Taking screenshots on your Windows computer can be incredibly useful for everything from sharing a cool moment in a video game to troubleshooting issues. However, it can be frustrating when you take a screenshot, but can’t find it later. Don’t worry, you’re not alone. This is a common issue that many Windows users face.
In this guide, we’ll explore some tips and fixes to help you locate your missing screenshots. We’ll cover everything from checking the default screenshot location, using the built-in Snip & Sketch tool, to troubleshooting potential issues with your keyboard’s print screen button. So, let’s dive in and get those elusive screenshots back!
If you can’t find your screenshots in Windows, there are a few things you can try:
How to find Screenshots in Windows
1. Check if Screenshots Are Saved in Different Location
By default, screenshots are saved in the Pictures folder, under the Screenshots subfolder. However, you can change the save location in Settings. To do this:
- Open the Settings app (press Windows + I).
- Click on System.
- Click on Storage.
- Under More storage settings, click on Change where new content is saved.
- Under New photos and videos will save to, select the location where you want your screenshots to be saved.
Once you have changed the save location, you may need to restart your computer for the changes to take effect.
2. Check the OneDrive Settings
If you have OneDrive enabled on your computer, your screenshots may be saved to OneDrive instead of your local hard drive. To check this, open the OneDrive app and click on the Settings tab. Under Auto Save, make sure that Save photos and videos to OneDrive is enabled.
If it is enabled, click on the Choose folders button and make sure that the Screenshots folder is selected.
3. Make Sure You Saved the File
When you press Windows + PrtScn, a screenshot is copied to the clipboard. You can then paste the screenshot into a program such as Paint or Word to save it as a file.
If you did not paste the screenshot into a program, it will not have been saved. To save the screenshot, simply paste it into a program and then click on File > Save.
4. Search the File
If you are still having trouble finding your screenshots, you can try searching for them in File Explorer. To do this, open File Explorer and type Screenshots in the search bar.
File Explorer will search for all files with the name “Screenshots”. If you find the screenshots you are looking for, you can right-click on them and select Open file location to see where they are saved.
5. Check if Prtsc Key Is Overridden
It is possible that a third-party program has overridden the PrtScn key. To check this, open the Settings app (press Windows + I) and click on Apps.
In the left-hand pane, click on Startup. This will show you a list of all programs that are set to start automatically when you turn on your computer.
Look for any programs that have the word “screenshot” in their name. If you find any programs, disable them and then restart your computer.
6. Provide Write Privileges to Screenshot Folder
It is also possible that the Screenshots folder does not have write privileges. To check this, right-click on the Screenshots folder and select Properties.
In the Properties window, click on the Security tab. Under Group or user names, select your user account.
Under Permissions for Administrators, make sure that the Write checkbox is selected.
Click on OK to save your changes.
Conclusion
If you have tried all of the above fixes and you still can’t find your screenshots, you may need to contact Microsoft support for further assistance.
