate, save, or share it.

Tips for Better Screenshots

Use a cloud storage service like Dropbox or Google Drive to automatically back up your screenshots.
Learn keyboard shortcuts to speed up the screenshot process.
Annotate screenshots to highlight important information or provide context.
Crop screenshots to remove unnecessary parts of the image.
Use the right snip type for the task at hand.

FAQ

How do I take a screenshot of a specific part of my screen on Windows 11? You can use the Snipping Tool or Snip & Sketch tool and select the “Rectangular Snip” or “Free-form Snip” option to capture a specific area.

Where are screenshots saved on Windows 11 HP laptop? Screenshots taken using Windows key + PrtScn are saved in the “Screenshots” folder within the “Pictures” folder. Screenshots taken with other methods are saved to the location you specify when saving them.

How do I take a screenshot without the Print Screen key? You can use the Snipping Tool or Snip & Sketch tool, both accessible through the Windows search bar.

Can I take a scrolling screenshot on Windows 11? Windows 11 doesn’t have a built-in scrolling screenshot feature. You may need to use a third-party app or browser extension for this functionality.

How do I edit a screenshot on Windows 11? You can use the built-in Paint app, Paint 3D, or the Snip & Sketch tool to edit screenshots.

Screenshot Methods Compared

Method	Capture Area	Saves Automatically	Requires Editing Software	Ease of Use
Print Screen (PrtScn)	Entire Screen	No	Yes	Easy
Windows Key + PrtScn	Entire Screen	Yes	No	Easy
Alt + PrtScn	Active Window	No	Yes	Easy
Snipping Tool	Selectable Area	No (Save Required)	Optional	Medium
Snip & Sketch	Selectable Area	No (Save Required)	Optional	Medium

Capturing Your Screen Made Easy

Mastering the art of screen capture in Windows 11 on your HP laptop is now easily within your reach. By understanding and utilizing the various methods outlined above, you can efficiently document, share, and communicate visually, enhancing your overall computing experience.