Wondering where your screenshots go? Screenshots usually go to your clipboard, your Pictures > Screenshots folder on Windows, or your desktop on Mac. The exact location depends on the shortcut or screenshot app you use.
Plus, if you’re working with a new machine it can be even harder to get used to all of the quirks.
In this guide, we’ll go over where your screenshots go on different types of machines.
Key takeaways
- On Windows, some screenshot methods copy the image to your clipboard, while others save a file in your Screenshots folder.
- The common Windows screenshot folder is C:\Users\[username]\Pictures\Screenshots, or %USERPROFILE%\Pictures\Screenshots.
- On Mac, screenshots taken with the built-in Screenshot app save to your desktop by default.
- A dedicated screenshot folder helps keep captures easier to find, especially if you take screenshots often.
Where do screenshots go on Windows?
On Windows, screenshots may be copied to the clipboard or saved to a Screenshots folder, depending on the capture method you use. First, take a screenshot on your Windows machine. The quickest way to do so is to press the Print Screen key, usually located in the top-right area of the keyboard, near the F12 key.
For more options, we have a complete guide on how to screenshot on Windows 10 & 11.
Use this quick table when you need to know where a Windows screenshot went.
| Screenshot method | Where the screenshot goes | What to do next |
| Print Screen | Clipboard | Paste it into Paint, a document, an email, or another app. |
| Windows key + Print Screen | C:\Users\[username]\Pictures\Screenshots or %USERPROFILE%\Pictures\Screenshots | Open File Explorer and go to your Pictures > Screenshots folder. |
| Snipping Tool | Clipboard first, with an option to save the file | Open the capture in Snipping Tool, then choose Save As to pick a folder. |
| OneDrive backup enabled | Local Disk → Users → “your username” → OneDrive → Pictures → Screenshots | Check your OneDrive Pictures folder if the standard Screenshots folder is empty. |
Once you take your screenshot with Snipping Tool, it’ll be automatically saved to your clipboard. You will be able to copy and paste it anywhere you need.
However, this also means that you usually can’t save your screenshot in a specific location right away. You’ll need to open the screenshot in the Snipping Tool, then right-click and select “Save As” to assign it a location.
How to find saved Windows screenshots
- Open File Explorer.
2. Select This PC.
3. Go to C:\Users\[username]\Pictures\Screenshots.
4. If OneDrive is backing up your pictures, check Local Disk → Users → “your username” → OneDrive → Pictures → Screenshots.
That’s a lot of work to find the screenshots saved on Windows machines!
It’s a good idea to save your screenshots somewhere else. Paste the screenshot into Paint, then select File > Save As to choose a new location.
For a simpler system, create one screenshots folder you use every time.
However, it is quicker to use a third-party application like Camtasia Snagit to follow an organized filing system. It saves time and helps you organize your files more efficiently than Snipping Tool. More on that later.
Speed up your screenshot workflows
Stop wasting your time with built-in snipping tools, and try Snagit!
Learn More
Speed up your screenshot workflows
Capture, save, and find screenshots faster with Camtasia Snagit. Learn More
Where do Mac screenshots go?
Mac screenshots taken with the built-in Screenshot app save to the desktop by default. First, you’ll need to capture your screen using your Mac. The quickest way to do this is by using keyboard shortcuts like Cmd + Shift + 3, which captures your entire screen.
Access our guide for more in-depth information on how to screenshot on Mac, like how to capture a portion of your screen, crop your screenshot and even screen record!
Saving screenshots on Mac is simpler than Windows, since there’s just one default location to remember.
This is convenient if you keep a tidy desktop, but a cluttered desktop can make screenshots hard to find.
You can customize your screenshot saving location by clicking on the screenshot from your desktop. This will open Preview.
From there you can click on File, Move To, and select a new location. It’s a good idea to make a specialized folder for your screenshots so you can store them somewhere with easy access.
You can also use the Screenshot app’s Options menu to choose where future Mac screenshots save, as described in Apple’s Mac screenshot guide.
However, it is still a long process to capture, save, and find your screenshots that way!
Using a third-party screenshot and organization software like Camtasia Snagit can really make a difference when capturing, filing, and sending screen captures. Camtasia Snagit has so many filing options, that you’ll be able to save and find your screenshots in just a few seconds.
How can you find, organize, and send screenshots faster?
Camtasia Snagit helps keep screenshots organized by opening captures in the editor and storing them in a searchable library with sorting and tagging options. Now you know how to find your lost screenshots. But do you really want to deal with that hassle at all times?
Odds are, you don’t. It’s time you file screenshots somewhere else.
Luckily, Camtasia Snagit is a great resource for people just like you. It’s super easy to use and makes organization almost too easy.
First, you’ll need to take a screenshot using Camtasia Snagit. Camtasia Snagit has a lot of different options like Region or Scrolling so you can capture everything you need and more.
After you take a screenshot with Snagit, it’ll automatically open in the editor. From there, you’ll be able to make quick image edits if needed.
Use Callouts to add important information, the Step Tool to make an easy-to-follow tutorial, and more!
Most importantly, you’ll be able to file your screenshots however you want!
Camtasia Snagit’s library has multiple filing options that fit your needs best. For example, you can look for your captures based on date and time, website, and application.
For more specialized organization, you can tag every image with customizable tags. Think of it as a highly customizable Pinterest board just for you. You can tag your images, and it’s almost certain you’ll never lose a screenshot again.
We love to use Camtasia Snagit’s library to keep track of every document. You can upload preexisting documents to your library and tag them too so nothing gets lost again.
Speed up your screenshot workflows
Stop wasting your time with built-in snipping tools, and try Snagit!
Learn More
Keep your screenshot workflow organized
Keep screenshots organized from capture to sharing with Camtasia Snagit.
Never ask yourself, “Where do my screenshots go on Mac?” or “Where do Windows screenshots go?” ever again! We’ve got the solution for you.
Keep screenshots easy to find
When you know where screenshots go, you can spend less time searching and more time sharing clear information. Use the default folders when they work, and create a simple filing system when you need more control.
To build clearer visual instructions from your captures, try Camtasia Snagit free.
Frequently asked questions
Why are screenshots hard to find on Windows?
Screenshots are hard to find on Windows because different shortcuts send captures to different places. Some methods copy the image to your clipboard, so there is no saved file until you paste and save it. Other methods save a file in the Screenshots folder, and OneDrive settings can move that folder under your OneDrive Pictures directory.
Do screenshots always save as files?
Screenshots do not always save as files. On Windows, Print Screen and some Snipping Tool workflows copy the screenshot to your clipboard first, which means you need to paste it into another app or choose Save As. On Mac, screenshots taken with the built-in Screenshot app usually save as files on the desktop unless you choose a different save location.
How do I change where Mac screenshots are saved?
You can move an existing Mac screenshot by opening it from the desktop, choosing File, then Move To, and selecting a new folder. To change where future Mac screenshots save, open the Screenshot app and use the Options menu to pick a destination, as explained in Apple’s Mac screenshot guide. A dedicated screenshots folder is a good choice if you capture images often and want a cleaner desktop.
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