How to Take a Screenshot on Windows

Edited 1 week ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team

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Taking screenshots on a Windows computer is a very useful skill. Screenshots allow you to capture what is on your screen and save it as an image file, which can be shared or stored for later use. There are many ways to take screenshots on Windows, ranging from built-in keyboard shortcuts to using specific applications. In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through all the methods step-by-step using simple, easy-to-understand language.

Method 1: Using the Print Screen (PrtScn) key

The Print Screen key, often abbreviated as PrtScn, is one of the simplest and fastest ways to take a screenshot on Windows. Here's how you can do it:

Step-by-step instructions

1. Find the Print Screen (PrtScn) key on your keyboard. It's usually found in the top row, near the function keys (F1 to F12).
2. Press the PrtScn key. This will capture a screenshot of your entire screen and copy it to the clipboard.
3. To save a screenshot, open an image-editing program such as Paint.
4. In Paint, press Ctrl V to paste the screenshot.
5. Once the screenshot is pasted, you can edit it if necessary.
6. To save the screenshot, click File, then choose Save As. Choose the file format you want (e.g., PNG, JPEG) and save it to your preferred location.

Method 2: Using Alt Print Screen (PrtScn)

If you want to take a screenshot of only the active window (the window you are currently using), you can use the Alt PrtScn shortcut. Here's how:

Step-by-step instructions

1. Make sure the window you want to capture is active by clicking on it.
2. Press Alt PrtScn. This will capture a screenshot of the active window and copy it to the clipboard.
3. To save a screenshot, open an image-editing program such as Paint.
4. In Paint, press Ctrl V to paste the screenshot.
5. Edit the screenshot if necessary.
6. To save the screenshot, click File, then choose Save As. Choose the file format you want (e.g., PNG, JPEG) and save it to your preferred location.

Method 3: Using the Snipping Tool

The Snipping Tool is a built-in Windows application that provides more flexibility when taking screenshots. It allows you to capture specific parts of the screen and has several different capture modes. How to use it:

Step-by-step instructions

1. Open the Snipping Tool by searching for it in the Start Menu.
2. Once the Snipping Tool opens, click the Mode button. This will give you several options:
• Free-Form Snip: Allows you to draw a free-form shape around the area you want to capture.
• Rectangular Snip: Allows you to draw a rectangle around the area you want to capture.
• Window Snip: Captures a screenshot of a specific window.
• Full-screen Snip: Captures a screenshot of the entire screen.
3. Select the desired mode.
4. Click on New. This will start the snipping process. Follow the on-screen instructions to capture the desired area.
5. Once the screenshot is captured, it will appear in the Snipping Tool window.
6. You can make annotations or edits if needed.
7. To save the screenshot, click File, then choose Save As. Choose the file format you prefer and save it to your preferred location.

Method 4: Using the Snip & Sketch Tool

Snip & Sketch is a new tool that combines the functionality of the Snipping Tool with additional features. It allows you to take screenshots and mark them up quickly. Here's how to use Snip & Sketch:

Step-by-step instructions

1. Open Snip & Sketch by searching for it in the Start menu or by pressing the Windows logo key Shift S.
2. When you open Snip & Sketch, your screen will dim, and a small toolbar will appear at the top of the screen. The toolbar will give you several options:
• Rectangular Snip: Allows you to draw a rectangle around the area you want to capture.
• Free-Form Snip: Allows you to draw a free-form shape around the area you want to capture.
• Window Snip: Captures a screenshot of a specific window.
• Full-screen Snip: Captures a screenshot of the entire screen.
3. Select the snip type you want from the toolbar.
4. Once you select the snip type, the tool will allow you to capture the desired area.
5. Once you've taken a screenshot, it will appear in the Snip & Sketch window, where you can make annotations or edits if needed.
6. To save a screenshot, click the Save icon (floppy disk), choose the file format you want, and save it to your preferred location.

Method 5: Using the Game Bar

The Game Bar is a feature built into Windows 10 and 11 that is designed for gamers. However, it can also be used to take screenshots. Here's how:

Step-by-step instructions

1. Make sure the Game bar is enabled. You can enable it by going to Settings > Gaming > Game bar and toggling on the "Record game clips, screenshots, and broadcast using Game bar" option.
2. Press the Windows logo key G to open the Game bar.
3. When the Game Bar overlay appears, look for the camera icon (this is the screenshot button). You can also press the Windows logo key Alt PrtScn to take a screenshot directly.
4. Click on the camera icon to take a screenshot.
5. The screenshot will be saved automatically. You can find it on your computer by going to the Videos > Captures folder.

Method 6: Using third-party applications

There are many third-party applications available that provide advanced features for taking screenshots. Some of the popular ones are Snagit, Lightshot, and Greenshot. These tools often come with additional functionalities like editing tools, cloud storage options, and more. Here is a brief description of how to use them:

Overview of popular third-party applications

Snagit

Snagit is a feature-rich screenshot and screen recording tool. It is suitable for users who need advanced features. Its basic steps are as follows:

1. Download and install Snagit from the official website.
2. Open Snagit and select the Capture button.
3. Select the area or window you want to capture.
4. Once the screenshot is captured, it will open in the Snagit editor, where you can make further edits.
5. Save the screenshot in your desired format and location.

Lightshot

Lightshot is a lightweight and user-friendly screenshot tool. How to use it:

1. Download and install Lightshot from the official website.
2. Press the PrtScn key (LightShot takes over this key).
3. Drag the cursor to select the area you want to capture.
4. You can comment on the screenshot if needed.
5. Save the screenshot to your favorite location or upload it to the Lightshot server to share via URL.

Greenshot

Greenshot is an open-source screenshot tool that offers a good balance of features and simplicity. How to use it:

1. Download and install Greenshot from the official website.
2. Press the PrtScn key (Greenshot takes over this key).
3. Select the area of the screen you want to capture.
4. Once you've taken a screenshot, you can save it, copy it to the clipboard, or open it in the Greenshot image editor.
5. Save the screenshot in your desired format and location.

Additional tips and tricks

Here are some additional tips and tricks to enhance your screenshot-taking skills:

• Use Windows Shift S: This shortcut opens the Snip & Sketch tool directly, allowing you to select the area of the screen you want to capture.
• Use OneDrive to save automatically: If you use OneDrive, you can configure it to automatically save your screenshots to the cloud, allowing for easy access from any device.
• Set up custom shortcuts: Some third-party tools allow you to set up custom keyboard shortcuts for taking screenshots, saving time and making the process more efficient.
• Learn editing tools: Many screenshot tools come with built-in editing features such as cropping, adding text, creating shapes, and more. Familiarizing yourself with these tools can help you create more polished and informative screenshots.

Conclusion

Whether you're using a built-in Windows feature or a third-party application, taking screenshots on a Windows computer is a straightforward process. By mastering the various methods and tools available, you can efficiently capture and save information. Whether for work, education, or personal use, screenshots are a valuable resource for documenting and sharing your digital experience.

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