01Using the Print Screen Key

  • Press the Print Screen key (often abbreviated as PrtScn or PrtSc) on your keyboard. It is usually located in the upper right section of the keyboard, near the Function keys.
  • The Print Screen key captures the entire screen and copies it to the clipboard. You won't see any visual feedback when you press the key.
  • Open an image editing program or any application that allows you to paste images, such as Paint, Microsoft Word, or Photoshop.
  • Paste the screenshot into the application by pressing Ctrl + V or right-clicking and selecting 'Paste'.
  • The screenshot will be pasted into the application as a new image. You can now save it or make any edits if desired.

02Using the Snipping Tool

  • Open the Snipping Tool. You can do this by searching for 'Snipping Tool' in the Windows Start menu.
  • Once the Snipping Tool is open, click on 'New' to start the snipping process.
  • Drag the cursor to create a selection around the area you want to capture. You can choose from different snip types like Free-form, Rectangular, Window, or Full-screen snip.
  • After creating the selection, the captured image will open in the Snipping Tool editor. You can make simple annotations or highlight areas if needed.
  • Save the snip by clicking on 'File' > 'Save As'. Choose a destination folder, enter a filename, select a file type (JPEG, PNG, GIF, or MHT), and click 'Save'.

03Using the Windows Game Bar

  • If you're running Windows 10, you can use the Game Bar to quickly capture screenshots during gaming or other activities.
  • To open the Game Bar, press the Windows key + G on your keyboard.
  • Click on the 'Capture' button (camera icon) in the Game Bar toolbar. Alternatively, you can press Windows key + Alt + PrtScn to capture the entire screen.
  • A notification will appear in the lower-right corner of your screen, indicating that the screenshot has been captured. Click on the notification to open the screenshot in the Xbox app, where you can view, annotate, and share it.
  • To access the saved screenshot file directly, go to the 'Videos' folder in your user profile directory and navigate to the 'Captures' folder.

Conclusion

Capturing screenshots on Windows is a straightforward process once you know the different methods. Whether you prefer using the Print Screen key, the Snipping Tool, or the Windows Game Bar, you can easily capture, edit, and save screenshots of your screen. Start utilizing this useful feature to enhance your productivity and effectively communicate with others.

MethodsDetails
Print Screen KeyPress the Print Screen key to capture the entire screen and copy it to the clipboard.
Snipping ToolUse the Snipping Tool to select and capture specific areas of your screen.
Windows Game BarIf you're running Windows 10, use the Game Bar to quickly capture screenshots during gaming or other activities.
Windows
screenshot
capture screen
screen capture