Taking a screenshot on your laptop can prove incredibly useful in a variety of scenarios. Whether you’re capturing a moment from a video, preserving the details of an online transaction, or collating data for a report, knowing how to take a screenshot is an essential skill. This guide will walk you through the steps of taking a screenshot on Lenovo and HP laptops. With a bit of practice, you’ll be able to capture and save what’s on your screen in no time.
6 Ways to Screenshot on Lenovo and HP Laptops
1. Use Windows + Shift + S
Press Windows + Shift + S to open the Windows Snipping Tool capture bar.
Your screen will dim, and you can choose to capture a rectangular area, a specific window, the full screen, or a free-form section.
After you take the screenshot, it is copied to your clipboard. You can click the notification that appears to open it in Snipping Tool, where you can crop, annotate, save, or share the image.
This is one of the easiest methods to use on both Lenovo and HP laptops.
2. Use the Print Screen (PrtSc) Key
Press the PrtSc key to capture the entire screen and copy the screenshot to your clipboard.
Open Paint, Word, or another image editor, then press Ctrl + V to paste the screenshot. You can then crop, edit, and save the image.
On some Lenovo and HP laptops, you may need to hold the Fn key while pressing PrtSc, depending on the keyboard layout
3. Use Windows + PrtSc
Press Windows + PrtSc to capture your entire screen and save the screenshot automatically.
Your screen may briefly dim to confirm that the capture was taken. The image is usually saved in:
Pictures > Screenshots
On some Lenovo or HP laptops, you may need to press Windows + Fn + PrtSc if the Print Screen key shares another function.
4. Use Alt + PrtSc
Press Alt + PrtSc to capture only the active window instead of the entire screen.
The screenshot is copied to your clipboard. Open Paint, Word, or another image editor and press Ctrl + V to paste it, then save or edit the image as needed.
This method is useful when you want to capture one app or window without showing the rest of your desktop.
5. Use the Windows Snipping Tool
Open the Snipping Tool from the Windows Start menu to capture and edit screenshots on Lenovo and HP laptops.
Click New, then choose the type of capture you want, such as rectangular, window, full-screen, or free-form.
After taking the screenshot, you can crop, draw, highlight, copy, or save the image. You can also use the delay option if you need a few seconds to open a menu or position something on the screen before capturing it.
6. Use Xbox Game Bar for Games
Press Windows + G to open Xbox Game Bar while using a game or supported app.
In the Capture widget, click the camera icon to take a screenshot. You can also use Windows + Alt + PrtSc to capture the current game or app directly.
Game Bar screenshots are usually saved in:
Videos > Captures
This method is especially useful for gaming because it saves screenshots automatically without requiring you to paste them into another app.
Using Third-Party Apps
Windows includes everything most Lenovo and HP users need for basic screenshots, but third-party apps can provide extra features such as scrolling captures, advanced annotations, faster editing, and easier sharing.
Popular screenshot tools include ShareX, Greenshot, and Lightshot. These can be useful if you regularly create tutorials, document software issues, or need more editing options than the built-in Windows tools provide.
Always download screenshot software from the official website or another trusted source.
Where Are Screenshots Saved on Lenovo and HP Laptops?
The save location depends on the screenshot method you use.
If you press Windows + PrtSc, screenshots are usually saved automatically in:
Pictures > Screenshots
If you use Windows + Alt + PrtSc with Xbox Game Bar, screenshots are generally saved in:
Videos > Captures
If you use PrtSc, Alt + PrtSc, or Windows + Shift + S, the screenshot may be copied to your clipboard first instead of being saved automatically. You can paste it into Paint, Word, or another image editor and save it manually.
If you cannot find a screenshot, open File Explorer and search for Screenshots or Captures.
Frequently Asked Questions About Screenshots on Lenovo and HP Laptops
How do I screenshot on a Lenovo or HP laptop without a Print Screen key?
Press Windows + Shift + S to open the Snipping Tool capture bar. You can then select part of the screen, a specific window, or the full screen.
Why is the Print Screen key not working on my Lenovo or HP laptop?
On some models, the PrtSc key shares another keyboard function, so you may need to hold Fn while pressing it. You can also use Windows + Shift + S instead.
How do I take a full-screen screenshot?
Press Windows + PrtSc to capture the entire screen and usually save it automatically in Pictures > Screenshots.
How do I screenshot only one window?
Press Alt + PrtSc to capture the active window. The screenshot is copied to the clipboard so you can paste it into Paint, Word, or another app.
Where are screenshots saved on Lenovo and HP laptops?
Screenshots taken with Windows + PrtSc are usually stored in Pictures > Screenshots, while Xbox Game Bar captures are generally stored in Videos > Captures.
Can I edit a screenshot after taking it?
Yes. The Windows Snipping Tool lets you crop, draw, highlight, and save screenshots. You can also edit screenshots in Paint or another image editor.
Conclusion
Taking a screenshot on a Lenovo or HP laptop is simple once you know the right Windows shortcuts. For most users, Windows + Shift + S is the easiest all-around option, while Windows + PrtSc is useful when you want to save a full-screen screenshot automatically.
If one shortcut does not work on your laptop, try the Fn key with PrtSc or use the Windows Snipping Tool instead.
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Vincent Cruz is the founder and editor of Durofy, where he covers business, technology, and practical consumer guides.
