Windows · Copy only the active window

Screenshot

Windows · Linux

Alt+PrtSc

Mac

Not on this system

Copies only the window in front to the clipboard, not the whole screen, so nothing behind it ends up in the picture.

Group: Screenshot
Keys held: 2

Win-key combinations are captured before any program sees them — nothing can clash with them, and nothing can override them either.

Reading the key names

Keys joined by + are pressed together: Ctrl+Shift+P means hold Ctrl and Shift, then P.
On a Mac, Cmd is ⌘, Option is ⌥ (labelled Alt on some keyboards), Control is ⌃ and Shift is ⇧.
Windows Ctrl usually becomes Cmd on a Mac, but not always — this reference lists both combinations separately.
With a Korean, Japanese or Chinese input method active, shortcuts built on letter keys may not fire. Switch to Latin input and try again.
When a combination does nothing, another program has often claimed it as a global shortcut first.

Common questions

QWhat is the shortcut for Copy only the active window in Windows?

Copies only the window in front to the clipboard, not the whole screen, so nothing behind it ends up in the picture. It is Alt+PrtSc on Windows and — on a Mac.

QIs it the same on Windows and Mac?

No — Alt+PrtSc on Windows, — on a Mac.

QHow many keys is that?

2 pressed together. The combination sits under Screenshot in Windows.

Shortcuts nearby

Copy the whole screenPrtScCapture part of the screenWin+Shift+SSave the whole screen as a fileWin+PrtScOpen or close the Start menuWinOpen searchWin+SOpen SettingsWin+IOpen the Run boxWin+ROpen the Quick Link menuWin+X