👨‍🏫 Tutorial AutoHotkey v2.0 | Auto-Save Screenshots in Windows (AHK + Batch File Guide)

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This guide shows how to automatically save Win + Shift + S screenshots to a folder without manual pasting using AutoHotkey (AHK) and a Batch File.

Tools Used​

1. Windows Snipping Tool (Win + Shift + S)​
2. AutoHotkey v2.0 (for automating the process) → You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now.​
3. Batch File (CMD & PowerShell) (for handling file storage)​

How It Works​

Press Win + Shift + S → Screenshot is copied to clipboard
AHK script triggers the batch file
Batch file creates a folder with today's date
Screenshot is auto-saved inside that folder with sequential numbering

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Final Folder Structure Example:

C:\Users\Administrator\Pictures\Screenshots\
    ├── 2025-02-24\
    │   ├── screenshot1.png
    │   ├── screenshot2.png
    ├── 2025-02-25\
    │   ├── screenshot1.png

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Step 1: Install AutoHotkey​

Download & Install AutoHotkey v2.0 from You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now.

Step 2: Create the AutoHotkey Script​

Open Notepad and paste the following code:

#Requires AutoHotkey v2.0

#+s:: {
    ; Simulate pressing Win + Shift + S (to trigger Windows Snipping Tool)
    Send("#+s")
 
    Sleep(1000) ; Wait for clipboard to update

    ; Run batch script to save the screenshot
    Run("C:\Users\Administrator\Documents\Batch File\autosave_screenshot.bat", , "Hide")
}

Save it as screenshot.ahk
Run the script (Right-click → Run Script)

Step 3: Create the Batch File​

Open Notepad and paste the following code:

@echo off
setlocal enabledelayedexpansion

:: Define base screenshots folder (Auto-adjusts to current user's account)
set "baseFolder=C:\Users\%USERNAME%\Pictures\Screenshots"

:: Get today's date in YYYY-MM-DD format
for /f "tokens=2 delims==" %%I in ('"wmic os get localdatetime /value"') do set datetime=%%I
set "dateFolder=%baseFolder%\%datetime:~0,4%-%datetime:~4,2%-%datetime:~6,2%"

:: Ensure today's folder exists
if not exist "%dateFolder%" mkdir "%dateFolder%"

:: Auto-increment filename
set "count=1"
:check
if exist "%dateFolder%\screenshot!count!.png" (
    set /a count+=1
    goto check
)

:: Save clipboard image to next available file
powershell -command "Add-Type -AssemblyName System.Windows.Forms; [System.Windows.Forms.Clipboard]::GetImage().Save('%dateFolder%\screenshot!count!.png')"

echo Screenshot saved as %dateFolder%\screenshot!count!.png

Save it as autosave_screenshot.bat
Store it in: C:\Users\Administrator\Documents\Batch File\autosave_screenshot.bat

Step 4: Run the AHK Script​

1. Double-click screenshot.ahk to run the script
2. Press Win + Shift + S → Screenshot will be automatically saved!

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Final Result​

Every time you take a screenshot (Win + Shift + S), it will:
Create a folder per day
Save the screenshot automatically
Name it sequentially (screenshot1, screenshot2, etc.)

🛠 Troubleshooting​

Screenshots aren’t saving?
✔ Check that the batch file path is correct in the AHK script
✔ Ensure AutoHotkey is running
✔ Manually run the batch file to see if it works

Want to change the save location?
✔ Edit baseFolder in the batch file

Done! No more manually pasting into Paint or other apps. Feel free to modify & improve the script.