how to find my screenshots

Question

how to find my screenshots

Brent Maiden 5

I do a screenshot but I cannot find it in my default "Screenshot" folder and I do not find it in Pictures

sheryl mansfield 0 Reputation points

2026-05-11T19:41:18.2566667+00:00

I ask Google to take a screen shot and I can't find it . Where did she put it? Can you help me. I'm eighty five, so keep it simple please.
Kimwanga, Rusmie S 0 Reputation points

2026-09-11T00:59:14.7566667+00:00

i low-key did not know what to do so google helped me

4 answers

Your answer

sheryl mansfield 0 Reputation points

2026-05-11T19:41:18.2566667+00:00

I ask Google to take a screen shot and I can't find it . Where did she put it? Can you help me. I'm eighty five, so keep it simple please.
Kimwanga, Rusmie S 0 Reputation points

2026-09-11T00:59:14.7566667+00:00

i low-key did not know what to do so google helped me

Answer 1

I'd advise anyone who is having this problem to look in their Downloads folder.

If you search on this issue on the Web, people always talk about where files are stored if you use the snipping tool (Windows + Shift + s).

However, if you right click anywhere in the active part of a Microsoft Edge tab, you get a context menu that includes a "Screenshot" option. The keyboard shortcut for this option is different - "Control + Shift + s". Whichever way you launch it you get something that looks a lot like the Snipping Tool. However, after you have made your selection, it is automatically saved in your Downloads folder.

None of the guidance I have seen anywhere about changing the location of your Screenshots folder makes any difference to this. It only affects where files saved with the Windows + Shift + s Snipping Tool are saved

Presumably there is a Registry setting somewhere that would enable you to change where the Edge screenshots (Control + Shift + s) are saved, but I can't find it.

sheryl mansfield 0 Reputation points

2026-05-11T19:47:01.7166667+00:00

You already forgot that I told you I was 85 years old and to keep it simple!!! I even said please!

Answer 2

EmilyS_726 27,470 Volunteer Moderator

Did you use Snipping Tool? If so, launch the app Snipping Tool, go to the three dots on the upper right to access settings.

Make sure automatically save screenshots is turned on, and from there, you can also see the folder it is set to for saving location.

Sylvia Jonathan 0 Reputation points

2025-11-20T17:54:24.67+00:00

It would be more helpful to provide a link to a Microsoft generated tutorial for the defaults of how various keyboard commands work with Screenshots, screen captures & sniping tool behaviors. The tutorial should list ALL of the default locations for each and every built-in capture method and instruction on how to change the Save locations. Otherwise, the result for end users is - brand new computer - using windows for years - new computer is broken.
sheryl mansfield 0 Reputation points

2026-05-11T19:44:01.13+00:00

What ever happened to the screen shots going to photos? Why did you change it and make it so duifficult?

Answer 3

Randy Baroja 20,775 Independent Advisor

Hi,

You can try this as other ways to find your screenshots. First, were you able to check the Clipboard? If you just pressed PrtScn or Alt + PrtScn, the screenshot may not have been saved as a file and is only on the clipboard. Press Win + V to see if it’s there. Another option is to check OneDrive or Google Drive, sometimes screenshots are automatically saved to cloud storage if syncing is enabled. You can also check the Snipping Tool or Snip & Sketch history: open the app, and see if your recent captures are still listed there. Additionally, try checking Downloads or Desktop, because some tools save screenshots there instead of the Pictures folder.

Did you press Win + PrtScn, just PrtScn, or use a tool like Snip & Sketch to take the screenshot? And do you have any cloud storage apps like OneDrive, Dropbox, or Google Drive running that could be redirecting your screenshots?

Kind regards,

Sylvia Jonathan 0 Reputation points

2025-11-20T17:39:52.3533333+00:00

It would be more helpful to provide a link to a Microsoft generated tutorial for the defaults of how various keyboard commands work with Screenshots, screen captures & sniping tool behaviors. The tutorial should list ALL of the default locations for each and every built-in capture method and instruction on how to change the Save locations. Otherwise, the result for end users is - brand new computer - using windows for years - new computer is broken.

Answer 4

If you're unable to find your screenshots in the default "Screenshot" folder or the "Pictures" folder, you might want to check the following:

File Explorer: Open File Explorer and navigate to the following locations:
- This PC > Pictures > Screenshots: This is typically where screenshots taken using the Print Screen key are saved.
- This PC > Pictures: Sometimes screenshots may be saved directly in the Pictures folder.
Search Function: Use the search bar in File Explorer. Type *.png or *.jpg to search for image files, which might help you locate your screenshots.
Check App Settings: If you are using a specific application to take screenshots (like Snipping Tool or Snip & Sketch), check the settings within that app to see if there is a designated save location that differs from the default folders.
Recent Files: You can also check the "Recent" section in File Explorer to see if your screenshots appear there.

If you still cannot find your screenshots, consider whether the screenshot function is working correctly or if there are any permissions issues with the folders.