Yes, HP laptop keyboards typically place the Print Screen key in the top row near Delete, labeled PrtSc, PrtScn, or a shared key.
Intro And What You’ll Learn
You came here hunting for that screenshot key on your HP laptop. This guide shows where to find it on common layouts, what labels to look for, and what to press when the key shares space with another function. You’ll also see every practical shortcut in Windows 11 and Windows 10, plus tips to save or edit the capture fast.
Print Screen Key On HP Laptops: Labels And Spots
On most HP notebooks, the key lives on the top row, to the right side. The label often reads PrtSc, PrtScn, Prt Sc, or Prt Scrn. Some models print SysRq under the same key. A few thin and light designs move the feature onto another key entirely, such as the Right Shift or Insert key. In that case, you’ll use Fn with the printed icon to trigger it.
Ways The Key Might Be Shared
Many compact boards stack two features on one switch. If your key shows a tiny camera or rectangle icon in a lighter color, that means it needs the Fn modifier. Try Fn+PrtSc first. If nothing happens, check for an Fn lock light. Tapping Fn+Esc toggles the lock on many HP laptops, which flips whether the top row sends F-keys or the actions printed under them.
Fast Shortcuts That Work On HP Laptops
- Win+PrtSc: grabs the whole screen and saves a PNG into Pictures > Screenshots.
- Alt+PrtSc: copies the active window to the clipboard. Paste into Paint, Word, or any editor.
- PrtSc alone: copies the full screen to the clipboard on most setups.
- Win+Shift+S: opens the snip bar for rectangle, freeform, window, or full screen.
- Fn combos: on layouts without a dedicated key, Fn+Right Shift or Fn+Insert may act as Print Screen.
What To Do If There’s No Dedicated Key
Some x360 and Envy units skip a labeled key. Look for a small camera icon on Right Shift, End, or another top-row key. Press Fn with that key. If that still fails, use Win+Shift+S to snip without hunting for hardware labels. It’s reliable on any HP notebook with Windows 10 or 11.
How To Confirm Your Screenshot Saved
If you used Win+PrtSc, open File Explorer and go to Pictures, then the Screenshots folder. Clipboard methods need a paste step. Then save. To change where Win+PrtSc files land, use the Screenshots folder’s Location tab and pick a target directory.
Turn On The Snipping Tool Shortcut
You can set Print Screen to open Snipping Tool. In Windows 11, open Settings > Accessibility > Keyboard, then enable “Use the Print screen key to open Snipping Tool.” Now tapping the key launches the snip bar directly, which is handy on shared keys.
Solve Common Roadblocks
- If nothing happens: check the Fn lock. Tap Fn+Esc, then try again.
- Remove any custom keyboard tool that might have remapped the key.
- If OneDrive is active, screenshots might save under OneDrive > Pictures > Screenshots.
- On external keyboards, confirm the switch labeled F-lock or Mode isn’t changing top-row behavior.
Model Quirks You Might See
HP ships a wide range of keyboards. Business models often keep a clear PrtSc key beside Delete or above Insert. Gaming lines sometimes place it near the Arrow cluster. Slim convertibles may hide it behind a secondary icon on Right Shift. The idea stays: look for PrtSc text or a camera outline, then add Fn if the icon color matches your Fn legend.
Exact Steps: Full Screen, Window, Or Region
Full Screen To A File
- Press Win+PrtSc.
- Open Pictures > Screenshots to find the PNG.
Only The Active Window
- Press Alt+PrtSc.
- Paste into your editor and Save.
Choose A Region Or Window
- Press Win+Shift+S.
- Drag to pick the area, or click Window on the snip bar.
- Click the pop-up to mark up or Save.
Make The Key Easier To Reach
If you take captures, add a second way to trigger them:
- Pin Snipping Tool to the taskbar.
- Map a Quick Action tile named Screen snip inside Action Center.
- Use the Settings toggle that assigns the Print Screen key to Snipping Tool.
Where The Files Go And How To Change It
By default, the auto-save combo writes to Pictures > Screenshots. To move that folder, right-click Screenshots, pick Properties, choose Location, then Move. Windows will offer to shift existing files as well.
How This Works On External Or Wireless Keyboards
Using a desktop board with your HP notebook? The same shortcuts apply. On 60% and 65% boards, Print Screen may be on a layer with Fn. Check the legend. If the board has a driver utility, ensure no macro overrides the default action.
When You Should Use Each Shortcut
Use Win+PrtSc when you need a file with no extra clicks, like capturing an error box. Use Alt+PrtSc when you only want a single app window. Use Win+Shift+S when you need to crop, draw, or time a capture with a delay.
Verify The Key In Practice
Open any window, like Settings. Press Alt+PrtSc. Open Paint and paste. If you see only that window, the key works. Now try Win+PrtSc and check the Screenshots folder.
Chrome, Edge, And Full-Page Pages
Browser pages that scroll need a different tool to capture beyond the visible area. Use each browser’s full-page capture or an extension right away.
Troubleshooting On OneDrive-Managed PCs
If OneDrive manages Pictures, the auto-saved files land under OneDrive > Pictures > Screenshots. You can turn off the OneDrive screenshot setting or keep it on to back up captures across devices.
Shortcuts You Can Copy
Whole screen to a file: Win+PrtSc Active window to clipboard: Alt+PrtSc Open snip bar: Win+Shift+S Clipboard full screen: PrtSc Region capture with a delay: Open Snipping Tool > Delay
Where You’ll See The Label Variations
HP keyboards aren’t identical. On many business units you’ll see “PrtSc” or “PrtScn.” Some keys carry tiny text like “SysRq.” Casual users can ignore that line; it’s a legacy feature that shares space with the same key. On a few compact designs, the label moves onto the right side of the board and pairs with another action. When you spot the camera icon in a lighter color, pair it with Fn.
Change What The Key Does In Windows
You can bind the key to open the snip bar instead of copying the whole screen. Go to Settings > Accessibility > Keyboard, then flip the Print Screen toggle. That setting works across HP models that run Windows 10 or 11. It’s a fast way to get rectangle crops without extra steps.
Deep Dive On Save Locations
Two save paths appear often. If you press Win+PrtSc, the system writes a PNG to Pictures > Screenshots. If your device backs up files with OneDrive, that folder may live under your OneDrive directory. Clipboard methods never make a file until you paste and save one. To move the Screenshots folder, right-click it, open Properties, pick the Location tab, and choose a new spot.
Table: Common HP Keyboard Labels And Actions
| Model Family | Label You’ll See | Action To Press |
|---|---|---|
| Business or ProBook top row | PrtSc or PrtScn | PrtSc, Alt+PrtSc, Win+PrtSc |
| Slim x360 or Envy | Camera icon on Right Shift or Insert | Fn+that key, or Win+Shift+S |
| External 60% board | PrtSc on a secondary layer | Fn+PrtSc, Alt+Fn+PrtSc, Win+Fn+PrtSc |
Extra Tips For Clean Captures
Hide clutter before you press the key. Press Win+Alt+R only if you want to record video with the Xbox Game Bar. If your screen dims but no file appears, press Win+V to open the clipboard history and confirm a copy exists. Turn on clipboard history in Settings if needed.
Where To Learn The Official Shortcuts
Windows lists the main combinations on an official page: keyboard shortcut for Print Screen. For the snip overlay and its modes, see Microsoft’s Snipping Tool guide.
When A Third-Party Tool Helps
If you need scrolling page shots, hotkey profiles, or quick upload links, a utility like ShareX or PicPick adds power features. Keep your default shortcuts intact so the basic keys continue to work even if you switch apps later.
Function Row Behavior Matters
Many HP boards can swap the top row between F-keys and printed icons. If your key looks inactive, press Fn+Esc to toggle the mode, then try the capture again. Users who live in apps that need F-keys can flip the default in firmware to suit work.
Quick Recap
The Print Screen label sits on the top row on most HP keyboards, often near Delete. On compact units it can ride on a shared key such as Right Shift. When in doubt, trigger Win+Shift+S to capture right away, then learn the Fn combo printed on your specific board.