Find the MSFS 2020 screenshot location for Xbox Game Bar, Windows and Steam F12 captures, plus fixes when the expected folder is empty.
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 screenshots are saved according to the capture method, not the simulator edition. Xbox Game Bar normally uses C:\Users\<Windows user>\Videos\Captures, Win+Print Screen uses C:\Users\<Windows user>\Pictures\Screenshots, and Steam F12 captures go to Steam's screenshot library and its userdata folder on disk. MSFS itself does not create a single screenshot directory.
Which folder contains MSFS 2020 screenshots?
The correct folder depends on the keyboard shortcut or capture utility used.
| Capture method | Default location | How to find it |
|---|---|---|
| Xbox Game Bar: Win+Alt+Print Screen | C:\Users\<Windows user>\Videos\Captures | Open the Game Bar gallery and use its open-folder command. |
| Windows: Win+Print Screen | C:\Users\<Windows user>\Pictures\Screenshots | Open Pictures, then Screenshots in File Explorer. |
| Steam: F12 | <Steam folder>\userdata\<Steam account ID>\760\remote\1250410\screenshots | Open MSFS in the Steam screenshot manager and show the capture on disk. |
| Print Screen by itself | Usually the Windows clipboard | Paste the image into an image editor and save it manually. |
| Snipping Tool | Pictures\Screenshots or a manually selected folder | Check the tool's gallery and automatic-save setting. |
| Graphics-driver overlay | The overlay's configured media folder | Open its capture gallery or recording settings. |
The Microsoft Store, Xbox app and Steam editions do not assign the folder by themselves. For example, a Steam owner using Xbox Game Bar will find the image under Videos\Captures, not Steam. Our guide to capturing MSFS screenshots with the available shortcuts and camera options explains when to use each method.
Why is my MSFS screenshot folder empty?
An empty folder usually means a different capture shortcut was used, Windows redirected the folder, or Print Screen copied the image without saving a file.
- Match the shortcut to the folder. Win+Alt+Print Screen belongs to Game Bar, Win+Print Screen uses the Windows Screenshots folder, and F12 normally belongs to Steam.
- Check OneDrive and redirected libraries. If Windows backs up or relocates Pictures, the file may be under
C:\Users\<Windows user>\OneDrive\Pictures\Screenshots. A relocated Videos library also moves Game Bar's Captures folder. - Open the capture gallery. Game Bar and Steam can reveal the actual file location, which is safer than assuming the default path.
- Search by file type and date. Search This PC for
*.pngand*.jpg, then sort by date modified. - Check the clipboard. If you pressed Print Screen alone, paste into an image editor before taking another screenshot or copying anything else.
Do not search the MSFS Community, Official or installation folders; normal screenshots are not stored with simulator packages. If captures are not being created at all, use our MSFS screenshot troubleshooting steps for missing files and failed shortcuts.
Does MSFS 2020 Showcase mode save screenshots?
Showcase mode controls the camera but does not determine where an image is saved. After positioning the drone or external camera, use Game Bar, Steam, Windows or another capture utility to create the actual file.
How do I preserve screenshots before reinstalling Windows?
Copy the relevant Captures, Screenshots and Steam screenshot folders to another drive before reinstalling. Steam users should also inspect every account-number folder under userdata if more than one account has used the PC. Our Windows reinstall backup checklist for flight simulators covers the other local files that simmers commonly overlook.