Windows 10 and 11 offer multiple ways to take screenshots, of which the Snipping Tool (or PrintScreen key) is the most convenient. By default, screenshots/videos are saved in Drive C > Pictures > Screenshots. However, if you want to change the location of the screenshots, just follow these methods:
Method 1: Change the save folder via Snipping Tool
*(Only applies to photos taken from Snipping Tool, not to Win + PrintScreen key combination)*
1. Open Snipping Tool > press the 3 dots button in the right corner > select Settings.
2. Scroll down to " Automatically save original screenshots " > click Change in the " Screenshots are saved to " section.
3. Select new folder > OK .
Change the folder where screenshots are saved (Screen Recordings):
Repeat the above steps with the " Automatically save original screen recordings " item.
Note : You can turn off "Automatically save." to choose where to save each shot.
Method 2: Change folder via File Explorer
*(Applies to both Snipping Tool and Win + PrintScreen , only changes the capture folder)*
1. Open File Explorer > go to Pictures > Screenshots folder .
2. Right-click on Screenshots > select Properties .
3. Select the Location tab > click Move > select a new folder > OK .
4. Select Yes when Windows asks if you want to move the old photos to the new folder.
Change the folder where screenshot videos are saved:
Do the same with the Videos > Screen recordings folder .
Restore default:
Repeat the above steps > click Restore Default .
Method 3: Switch to Registry Editor
(For advanced users, only applies to screenshots)
Warning : To be safe, back up your data before editing the Registry.
1. Create a new folder to save the images (for example: D:Screenshots ).
2. Press Win + R > type regedit > OK .
3. Paste the following path into the address bar:
ComputerHKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorerUser Shell Folders
4. Find the value { B7BEDE81-DF94-4682-A7D8-57A52620B86F } (if it doesn't exist, create a new one using Edit > New > String Value and set this value).
5. Double-click the value > enter the new folder path (eg: D:Screenshots ) > OK .
Note : This method does not move old photos to the new folder.
Important Note:
- The above steps do not apply to third-party screenshot apps (Snagit, ShareX.). Please check the settings of each app.
- To avoid filling up your hard drive, choose a save folder on a drive with plenty of free space.
Good luck!