how are people managing to screenshot on a hp notebook laptop?

Win + Shift + S doesn't save a file, it just copies to the clipboard. Click the little notification that pops up bottom right to open it in Snipping Tool and save it, or paste it straight into an email or chat. That's where most people think it didn't work. On Windows 11 the PrtSc key alone might open the snipping overlay too, there's a setting for it under Accessibility > Keyboard.

Windows + Shift + S and drag a box. Windows + PrtSc saves the full screen to Pictures > Screenshots. on most HP keyboards you need fn with PrtSc too.