In earlier versions of Windows, you only got to use the Print Screen key to automatically take screenshots of an entire screen pasted on the clipboard. Then, Microsoft started improving the function of the Print Screen Key. In the later versions, you can use it in the hotkey combination with the Alt key to take screenshots of an active window (the window you are currently working on).
Now, you can also use the Print Screen key to take a screenshot and save it as a separate image file. In the latest Windows versions, you can press Windows+ Print Screen keys to take screenshots and save it on a particular location on your drive as an individual file.
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What Is the Default Location of Print Screen Folder?
It is interesting to note that there is no Screenshot folder on your device when you install Windows. When you use Windows+ Print Screen keys for the first time, the operating system creates a Screenshot subfolder in the User’s Picture folder.
Why Do You Need to Change the Default Location of the Print Screen Folder?
It is a valid question. Why fiddle with the Print Screen folder location when the operating system has sorted it out at the right place. Usually, you don’t need to change that folder location. However, if you are using the hotkey combination of Print Screen to take hundreds of screenshots as standalone image files daily, you may not want to overwhelm the Picture folder and the memory of the system drive. Also, you can automatically create multiple Screenshot folders on various locations in different instances in line with your requirements of that point.
How to Change Print Screen Folder Location?
Go to the default location of the Screenshot folder. It will be on this path:
C:\Users\[your device name]\Pictures\Screenshots
- Right-click on the Screenshot folder, a drop-down menu will appear.
- Left-click on Properties at the bottom of the drop-down menu.
- This will open a small Screenshot Properties Window.
Select the Location tab on the top horizontal pane.
After clicking on the Location tab, you will see the above window. Here, you can see the current path/location of the folder. Then below the location/path bar, three are three buttons.
- Restore Default: As the name implies, this option allows you to revert the changed Screenshot folder location. It is important to mention here that you can’t use this option if you are moving the folder to another system folder, e.g., Desktop.
- Move: This is where you can change the location of the folder. When you click on this button, it opens a small window similar to the window that opens when you create and save any Office, Paint, or other similar files. From this window, you can select any drive, folder as the new destination of the Screenshot folder.
- Find Target: This option is given for your convenience. If you haven’t made your mind regarding where to move the Screenshot folder, you can explore locations on your device. This option ensures you can assess the entire device without accidentally moving the folder to an unintended location.
After selecting the new location (in the above example, we are moving the Screenshot folder to D drive), click on Apply. The system will confirm the required action through a new dialogue box. Click OK on it, and the system will change the Screenshot folder’s location to the new destination.
