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How To Print Screen

This article discusses four different methods for taking screenshots in Windows 10: 1) Using the Print Screen button to copy screenshots to the clipboard or save as files, 2) Using the Snipping Tool to take screenshots of windows, areas, or the entire screen and annotate them, 3) Using the Game Bar for screenshots of games via keyboard shortcuts, and 4) Using third-party screenshot tools like Snagit that offer more flexibility and features than the built-in Windows options. The article provides step-by-step instructions for each method.

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Alexander Claussen
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483 views

How To Print Screen

This article discusses four different methods for taking screenshots in Windows 10: 1) Using the Print Screen button to copy screenshots to the clipboard or save as files, 2) Using the Snipping Tool to take screenshots of windows, areas, or the entire screen and annotate them, 3) Using the Game Bar for screenshots of games via keyboard shortcuts, and 4) Using third-party screenshot tools like Snagit that offer more flexibility and features than the built-in Windows options. The article provides step-by-step instructions for each method.

Uploaded by

Alexander Claussen
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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How-To Geek

How to Take Screenshots in Windows 10


RAHUL SAIGAL @rahulsaigal30
UPDATED OCTOBER 15, 2018, 2:12PM EDT

A screenshot is an image taken of whatever’s on your screen.


Today we’re going to show you how to take a screenshot in
Windows.
You can take a screenshot on just about any platform, and taking
screenshots in Windows is no different. It has a built-in option
that works great for basic tasks, but many third-party programs
offer more ease of use and features. In this article I’ll show you a
few different ways to take a screenshot in Windows 10.

Method One: Take Quick Screenshots with Print


Screen (PrtScn)

The Print Screen button on your JUST THE STEPS


1. Press the PrtScn button to copy
keyboard can take a screenshot the screen to the clipboard
and save it as a file, take a 2. Press the Windows+PrtScn
screenshot without saving it as a buttons on your keyboard to save
the screen to a file
file, or take a screenshot of only
3. Use the built-in Snipping Tool
one window (instead of the whole
4. Use the Game Bar in Windows 10
screen). The print screen button
may be labeled as “PrtScn,”
“PrntScrn,” “Print Scr,” or something similar. On most keyboards,
the button is usually found between F12 and Scroll Lock. On
laptop keyboards, you may have to press the “Function” or “Fn”
key to access the Print Screen feature. When you press the key, it
will look like nothing happened, but the screenshot has been
saved to your clipboard.

To Save Your Screenshot as a File

Press the “Windows logo key + PrtScn.” If you’re using a tablet,


press the “Windows logo button + volume down button.” On
some laptops and other devices, you may need to press the
“Windows logo key + Ctrl + PrtScn” or “Windows logo key + Fn +
PrtScn” keys instead. Check your laptop’s manual for more
information.

The screen will dim for a moment, and you will see the
screenshot appear as a file in a folder entitled “Screenshots”,
inside your default “Pictures” folder. The screenshot is
automatically labeled with a number.
You will only see your screen dim if you have the “Animate
windows when minimizing and maximizing” turned on in your
visual effects settings (System > Advanced system settings >
Click the Advanced tab > Click Settings under Performance
section).
To Take a Screenshot Without Saving

Press the “PrtScn” key. A screenshot of your display is now


copied to the clipboard. Open your favorite image editor, word
processor, or other program you want to use the image in.
Choose Edit > Paste to paste the screenshot wherever you like.
The dimensions of the image will be the same as your desktop
resolution. Note: On some laptops and other devices, you may
need to press the “Alt + Fn + PrtScn” keys instead. Check your
laptop’s manual for more information.

To Take a Screenshot of Only One Window

Click on the title bar of the window that you want to capture.
Press “Alt + PrtScn”. A screenshot of your currently active
window will be copied to the clipboard, just as in the last section.
Paste it into your favorite image editor or document editor. Note:
On some laptops and other devices, you may need to press the
“Alt + Fn + PrtScn” keys instead. Check your laptop’s manual for
more information.

To Take a Screenshot of Part of Your Screen

Press “Windows + Shift + S”. Your screen will appear grayed out
and your mouse cursor will change. Click and drag on your
screen to select the part of your screen you want to capture. A
screenshot of the screen region you selected will be copied to
your clipboard. You can paste it in any application by selecting
Edit > Paste or pressing Ctrl + V, just as you’d paste a full-screen
shortcut taken with the Print Screen key.

This only works in Windows 10’s Creators Update. On older


versions of Windows, this shortcut is part of Microsoft’s OneNote
application. With the Creators Update, Microsoft integrated this
shortcut into Windows 10 itself.

Method Two: Take More Flexible Screenshots


with Snipping Tool

The Snipping tool has been a part of the Windows for long time.
This tool was first included in Windows Vista, and never got any
new features apart from few bug fixes. Snipping tool can take
screenshots of an open window, rectangular area, a free-form
area, or the entire screen. You can annotate your snips with
different colored pens or a highlighter, save it as an image or
MHTML file, or email it to a friend.

Snipping Tool in Windows Vista, 7, and 8 has one limitation: it


can’t capture screenshots that involve mouse movements. To
capture something that involves mouse movement, like pop-up
menus and tooltips, you will have to use the Print Screen method.

In Windows 10, Snipping Tool has a new “Delay” option, which


will allow you to capture screenshots pop-up menus and tooltips.
Open the Snipping Tool app and click Delay. From the drop-down
list, click on the number of seconds you’d like to wait until your
screenshot is taken.

Now choose the type of snip you want to make by clicking the
arrow next to “New.” You can choose from one of four types of
snip: free-form, rectangular, window, and full-screen.
Unlike a regular snip, the screen will not immediately fade out.
Instead, you will have between 1–5 seconds, depending on the
delay you chose, to set up your screenshots. You can use this
time to open that pop-up menu or tooltip you want to capture.
Once your seconds have passed, the screen will freeze and fade
out so you can create your snip. If you chose window or full-
screen, it will just capture the snip immediately.

Method Three: Use Keyboard Shortcuts with


Game Bar in Windows 10

Windows 10 ships with game DVR capabilities to record


gameplay footage and take screenshots of Windows PC games.
The Game Bar generates screenshots in PNG format, and saves
them in “C:\Users\[your username]\Videos\Captures.” Before you
start using the Game Bar, launch the Xbox app that came with
Windows 10 open its settings. Under “Game DVR”, toggle “Take
screenshots using Game DVR,” and assign whatever keyboard
shortcuts you want.
When you want to take a screenshot, use that keyboard
combination (“Windows key + G” by default) and click or tap on
the “Yes, this is a game” box if prompted. Now press the “Camera
icon” or “Win + Alt + PrtScn” to take a screenshot. Note: The
keyboard shortcut will only work if you have previously checked
the “Yes, this is a game” box for this specific game. You will see a
notification letting you know “Screenshot saved.” If you click or
tap on the notification, it will open to “Xbox > Game DVR > On this
PC” to see it.
Method Four: Take More Powerful
Screenshots the Easy Way with
Snagit

All of Windows’ built-in methods have their their own pros and


cons. If you take a lot of screenshots and want more flexibility
than the built-in tools offer, though, a third-party tool is your best
option.

If you don’t mind spending a few dollars, Snagit by Techsmith is a


top-notch tool that makes taking screenshots easy, has tons of
features that let you target specific windows, take region
snapshots, and even capture the full text of scrolling windows
like web pages.

You can take short videos if you want, annotate screenshots,


draw arrows and shapes, and pretty much anything you can
imagine a screenshot tool should be able to do. It’s a great tool
that we definitely recommend, especially if you need to take a lot
of screenshots.

There’s a free trial that you can download to check it out before
bothering to spend money on it. Once you try it, it’ll be hard to go
back to Windows’ barebones tools.

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RAHUL SAIGAL
Rahul Saigal is a technology writer with a half-
decade of experience covering everything from
software tips to productivity solutions. He's
written many approachable articles, in-depth tutorials, and even
eBooks. READ FULL BIO »

How-To Geek is where you turn when you want experts to explain technology. Created in
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