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Where Do Print Screens Go Windows 10

When it comes to taking a screenshot on Windows 10, have you ever wondered where those images go? You hit the print screen button, but then what? It can be a bit puzzling to locate your captured screenshots if you're not familiar with the default saving location in Windows 10. But fear not, I'm here to help you navigate this sometimes perplexing digital landscape.

Windows 10, like its predecessors, has a default location for storing screenshots. Typically, your screenshots are saved in a folder creatively named "Screenshots." To access this folder, you can simply navigate to the "Pictures" folder on your computer. Inside the "Pictures" folder, you should find the "Screenshots" folder, where all your captured screenshots are stored. And the best part? You can easily find and access this folder every time you want to view or share your screenshots!




Understanding Where Print Screens Go in Windows 10

Windows 10 offers several ways to capture screenshots, and once you take a screenshot, you might wonder where it is saved. Locating your print screens in Windows 10 can be essential, especially if you need to refer to them later or share them with others. In this article, we will explore the different locations where print screens are saved in Windows 10, along with some useful tips to help you manage and access your screenshots.

Print Screens Saved in the Clipboard

When you capture a screenshot in Windows 10, it is automatically saved to the clipboard. The clipboard is a temporary storage area that holds data copied or cut from a document or application. Similarly, when you take a print screen, the captured image is temporarily stored in the clipboard until you paste it somewhere, such as an image editing application or a document. However, the print screen is not saved as a file on your computer by default.

To access the print screen saved in the clipboard, you need to open an image editing program or a document application (such as Microsoft Word or Paint) and paste the screenshot. You can do this by using the Ctrl + V keyboard shortcut or by right-clicking and selecting "Paste." The image will then be pasted onto the application or document, allowing you to edit or save it as a file.

It is worth noting that if you take another screenshot before pasting the previous one, the new screenshot will replace the previous screenshot in the clipboard. Therefore, if you want to save multiple screenshots, it is recommended to paste them into an image editing program or document one by one.

Print Screens Saved in the Screenshots Folder

While print screens are not saved as files by default, Windows 10 provides a convenient feature that automatically saves screenshots to a dedicated folder called "Screenshots." This folder is located within the Pictures folder by default.

To access the Screenshots folder and find your print screens, follow these steps:

  • Open the File Explorer by pressing the Windows key + E on your keyboard.
  • Navigate to the "Pictures" folder in the left sidebar.
  • Within the "Pictures" folder, you will find the "Screenshots" folder.
  • Open the "Screenshots" folder to view your saved print screens.

In the Screenshots folder, you will find all the screenshots you have taken using the print screen function in Windows 10. The images are saved in PNG format and are timestamped with the date and time they were captured. You can view, copy, delete, or move the screenshots as desired.

If you prefer to store your print screens in a different location, you can change the default saving location by modifying the settings in Windows 10. To do this, follow these steps:

  • Open the Settings app by pressing the Windows key + I on your keyboard.
  • Click on the "System" option.
  • In the left sidebar, click on "Storage."
  • Scroll down to the "More storage settings" section and click on "Change where new content is saved."
  • Under the "New pictures will be saved to" option, choose the desired location for your print screens.
  • Click on the "Apply" button to save the changes.

By customizing the default saving location, you can easily access your print screens from a specific folder of your choice.

Using the Snipping Tool or Snip & Sketch

Windows 10 also provides additional tools for capturing screenshots: the Snipping Tool and Snip & Sketch. These built-in tools allow you to capture specific areas of your screen, annotate the screenshots, and save them as files directly.

The Snipping Tool is available on older versions of Windows and can still be used in Windows 10. To access the Snipping Tool, go to the Start menu, search for "Snipping Tool," and click on the application. Once open, you can select the type of snip you want to capture, such as a free-form snip, rectangular snip, or full-screen snip. After capturing the snip, you can annotate it if desired and save it as a file.

In Windows 10, the Snip & Sketch tool offers an enhanced screenshot capture experience. To access Snip & Sketch, press the Windows key + Shift + S on your keyboard. This will open a small toolbar at the top of your screen, allowing you to select the type of snip you want to capture. After capturing the snip, you can make annotations, highlight areas, and save the screenshot as a file.

Snipping Tool

If you use the Snipping Tool to capture screenshots, the Snipping Tool window itself acts as a temporary storage area for your snips. This means that the captured screenshots are automatically saved within the Snipping Tool until you save them as separate files.

To save a snip as a file in the Snipping Tool, follow these steps:

  • After capturing the snip, click on the "File" menu in the Snipping Tool window.
  • Select the "Save As" option.
  • Choose the location where you want to save the snip.
  • Enter a name for the snip and select the file format (such as PNG, JPEG, or GIF).
  • Click on the "Save" button to save the snip as a file in the specified location.

By following these steps, you can easily convert your snips into separate image files that can be accessed and shared independently.

Snip & Sketch

If you use the Snip & Sketch tool to capture screenshots, the captured snip is automatically saved as a file on your computer. By default, Snip & Sketch saves the snips in the "Pictures" folder, specifically within the "Screenshots" subfolder.

To change the default saving location for Snip & Sketch, follow these steps:

  • Open the Snip & Sketch app from the Start menu or by pressing the Windows key + Shift + S on your keyboard.
  • Click on the three-dot menu in the top-right corner of the app window.
  • Select "Settings" from the dropdown menu.
  • Scroll down to the "Save snips" section.
  • Choose the desired location for saving your snips.

By modifying the default saving location, you can ensure that your snips are conveniently stored in a folder of your choice.

Exploring Another Dimension of Print Screen Locations in Windows 10

While the previous section covered the primary locations where print screens are saved in Windows 10, it's important to note that third-party applications or specialized software might also have their own default saving locations. For example, if you use a screen recording software or a specific game capture software, the print screens might be saved in different folders based on the default settings of those applications.

When using such software, it's advisable to explore their respective settings and preferences to determine where the print screens are saved. This will ensure that you have a comprehensive understanding of the locations where your print screens are stored and can access them easily when needed.

In conclusion, print screens in Windows 10 are initially saved in the clipboard but can be easily pasted into image editing applications or documents. Additionally, Windows 10 has a default saving location for screenshots in the Pictures folder, within the Screenshots folder. You can also customize the saving location for both print screens and snips using the settings in Windows 10. Finally, third-party applications or specialized software may have their own default saving locations for print screens, so it's important to explore their settings as well. By understanding and managing the various print screen locations in Windows 10, you can save, access, and share your screenshots efficiently.


Where Do Print Screens Go Windows 10

Where to Find Print Screens in Windows 10

If you have taken a screenshot on your Windows 10 computer or device, you might be wondering where it is saved. By default, print screens are saved in a specific folder in your computer's local storage. To find your print screens, follow these steps:

1. Go to the "Pictures" folder on your computer. You can access it by opening File Explorer and navigating to the "This PC" section.

2. Once you are in the "Pictures" folder, look for a subfolder named "Screenshots." This is where Windows 10 automatically saves all your screenshots.

3. Open the "Screenshots" folder to access your print screens. They will be listed chronologically, with the most recent screenshot at the top.

Alternatively, you can also use the "Search" function in Windows 10 to find your print screens. Simply type "Screenshot" in the search bar, and Windows will show you all the screenshots saved on your computer.


Key Takeaways

  • The print screen images on Windows 10 are automatically saved in the Pictures folder.
  • To locate your print screens, open the File Explorer and navigate to the Pictures folder.
  • Once you're in the Pictures folder, look for a subfolder called "Screenshots."
  • The Screenshots folder is where Windows 10 stores all the print screen images by default.
  • You can also access your print screens by using the search feature in the File Explorer and typing "Screenshots."

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some common questions related to where print screens go in Windows 10:

1. How can I find the print screens I have taken in Windows 10?

To find the print screens you have taken in Windows 10, you can follow these steps:

1. Open the File Explorer on your Windows 10 computer.

2. In the File Explorer, navigate to the "Pictures" folder or the "Screenshots" folder.

3. Look for a folder named "Screenshots" inside the "Pictures" folder. Your print screens are saved in this folder.

2. Can I change the location where print screens are saved in Windows 10?

Yes, you can change the location where print screens are saved in Windows 10. Here's how:

1. Open the Settings app on your Windows 10 computer.

2. Click on "System" and then "Display" in the Settings app.

3. Scroll down and click on "Advanced display settings."

4. Under the "Multiple displays" section, click on "Screen snipping."

5. In the "Screen snipping" settings, click on "Change" to select a new location for your print screens.

3. How can I take a print screen in Windows 10?

To take a print screen in Windows 10, you can use the following keyboard shortcuts:

1. Press the "Print Screen" key to capture the entire screen.

2. Press "Alt + Print Screen" to capture the active window.

3. The print screen will be copied to your clipboard. You can then paste it into an image editing program or a document.

4. How can I capture a specific area of the screen using a print screen in Windows 10?

To capture a specific area of the screen using a print screen in Windows 10, you can follow these steps:

1. Press the "Windows key + Shift + S" keyboard shortcut to open the snipping tool.

2. Drag the cursor to select the area you want to capture.

3. The captured image will be copied to your clipboard. You can then paste it into an image editing program or a document.

5. Can I edit print screens before saving them in Windows 10?

Yes, you can edit print screens before saving them in Windows 10. After capturing a print screen, you can paste it into an image editing program like Paint or Photoshop to make any necessary adjustments or annotations. Once you're done editing, you can save the edited print screen in your desired location.



In conclusion, the Print Screen function in Windows 10 allows you to capture screenshots of your entire screen or just a specific window. By pressing the Print Screen key on your keyboard, the screenshot is saved to your clipboard. To access and save it, you can open an image-editing software like Paint and paste the screenshot from the clipboard. From there, you can save the screenshot to any location on your computer.

Additionally, Windows 10 has a built-in tool called Snip & Sketch that allows you to capture, annotate, and save screenshots with ease. You can simply press the Windows key + Shift + S to open the Snip & Sketch tool and select the portion of the screen you want to capture. The screenshot is automatically saved to the clipboard, and you can paste it into an image-editing software or directly save it to a folder of your choice.


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