How to Screenshot on Windows

Photo of author

By Vijay Singh Khatri

Working on any device, whether Windows, Mac, or Android, taking screenshots of what you’re doing and using them for other purposes becomes necessary at times. Some people are unfamiliar with how to take screenshots on their devices. This article discussed various methods for taking screenshots on Windows 10 and Windows 11.

To capture the entire PC screen, press the Prt Sc and/or Print Scrn buttons (print screen keys). Several applications and tools can take screenshots, but if you don’t want to use a third-party tool, you can take screenshots manually. We’ll go over how to take screenshots on Windows 10 and 11.

Taking a screenshot on Windows 10

There are several methods you can use to take screenshots on a Windows 10 system. Most of these methods are straightforward and can even be used by beginners. Different ways are mentioned as follows:

  1. Print screen key for gabbing a minimized or full-screen screenshot.
  2. Use the game bar to capture the computer screen, either full or minimized, on your Windows operating system.
  3. Alt + Prt Sc (print screen button).
  4. Print Screen + Windows
  5. Use the Snipping Tool app to capture a screenshot on a Windows device.
  6. Use the Snip & Sketch app to take a screenshot.
  7. Using a third-party tool or image editor for taking screenshots on a PC.

Let’s discuss each of this method

Method 1. Use the Print Screen key/shortcut

It is one of the simplest methods for taking a screenshot in Windows 10. This button is located near the function keys at the top of the keyboard. To make the print screen shortcut save the screenshot automatically, press the Windows key + print screen key. The screen will darken to indicate that you have taken a screenshot. This screenshot will be saved in the Pictures/Screenshots folder. The print screen key can be seen in the image below.

  • To capture your entire screenshot on Windows, you need to press the PrtScn key on the upper-right side of your keyboard.
  • This keyboard shortcut will automatically save the screenshot to your clipboard.
  • Paste the screenshot into any application, such as Microsoft Word or Microsoft Paint, and save it.
  • If you want to capture your entire screen and save it automatically, press the Windows key + Print Screen key [windows key print screen]. The screenshot will be saved to the Pictures > Screenshots folder.
  • On some keyboards, you might need to press the Function (Fn) key and the Print Screen button to capture the screen capture.

Even if you have several displays, they will be captured into a single image. By default, the screenshot is not saved as an image but copied to the clipboard. You need to paste it into any application and save it with the image extension.

Method 2. Alt + Prt Sc (print screen button)

It is another way of capturing your screen on a Windows 10 device.

  • To capture a single active window, you can use another keyboard shortcut, Alt + Prt Src (print screen).
  • To take a screenshot of an active window, first you need to select the desired window by clicking on it.
  • Then press Alt + Prt Sc (print screen button) or Windows key + Print Screen.
  • The image will be copied to the clipboard, which you can paste on any application and save it with an image extension.

You can do it with a keyboard shortcut, even to save the image as a file.

  • Press the Windows key + Prt Sc key, and it will save the image as a file.
  • It will be saved in C: Users user

Method 3. Windows logo + Print Screen

Another, most straightforward way to capture a PC screenshot on Windows 10 and automatically save the file is to simply press the Windows key + Prt Sc. On taking the screenshot, your screen will go dim, and it will be saved to the Pictures->Screenshots folder.

Each method works similarly. The difference is using the different combinations of keyboard buttons.

Method 4. Snipping Tool

The snipping tool is another helpful way to take screenshots in Windows. This tool allows you to customize, annotate, or share your screenshots. It has been around since Windows Vista.

  • It helps take a screenshot of the complete screen.
  • You can crop the part of your screen that you want to capture.
  • It comes with the feature of free-form screenshots.

But the screenshots do not automatically save as an image file, and you need to use their save option and select the location where you want to save them. Below are the simple steps to using the snip and snipping too.

  • You can open the snipping tool app from the search bar.
  • As shown below, a new window will appear where you can choose your mode.
  • You will also get the option to set a delay for taking a screenshot that enables you to take screenshots after a certain amount of time. This option is beneficial when you want to capture the pop-up menus and tooltips, as shown below.
  • If you want to take another screenshot, you need to click on “New.” The screen will fade out, and the cursor will become a cross. If you have selected the delay option, the screen will fade automatically after the selected number of seconds.
  • For taking a rectangular screen, you can click and drag to create a rectangle on the screen.
  • You can click and draw the shape you want for the free-form snippet. Once you leave the right-click, the screenshot will be taken.
  • For the window snip, you can click on the particular window you want to capture.
  • The tool will take a full-screen screenshot of the whole screen for the full-screen snippet.

After taking the screenshot, you will get various options to save the screenshot.

  • Go to File > Save as and select the desired location.
  • You can even share the file by going to File > Send to > Email recipient, or as an attachment to an email.
  • You can print the screenshot by going to File > Print.
  • You can also create a copy of the screenshot on your clipboard by going to Edit > Copy.

Method 5. Snip & Sketch app.

The Snip & Sketch app is an alternative to the Snipping Tool and is a beneficial tool for Windows users.

  • To activate Snip & Sketch, you can simply use the keyboard shortcut Windows Key + Shift + S, or search for it from the search bar.
  • A mini menu will appear at the top of your screen, making your screen dim.

This menu will provide you with various screen capture options, such as rectangular, free-form, window, or entire computer screen capture.

  • In the above image, the available options are described below, from left to right:
  • Rectangular PC screen Snip, Freeform Snip, Window Snip, and Full-screen Snip capture.
  • Once you take the screenshot, it will be saved to your clipboard.
  • You can then paste it (by pressing Ctrl+V or right-clicking > paste) onto a document or an image processor (like Paint or even Photoshop).
  • If you open the Snip & Sketch window using the search bar, a new window will appear, as shown below.
  • You can click on “New” to take a new screenshot, or click on the arrow pointing down next to it to snip in 3 or 10 seconds from then.
  • After selecting the above option, the screen will darken, and you will get a toolbar at the top of the screen with the same option as mentioned above.
  • After capturing the screenshot, the Snip & Sketch app will open, and you will see your screenshot. You can add annotations with a ballpoint pen, a pencil, or a highlighter, erase them using the eraser, use a ruler to make the annotations at the desired angles, and crop the screenshot.
  • After you edit the image, you can save it (to the desired location), copy it (to the clipboard), or share it (to any email recipient) using the buttons at the top right corner.

Additionally, note that when you capture a snip, it will automatically be copied to the Snipping Tool window for customization.

Method 6. Using the Game Bar.

Another exciting way to capture the screen is to use the Game Bar. It allows you to take a screenshot even if you are not playing a game. You can also record gameplay footage, record videos, and take screenshots. Below are the steps to using the game bar.

  • To open the game bar, you need to press the Windows key + G (also referred to as Windows key G).
  • But, you need to make sure that you are on the active window you want to capture before opening the game bar.
  • In the above image, you can see the window labelled “Broadcast & Capture” at the top right corner of the screen.
  • For taking the screenshot, click on the Camera icon, and the screenshot (full-screen image) will be saved as a PNG file at “C:UsersUsernameVideosCaptures.”

Enabling the recording screen for the game bar.

With Windows 10, you will automatically get the game bar. If you are not aware of this option, you must explore it. Below are the simple steps to recording the screen using the game bar.

  • To open the Game Bar, you need to press the Windows Key + G (Windows Key G). If it does not open, you need to enable it using the following methods.
  • Go to the Start Menu, click the cog icon to open the settings, select Gaming, and toggle on the switch “Record game clips, screenshots, and broadcast using Game Bar”.

It will open a page with the same Game Bar commands, such as opening the Game Bar, taking a screenshot, and starting and stopping a PC screen recording. You can also create your own shortcuts for these commands and enter them here.

After enabling the game bar, you can start recording your favourite game’s screen and game clips.

Recording your Screen with the Game Bar.

With the game bar, you can only record the screen of one application or active window at a time. In this case, it is the last window you clicked into. You cannot switch to another window after you start recording. It does not allow you to record the whole screen, so you cannot record the desktop or File Explorer. You can follow the simple steps mentioned below to record screen and game clips.

  • The screen recorder records all of the audio playing across applications on the device. Open any Windows application to record. You must think of the unwanted audio before recording.
  • Now press the Windows key + G to open the Xbox Game Bar.
  • Enable the microphone button to record the external audio. You can even add commentary or do a voiceover.
  • Click on the Record button to start recording, or you can simply press Windows + Alt + R to start recording without opening the Game Bar.
  • Then you will get a small pop-up bar with a timer and two recording controls.
  • Click on the microphone button to switch on and off your external mic and complete your recording.
  • Click on the stop button or press Windows + Alt + R to stop the recording, and it will be saved on your PC.
  • On the notification panel at the lower right corner, you will get a notification indicating “Game clip recorded.”
  • Click on that notification, and you will get the “Captures” folder or the screenshots folder in File Explorer.
  • You can also check your recording at “This PC” > “Videos” > “Captures” or in the screenshots folder.

Method 7. Using a third-party app

If any of the options mentioned above work well for you, you can opt for the third-party tools or applications that will help you capture your screen accordingly. Windows offers third-party integrations as an integral feature. These tools give you additional screen-capture functionality, such as capturing scrolling screen sharing between apps.The third-party tools come with integrations like image editing [image editor], project management, file sharing, and messaging to maximise worker productivity.

Some of the most commonly used third-party screen capture tools are as follows:

  • ShareX
  • PicPick
  • ScreenPresso
  • Snagit
  • Apowersoft Screen Capture Pro
  • Droplr
  • CloudApp
  • Screencast-O-Matic

Taking a screenshot on Windows 11

Windows 11 provides several options for capturing a screen.

Method 1. Using the Prt Sc key

Like Windows 10, Windows 11 also allows you to use the PrtSc key on an active window. Follow the below steps to take the screenshot.

  • Hit the PrtSc key.
  • It will save the screenshot to your clipboard, but it will not notify you that the screenshot has successfully been taken.
  • To take a look at the full-screen screenshot, you can use Ctrl-V to paste it into an application, such as Microsoft Paint or Microsoft Word, or even into the body of an email.

Method 2. Use Windows key + PrtSc key

Like hitting the PrtSc key windows key, hitting the Windows key + Print Screen keys will also capture a screenshot of your entire desktop, but only of an active window. Below are the simple steps to follow.

  • This option will also save the screenshot to a folder on your computer.
  • After hitting the Windows key + PrtScn key, the screen will flash, indicating the screenshot has been taken and automatically saved.
  • You can check the full-screen screenshots in Pictures->Screenshots.

Method 3. Use the Snip & Sketch Tool

If you want to take a screenshot of only a section or an active window, then the only option to take only a partial screenshot is to use the snip and sketch tool. Follow the simple steps below.

  • A mini menu will appear at the top of your screen, making your screen dim.
  • This menu will provide you with screen capture options such as rectangular, free-form, window, and entire computer screen capture.
  • In the above image, the available options are described below, from left to right:
  • Rectangular PC screen Snip, Freeform Snip, Window Snip, and Full-screen Snip capture.
  • Once you take the screenshot, it will be saved to your clipboard.
  • You can then paste it (by pressing Ctrl+V or right-clicking > paste) onto a document or an image processor (like Paint or even Photoshop).
  • If you open the Snip & Sketch window using the search bar, a new window will appear, as shown below.
  • To take a new screenshot, click on New or click on the arrow next to it to Snip in 3 or 10 seconds.
  • Once you have selected the above option, the screen will darken and a toolbar will appear at the top with the same options as mentioned above.
  • After capturing the screenshot, the Snip & Sketch app will open and you will see your screenshot. You can add annotations with a ballpoint pen, a pencil, or a highlighter, erase them using the eraser, use a ruler to make the annotations at the desired angles, and crop the screenshot.
  • Using the buttons at the top right corner, you can Save (to the desired location), Copy (to the clipboard), or Share (to any email address).

Also note that when you capture a snip, it will automatically be copied to the Snipping Tool window for you to customize.

Method 4. Using Snipping Tool

The Snipping Tool is built into Windows 11 and works almost the same as the tool used with a few tiny additions.

  1. It helps take a screenshot of the complete screen.
  2. You can crop the part of your screen that you want to capture.
  3. It comes with the feature of a free-form screenshot.

But the screenshots do not automatically save as an image file, and you need to use their save option and select the location where you want to save them. Below are the simple steps to using the snip and snipping too.

  • You can open the snipping tool app from the search bar.
  • A new window will pop up from where you can choose your mode choice, as shown below.
  • You will also get the option to set a delay for taking a screenshot that enables you to take screenshots after a certain amount of time. This option is beneficial when you want to capture the pop-up menus and tooltips, as shown below.
  • If you want to take another screenshot, you need to click on “New.” The screen will fade out and the cursor will become a cross. If you have selected the delay option, the screen will fade automatically after the selected number of seconds.
  • For taking a rectangular screen, you can click and drag to create a rectangle on the screen.
  • You can click and draw the shape you want for the free-form snippet. Once you leave the right-click, the screenshot will be taken.
  • For the window snip, you can click on the particular window you want to capture.
  • The tool will take a full-screen screenshot of the whole screen for the full-screen snippet.

After taking the screenshot, you will get various options to save the screenshot.

  • Go to File > Save as and select the desired location.
  • You can even share the file by going to File > Send to > Email recipient, or as an attachment to an email.
  • You can print the screenshot by going to File > Print.
  • You can also create a copy of the screenshot on your clipboard by going to Edit > Copy.

Conclusion

Windows is the most widely used operating system due to its simple and interactive user interface. With Windows OS, you will have several options for taking screenshots, recording audio and videos, selecting screen areas, and customizing them. If you are unfamiliar with the various methods for capturing the screen on your Windows 10 and Windows 11 systems, you should read this article, which includes simple steps for capturing and saving screenshots.

This article will show you how to become more productive by using simple keyboard shortcuts and tricks.

Leave a Comment