How do I take screenshots in FSX?

To take a screenshot in Microsoft Flight Simulator X (FSX) or FSX: Steam Edition, press V during a flight. FSX captures the current camera view as a BMP image and normally saves it in Pictures\Flight Simulator X Files. Steam players may instead press F12 if the Steam Overlay and its screenshot shortcut are enabled.

These instructions apply to the original boxed or DVD release of FSX and FSX: Steam Edition. Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 and 2024 use their platform’s capture tools rather than FSX’s V-key system.

How to take an FSX screenshot with the V key

The native V key is the simplest and most dependable way to capture a Microsoft Flight Simulator X screenshot.

1. Set the camera. Select and position the cockpit, virtual cockpit, spot, tower or top-down view you want to capture. Our complete FSX keyboard and view-command reference lists the default camera controls.
2. Clean up the view. Close ATC, GPS, map and other pop-up windows unless they belong in the image. Press Shift+Z to cycle off the red flight-information text.
3. Press V once. FSX writes the screenshot immediately without opening a save dialogue. There may be little or no visible confirmation, so do not hold the key down.
4. Find the new BMP file. Open Pictures\Flight Simulator X Files and sort by date if the filename is not obvious.

The BMP is the file format, not a separate “BMP camera”. The V command records whichever FSX camera is active when the key is pressed. Use a Windows capture method instead when you need an exact image of desktop windows, dialogue boxes or applications outside the simulator.

Where does FSX save screenshots?

FSX normally saves V-key screenshots in your Windows Pictures library, not inside the FSX installation directory.

The usual path is:

C:\Users\<Windows account>\Pictures\Flight Simulator X Files

Older versions of Windows may display Pictures as My Pictures. If OneDrive or an administrator has redirected the Pictures library, look under the redirected location, commonly OneDrive\Pictures\Flight Simulator X Files.

A mistake we see often is searching the Steam folder or the main FSX programme directory. Native V-key captures do not normally go there. Steam F12 captures are separate and appear in Steam’s screenshot manager; its folder-opening command reveals the local copy.

If the folder is missing or you want the native captures stored elsewhere, see our explanation of how FSX chooses its screenshot folder and how to change it.

Should I use V, F12 or a Windows screenshot shortcut?

Choose V for a clean native FSX image, F12 for Steam’s screenshot library, or a Windows tool when you need to capture menus, several applications or only part of the screen.

How to take a screenshot on Windows while FSX is running

Windows+Shift+S is the most flexible Windows screenshot shortcut because it can capture a selected area, one window or the full screen.

1. Press Windows+Shift+S. Windows opens its screen-snipping controls.
2. Select a capture mode. Choose a rectangle, the FSX window or the entire screen.
3. Save the result. Open the resulting notification or paste the clipboard image into Paint with Ctrl+V, then save it.

Other standard Windows options are:

• Windows+Print Screen: captures the whole display and normally saves it under Pictures\Screenshots.
• Alt+Print Screen: copies the active FSX window to the clipboard. Paste it into Paint or another image editor to save it.
• Print Screen: copies the display or opens screen snipping, depending on the Windows Print Screen setting.
• Windows+Alt+Print Screen: captures the game through Xbox Game Bar when that Windows feature is enabled, normally placing the image under Videos\Captures.

On compact and laptop keyboards, Print Screen or F12 may share a media key and require Fn. Our overview of alternative flight-simulator capture methods also covers choosing a method for other simulators.

Why is F12 not taking screenshots in Steam?

F12 usually fails because the Steam Overlay is disabled, its screenshot shortcut has been changed, or another FSX command or utility is intercepting the key.

• Enable the overlay: Confirm that the Steam Overlay is enabled in Steam’s main settings and for FSX: Steam Edition.
• Check Steam’s shortcut: Inspect Steam’s screenshot settings rather than assuming F12 is still assigned.
• Launch through Steam: The overlay must attach to FSX for Steam’s screenshot command to work.
• Try the Fn key: Some keyboards require Fn+F12 to send an actual F12 keystroke.
• Close competing capture tools: Recording software, keyboard-profile utilities and overlays can claim F12 first.
• Use V as a control test: If V creates a BMP, FSX can capture images and the problem is limited to Steam or its overlay.

On FSX’s default controls, F12 also selects the top-down view. If the camera changes but no Steam screenshot appears, FSX received F12 while Steam did not. If both the screenshot and camera change, remap either Steam’s screenshot shortcut or the FSX view command to remove the conflict.

What is the Steam Controller screenshot shortcut?

The usual Steam Input screenshot chord is the Steam or Guide button plus the right trigger.

Controller layouts and guide-button chord settings can override that combination. If it does nothing, inspect the active Steam Input layout and confirm that the overlay works before changing FSX controls.

Why is the FSX screenshot key not working?

A missing key assignment, lost keyboard focus or blocked access to the Pictures folder usually explains why pressing V produces no visible file.

• Verify the assignment: Open FSX’s Controls settings and inspect the Buttons/Keys list for the screenshot or capture command. Restore V or assign another unused key.
• Return focus to FSX: Close text fields and dialogue boxes, then click inside the main simulator view before pressing V.
• Look in both Pictures locations: Check the ordinary Pictures library and any OneDrive-managed Pictures folder.
• Test folder access: Confirm that your Windows account can create a file inside Flight Simulator X Files.
• Check Windows security: Controlled folder access or other protection may block FSX from writing to Pictures. Allow the simulator through the relevant protection rather than disabling security entirely.
• Remove key conflicts: Temporarily close add-on managers, recording utilities and keyboard-mapping software that might intercept V.

If those checks do not isolate the fault, follow our focused fixes for failed FSX screenshot capture.

Why is my FSX screenshot black or showing the desktop?

A black or incorrect image usually comes from using a desktop capture shortcut with FSX’s legacy full-screen rendering.

Use the native V command first. If a Windows capture is required, press Alt+Enter to switch FSX to windowed mode, bring the simulator window to the front and try Windows+Shift+S or Alt+Print Screen again. Check the result before resuming the flight, especially when several monitors or overlays are active.

How do I convert FSX BMP screenshots to JPEG or PNG?

Open the BMP in Paint and use Save As to create a genuine JPEG or PNG copy.

• Choose JPEG when a smaller file is the priority, such as for general sharing.
• Choose PNG when you want sharper cockpit lettering, gauges and interface text without JPEG compression artefacts.
• Keep the original BMP until editing is complete, then export the final image once to avoid repeated quality loss.

Renaming a file from .bmp to .jpg does not convert it; it only gives BMP data the wrong extension. No dedicated converter is required for an ordinary FSX screenshot.

How can I take cleaner FSX screenshots?

Set up the simulator view before pressing V and preserve the original BMP until you have finished cropping or editing.

• Cycle off the Shift+Z flight-information text.
• Close ATC, map, kneeboard and GPS windows that are not part of the shot.
• Use the simulator at the intended display resolution before capturing; enlarging a small screenshot later cannot restore detail.
• Check the horizon, aircraft position and zoom before taking several variations.
• Export to PNG when small labels and instrument markings matter, or JPEG when file size matters more.