How to Screenshot Part of Your Screen on Windows, Mac and Linux
By the QuickSnap team · Updated · 2 min read
The built-in shortcuts on each system, where the screenshot is saved, and what to do when you need to mark it up.
Windows 10 and 11
- Win + Shift + S opens the Snipping Tool selection bar. Drag over the area; the image is copied to the clipboard.
- Print Screen captures the whole screen to the clipboard. On newer versions it may open the Snipping Tool instead, depending on a keyboard setting.
- Alt + Print Screen captures only the active window.
- Win + Print Screen saves the whole screen as a file in Pictures, in a Screenshots folder.
Mac
By default Mac screenshots are saved to the Desktop. You can change the location in the screenshot toolbar.
- Shift + Command + 4 turns the pointer into crosshairs so you can drag over an area. Press Space to switch to capturing a whole window.
- Shift + Command + 3 captures the full screen.
- Shift + Command + 5 opens the screenshot toolbar with more options.
- Hold Control while you press these shortcuts to copy the screenshot to the clipboard instead of saving a file.
Linux
It depends on the desktop. On GNOME, Print Screen opens a screenshot interface where you choose an area, a window or the screen. KDE Plasma ships Spectacle, usually bound to Print Screen as well. Check your desktop’s keyboard or shortcut settings if the key does nothing.
On Wayland, programs have less freedom to capture the screen, so some tools and shortcuts behave differently than on X11.
Where does the screenshot go?
Some shortcuts save a file, and others only copy to the clipboard. If you pressed a shortcut and cannot find a file, paste (Ctrl + V or Command + V) into a chat, a document or an image editor.
When you also want to mark it up
The built-in tools capture; most do little else. A tool that lets you draw on the capture saves a step. With QuickSnap you press Print Screen, drag over the area, add an arrow, a box, text or numbered markers, then press Enter to copy or Ctrl + S to save. The Windows build is the one that has been tried by hand so far; the Mac and Linux builds are untested previews.