how do you screenshot on a thinkpad laptop

Taking a screenshot on your Lenovo ThinkPad is a simple task, but with several methods available, you might be wondering which one is best for your needs. Whether you need to capture your entire desktop or just a single window, your ThinkPad has you covered. Let’s look at the easiest ways to grab a picture of your screen using both dedicated keys and built-in Windows tools.

The Easiest Way: The Print Screen Key

Look at the top-right of your ThinkPad’s keyboard, and you’ll find the PrtSc key. This is your primary screenshot tool. A single press captures an image of your entire screen and copies it to your clipboard. From there, you can paste it directly into an email, a Microsoft Word document, or an image editor like Paint to save it as a file. For an even quicker method, press Windows Key + PrtSc. Your screen will dim briefly, and the screenshot will be automatically saved to your Pictures > Screenshots folder.

Capturing Just a Single Window

If you only need a picture of the active program you’re using, there’s a handy shortcut for that. Simply click on the window’s title bar to make sure it’s active, then press Alt + PrtSc. This captures only that specific window and copies it to your clipboard, allowing you to paste it wherever you need without cropping the rest of your desktop.

Using the Snipping Tool for More Control

When you need precision, the Snipping Tool (or its newer version, Snip & Sketch) is your best friend. You can quickly open it by pressing Windows Key + Shift + S. Your screen will dim, and a small menu will appear at the top of your screen, letting you choose to snip a rectangular area, a free-form shape, or a specific window. After you capture your selection, a notification will appear—click on it to annotate, save, or share your screenshot immediately.

With these methods at your fingertips, you can easily capture anything on your ThinkPad’s screen. The Print Screen key is perfect for quick, full-screen shots, while the Snipping Tool offers the flexibility to capture exactly what you need. Try them out to see which one fits your workflow best.