Do you know how to take screenshots on Windows?
Taking a screenshot on Windows is a simple process that requires no special software or technical skills.
In this article, we discuss the different methods for taking a screenshot on Windows, including keyboard shortcuts and built-in tools.
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How to Take a Screenshot on Windows
The different methods for taking a screenshot on Windows are outlined as follows:
Method 1: Take a Screenshot of the Entire Screen.
Method 2: Take a Screenshot of a Specific Window.
Method 3: Take a Screenshot of a Custom Area.
Method 4: Use the Windows Game Bar.
Take a Screenshot of the Entire Screen
The easiest and most common method to take a screenshot on Windows is to capture the entire screen.
This method is useful for capturing everything that is currently displayed on your screen, including multiple windows and applications.
Step 1: Press the "Print Screen" Key
The first step to take a screenshot of the entire screen is to press the "Print Screen" key on your keyboard.
The key is usually located in the upper-right corner of your keyboard and may be abbreviated as "PrtScn" or "PrtSc".
Step 2: Paste the Screenshot
Once you have pressed the "Print Screen" key, the screenshot of your entire screen will be saved to your clipboard.
To view the screenshot, you need to paste it into a program like Microsoft Paint or Microsoft Word.
Open the program and press "Ctrl+V" or right-click and select "Paste" to paste the screenshot into the program.
Take a Screenshot of a Specific Window
If you want to capture a specific window or application on your screen, you can use the built-in "Alt+Print Screen" keyboard shortcut.
Step 1: Select the Window
The first step to take a screenshot of a specific window is to select the window or application you want to capture.
Click on the window to make it active and ensure it is the front-most window on your screen.
Step 2: Press the "Alt+Print Screen" Key
Next, press the "Alt+Print Screen" keys on your keyboard. This will capture a screenshot of the active window only, rather than the entire screen.
Step 3: Paste the Screenshot
Just like with the previous method, the screenshot will be saved to your clipboard.
To view the screenshot, open a program such as Microsoft Paint or Microsoft Word, and press "Ctrl+V" or right-click and select "Paste" to paste the screenshot into the program.
Take a Screenshot of a Custom Area
If you want to capture a specific section of your screen, you can use the built-in "Windows+Shift+S" keyboard shortcut.
Step 1: Press "Windows+Shift+S"
To take a screenshot of a custom area, press the "Windows+Shift+S" keys on your keyboard.
This will open the "Snipping Tool" program, which allows you to select a custom area on your screen to capture.
Step 2: Select the Area
Once the "Snipping Tool" program is open, use your mouse to select the area you want to capture.
Click and drag your mouse to create a rectangular box around the area you want to capture.
Step 3: Save the Screenshot
After you have selected the area you want to capture, the "Snipping Tool" program will automatically save the screenshot to your clipboard.
To view the screenshot, open a program such as Microsoft Paint or Microsoft Word, and press "Ctrl+V" or right-click and select "Paste" to paste the screenshot into the program.
Use the Windows Game Bar
If you're a gamer or need to capture screenshots of games or other applications that run in fullscreen mode, you can use the Windows Game Bar.
Step 1: Enable the Game Bar
To enable the Game Bar, go to "Settings" > "Gaming" > "Game Bar" and turn on the toggle switch.
Step 2: Press "Windows+G"
Once the Game Bar is enabled, you can press "Windows+G" to open it.
Step 3: Take a Screenshot
To take a screenshot using the Game Bar, click the "Camera" icon or press "Windows+Alt+PrtScn".
The screenshot will be saved to your "Captures" folder in the "Videos" folder.
Final Thoughts
We hope this guide on how to take a screenshot on Windows helps you take screenshots like a pro in no time.