ByIn today’s digital world, taking screenshots on Windows has become a prevalent but necessary task. Whether you need to save an error message, an online receipt, or share information on social media, screenshots are a useful tool. In this article, we will provide a detailed explanation of all the methods for taking screenshots on Windows 10, Windows 11, and Windows 7.
Taking a screenshot using the Print Screen (PrtScn) button
The Print Screen button is located at the top of the keyboard, and pressing it saves a copy of the entire screen to the clipboard.
How to use on Windows 10 and 11:
1. Press PrtScn – the screenshot of the entire screen will be saved to the clipboard.
2. Open Paint or Word, then press Ctrl + V – the screenshot will be pasted there.
3. Now you can save it.
This method is faster, but the screenshot has to be saved manually.
Automatic Screenshot using Windows + PrtScn
This method saves the screenshot directly to the Pictures > Screenshots folder.
How to do it:
Press the Windows + PrtScn buttons simultaneously.
The screen will dim for a moment, indicating that the screenshot has been taken.
You can view the file by going to C:\Users\YourName\Pictures\Screenshots.
Screenshot of Active Window using Alt + PrtScn
If you just want a screenshot of the window you are working on, then this method is better.
Procedure:
Press Alt + PrtScn.
The screenshot will be saved to the clipboard.
Paste it in Paint, Word, or any image editor with Ctrl + V and save.
Using Snipping Tool (Available in Windows 7, 10, and 11)
Snipping Tool is an inbuilt Windows application that lets you capture a selected portion of the screen.
How to use:
1. Search and open Snipping Tool in the Start Menu.
2. Click New and select the part of the screen you want to screenshot.
3. The screenshot will open in an editing window where you can save it.
In this, you can capture free-form, rectangular, window, and full screen.
Snip & Sketch Tool (Updated Tool in Windows 10 and 11)
Snip & Sketch is an upgraded version of Snipping Tool that comes with advanced features.
How to use:
1. Press Windows + Shift + S.
2. The screen will dim, and a toolbar will appear in which:
Rectangular Snip
Freeform Snip
Window Snip
Full Screen Snip
3. Choose the mode, click on it, and make a selection on the screen.
4. The screenshot will be saved to the clipboard, and you will get a notification.
5. You can edit by clicking on that notification.
Taking Screenshots with Xbox Game Bar (Especially for Gamers)
The Xbox Game Bar is also a great option for taking screenshots in Windows 10 and 11.
Process:
1. Press Windows + G to open the Xbox Game Bar.
2. Go to the “Capture” window.
3. Click the camera icon – the screenshot will be saved in C:\Users\YourName\Videos\Captures.
This is best suited for capturing screens while playing games.
Taking Screenshots with Third-Party Software
If you want more features like advanced editing, shortcut customization, or cloud storage, you can use the third-party tools given below:
1. LightShot
Easy and fast.
Direct editing and sharing after a screenshot.
2. Greenshot
Open-source tool.
Features include custom area capture, window capture, image upload, etc.
3. ShareX
For professional users.
Screen recording, custom screenshots, automatic uploads, etc.
Taking Screenshots on Windows Tablets or Touchscreen Devices
If you have a touchscreen laptop or Windows tablet, you can follow the steps below:
On a touchscreen device:
Press the Power Button + Volume Down at the same time.
The screenshot will be saved in Pictures > Screenshots.
Taking a Full Screenshot of a Web Page (in Edge or Chrome)
Sometimes we need a screenshot of the entire webpage, not just the visible part.
Chrome Extension:
Install an extension like GoFullPage.
You can take a screenshot of the entire webpage with one click.
Microsoft Edge:
Right click > click “Web capture”.
Take a screenshot of the entire page or a custom selection.
How to save and manage screenshots?
1. Organize screenshots in a folder, like “Work Screenshots”, “Receipts”, etc.
2. Add date and description to the file name, so it’s easy to find in the future.
3. Sync to Google Drive or OneDrive if you want a cloud backup.
Conclusion
Taking screenshots on Windows is now easier and faster than ever. Whether you are a professional, a student, or a gamer, the above methods can help you capture screens as per your requirement. We hope you got all the necessary information from this detailed guide.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Do I need the internet to take screenshots in Windows?
Answer: No, the internet is not required to take screenshots in Windows. It is a local process that happens on your device.
Q2: Can I change the shortcut for screenshots?
Answer: Shortcuts cannot be changed in Windows’ default tools, but you can set custom shortcuts in third-party software like ShareX.
Q3: What is the difference between Snipping Tool and Snip & Sketch?
Answer: Snipping Tool is an old Windows tool, while Snip & Sketch is a new version with a better user interface and sharing/editing options.
Q4: Where is the file saved after taking a screenshot?
Answer:
Windows + PrtScn: Pictures > Screenshots folder
Xbox Game Bar: Videos > Captures folder
Snip & Sketch or Snipping Tool: Manually “Save As”
Question 5: How do I take a screenshot on a touchscreen device?
Answer: Press the Power Button + Volume Down at the same time. The screenshot will be automatically saved to Pictures > Screenshots.
Question 6: Can I save a screenshot directly to a PDF?
Answer: Yes, you can save a screenshot to a PDF by opening it in Paint or another image viewer and clicking on the “Print > Microsoft Print to PDF” option.
Question 7: Is it possible to edit a screenshot?
Answer: Yes, you can crop, highlight, or annotate a screenshot with Snip & Sketch, Paint, or third-party tools like LightShot, Greenshot.
Question 8: Can I take a screenshot of an entire web page?
Answer: Yes, an entire web page can be captured using an extension like GoFullPage or the Web Capture feature in Chrome or Edge browser.
Question 9: Why does the screen dim when you take a screenshot?
Answer: It is an indication that the screenshot has been taken successfully. This happens especially with Windows + PrtScn or Snip & Sketch.
Question 10: Can the screenshot file size be reduced?
Answer: Yes, you can reduce the file size using Paint, TinyPNG, or other image compression tools.
