Taking a screenshot on your Windows computer is super simple! Whether you want to capture the entire screen, just a part of it, or a specific window, this guide will walk you through the easy steps.
Steps to Take a Screenshot on Windows
1. Capture the Entire Screen (Using Print Screen)
To take a screenshot of everything on your screen:
- Press:
PrtScn(Print Screen) key on your keyboard. - This will capture the whole screen and copy it to your clipboard.
- To save the screenshot, open an app like Paint or Word, and paste it by pressing
Ctrl+V. - Then, save the image by clicking File > Save As.
2. Capture the Entire Screen and Save Automatically (Windows 10 and 11)
If you want to capture your entire screen and save it directly:
- Press:
Windows+PrtScn - This will take a screenshot and automatically save it in the Screenshots folder inside Pictures.
3. Capture a Specific Part of the Screen (Using Snipping Tool or Snip & Sketch)
Windows has built-in tools for more control over your screenshots.
- Press:
Windows+Shift+S(this opens Snip & Sketch). - Your screen will dim, and you can select the area you want to capture.
- Once you select the area, the screenshot is copied to your clipboard.
- You can paste it into an app (like Paint) or click on the notification that appears to edit and save it.
4. Capture a Specific Window
To capture only one window:
- Press:
Alt+PrtScn - This will capture the active window and copy it to your clipboard.
- You can paste it into any app (like Paint) to save it.
5. Use the Snipping Tool (Windows 7, 8, and 10)
For more options, you can use the Snipping Tool:
- Open the Snipping Tool from the Start Menu.
- Click New and select the type of screenshot you want (Free-form, Rectangular, Window, or Full-screen).
- After you take the screenshot, you can save it directly.
Where Do My Screenshots Go?
- Print Screen: If you press just
PrtScn, the screenshot is copied to your clipboard. You need to paste it into an app like Paint to save it. - Windows + PrtScn: The screenshot is automatically saved in the Screenshots folder in Pictures.
- Snip & Sketch or Snipping Tool: Screenshots are copied to your clipboard, but you can save them manually.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. How do I edit my screenshot after taking it?
After you take a screenshot, you can open it in an app like Paint, Photos, or any image editing software to crop, annotate, or edit the image before saving it.
Q2. Can I take a screenshot without saving it?
Yes! If you only want to copy the screenshot to your clipboard, use PrtScn, Alt + PrtScn, or Windows + Shift + S. Then, you can paste it into a program like Word, Paint, or Email without saving it as a file.
Q3. How do I capture a specific area of my screen?
To capture part of the screen, press Windows + Shift + S. This will let you click and drag to select the area you want to capture.
Q4. Can I take a screenshot on older versions of Windows?
Yes! The Snipping Tool is available on Windows 7, 8, and 10, and you can use PrtScn to take a screenshot on all versions of Windows.
Q5. My screenshots are not working, what can I do?
Make sure your keyboard keys are working correctly. Also, check if there are any software issues or update your Windows to the latest version.
Taking screenshots on Windows is easy and quick. Whether you want to capture the whole screen, a specific window, or just a part of your screen, these simple methods will help you get the job done. Try them out and start capturing everything you need!