Printing Problems

How to Save Print Screen Screenshots to a Custom Folder in Windows

Guest Writer Oct 1, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user wants to automatically save captures made with the Print Screen key to a designated custom folder instead of the default location.

How to Save Print Screen Screenshots to a Custom Folder in Windows

Product: Windows OS
Device & OS: Windows
Scenario: Capturing screen activities using the Print Screen shortcut and redirecting the saved image files to a specific directory.
Observed behavior: The automatic OneDrive screenshot-saving feature has been removed, requiring users to manually change the default Windows screenshot folder via system properties to bypass opening the Snipping Tool.

Before you start

Create a new folder in your preferred location (like your Desktop or Documents) where you want all future screenshots to be automatically saved.

Solution 1Recommended

Change the Default Screenshots Folder Location in Properties

Use the Windows folder properties to redirect all future Print Screen captures to a new custom directory automatically.

By default, Windows saves captured screenshots to the 'Pictures > Screenshots' folder. You can modify the system properties of this folder to redirect all new captures to a location of your choice, bypassing the need for the Snipping Tool or the discontinued OneDrive feature.

Capture an initial screenshot

Press the 'Windows key + Print Screen' on your keyboard. This ensures the system generates the default 'Screenshots' folder if you haven't taken a screenshot before.

Locate the default Screenshots folder

Open File Explorer and navigate to 'This PC > Pictures'. Find the folder named 'Screenshots'.

Open folder Properties

Right-click the 'Screenshots' folder and select 'Properties' from the context menu.

Move the location

Navigate to the 'Location' tab at the top of the Properties window and click the 'Move...' button.

Select your custom folder

Browse to the new custom folder you created earlier, select it, and click 'Select Folder'. Finally, click 'Apply' and confirm 'Yes' when prompted to move existing files.

Change the Default Screenshots Folder Location in Properties

Setup Complete: Whenever you press Windows key + Print Screen, your screenshots will now instantly save to your new custom folder.

Built-in Screenshot Tool

Easily Capture and Save Screenshots in WPS Office

If you frequently take screenshots to insert into documents or save to custom folders, WPS Office provides a built-in Screen Capture tool that makes this process seamless without relying on Windows defaults.

1. Open WPS Office: Launch WPS Office and open a Writer document, Presentation, or Spreadsheet.
2. Access the Screen Capture Tool: Navigate to the 'Insert' tab on the top ribbon menu and click on the 'Screen Capture' (or 'Screenshot') button.
3. Select your Capture Area: Click and drag your cursor to select the specific area of your screen you want to capture, or capture the entire screen.
4. Save or Insert: Use the quick toolbar that appears below your capture to click the 'Save' icon to store it in a custom folder, or click the checkmark to insert it directly into your document.

Built-in screen capture utility without needing third-party appsInstantly insert screenshots into your documents or save them to any custom pathFully compatible with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint formats

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did my screenshots stop saving to OneDrive automatically?

Microsoft has officially removed the automatic OneDrive screenshot-saving feature from recent updates. You can submit feedback regarding this change to Microsoft through their support portal, or use the default Windows saving method.

Where do Windows key + Print Screen captures go by default?

Unless modified, Windows automatically saves these screenshots as PNG image files in the 'This PC > Pictures > Screenshots' directory.

Can I revert my screenshot folder back to the default location?

Yes. Right-click your current custom Screenshots folder, select Properties, go to the Location tab, and click 'Restore Default'. Apply the changes to redirect saves back to the standard Pictures folder.

How do I take a partial screenshot instead of the whole screen?

You can press Windows key + Shift + S to launch the Snipping Tool. This allows you to click and drag to capture a specific region of your screen, which is copied to your clipboard and can be saved manually.

Document & File Issues