Taking screenshots on an iMac is simple once you know the right keyboard shortcuts—but many users find it confusing, especially if they are switching from Windows or Android. macOS has multiple screenshot combinations, different saving behavior, and a built-in Screenshot tool that works differently from other operating systems.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to print screen on iMac, along with helpful variations like how to print screen on MacBook, MacBook Air, Mac keyboard shortcuts, and even how to print screen on Mac using a Windows keyboard.

Before we begin, here are some helpful internal links for other Apple and productivity tutorials:

• 👉 How Do I Enable iMessage on My iPhone
• 👉 How to Enable Copilot in Office 365
• 👉 How to Turn On Word Count in Google Docs

❗ Why Taking Screenshots on iMac Is Not as Simple as Android

On Android phones, taking a screenshot is very easy—just press Power + Volume Down, and your screenshot is instantly saved.

But on iMac and macOS, things are more confusing because:

✔ Multiple shortcut combinations

macOS has different shortcuts for full, partial, and window screenshots.

✔ Screenshots save to your desktop automatically

Unlike Android, there is no instant share option.

✔ Mac keyboards don’t have a “Print Screen” key

You must use combinations like Shift + Command + 3 instead.

✔ Windows keyboard usage is different

Windows keyboards require different key mapping when connected to Mac.

✔ Copy-paste behavior requires extra keys

Taking a screenshot and pasting into apps requires special shortcuts like Control + Shift + Command + 4.

Because of these differences, new users often search for how to print screen on mac keyboard or how to print screen on mac with windows keyboard.

🖼️ 1. How to Print Screen on iMac (Full Screenshot)

This captures the entire screen.

Shortcut:

Shift + Command (⌘) + 3

Your screenshot saves automatically to the Desktop.

🔲 2. How to Print Screen a Selected Area on iMac

Perfect if you want to capture only part of your screen.

Shortcut:

Shift + Command (⌘) + 4

You will see a crosshair → drag to select the area → release to capture.

🪟 3. How to Print Screen a Specific Window on iMac

Use this to capture only one app window.

Shortcut:

1. Press Shift + Command + 4
2. Press Spacebar
3. Click the window

This saves a clean screenshot with shadow effects.

📋 4. How to Print Screen on Mac and Paste (Copy Screenshot to Clipboard)

If you want to directly paste into Word, Mail, Docs, or Chat:

Copy Entire Screen to Clipboard

Control + Shift + Command + 3

Copy Selected Area to Clipboard

Control + Shift + Command + 4

Now press Command + V to paste.

This helps users searching how to print screen on mac and paste.

💻 5. How to Print Screen on MacBook & MacBook Air

All MacBooks use the same shortcuts as iMac.

For full screenshot:

Shift + Command + 3

For selected area:

Shift + Command + 4

For copy-paste:

Control + Shift + Command + 4

These help with how to print screen on MacBook and how to print screen on MacBook Air and paste searches.

⌨️ 6. How to Print Screen on Mac Keyboard

Mac keyboards do not have a Print Screen button.
Instead, use these:

• Full Screen: Shift + Command + 3
• Partial Screen: Shift + Command + 4
• Window Screenshot: Shift + Command + 4 → Space

🪟 7. How to Print Screen on Mac with Windows Keyboard

If you’re using a Windows keyboard on a Mac:

Windows Key = Command (⌘)

Alt Key = Option (⌥)

So shortcuts become:

Full Screenshot

Shift + Windows key + 3

Selected Area

Shift + Windows key + 4

This solves the common confusion around:
📌 “how to print screen on mac with windows keyboard”

🖥️ 8. Using the Screenshot Toolbar on iMac (For More Options)

Press:

Shift + Command + 5

You will see options to:

• Capture full screen
• Capture window
• Capture selection
• Record screen
• Choose save location

Great for creators, teachers, and tutorial-makers.

🏁 Conclusion

Taking screenshots on iMac is powerful once you learn the right shortcuts. Although it feels complicated compared to Android or Windows keyboards, macOS provides more flexibility and control through its built-in screenshot tools.

Whether you want to take full-screen captures, window shots, selected areas, or copy screenshots to clipboard, this guide covers everything for iMac, MacBook, MacBook Air, and Windows keyboard users.

❓ FAQs – How to Print Screen on iMac

1. Why is there no Print Screen button on Mac keyboards?

Because macOS uses shortcut combinations instead of a dedicated key.

2. Where are screenshots saved on iMac?

They automatically save to the Desktop unless you change the location.

3. How do I paste a screenshot directly?

Use Control + Shift + Command + 4 to copy, then paste with Command + V.

4. How do I print screen with a Windows keyboard on Mac?

Press Shift + Windows Key + 3 or Shift + Windows Key + 4.

5. Can I change the screenshot save location?

Yes, via Shift + Command + 5 → Options → Save to.