How to Take a Screenshot on Windows 2023 Complete Guide

Take a Screenshot on Windows

The easiest way to take a screenshot in Windows is to use the Print Screen (PrtScn) key on your keyboard. This key is usually located on the right side of the keyboard layout and is the most direct way to create a screenshot. After pressing the "PrtScn" button on your Windows desktop or laptop keyboard, you will enter screenshot capture mode, the screen will dim and a small menu will appear in the top center of the screen as shown in the image below. Here are the steps you can follow:

1. Press the "PrtScn" key.
2. Open an image editing tool such as Paint or Photoshop.
3. Press "Ctrl V" to paste the screenshot.
4. Edit as needed and save the screenshot.

However, the PrtScn key does not limit you to only one screenshot method. If you're wondering how to do it, here are some PrtScn key variations:

• PrtScn: Take a screenshot of the entire screen.
• Alt PrtScn: Take a screenshot of the active window.
• Win PrtScn: Take a screenshot of the entire screen and automatically save it in the "Screenshots" folder of "Pictures".

If your keyboard is not equipped with a Print Screen button, you can always access it using the Windows key Shift S key for older Windows systems. On some laptops, it's also worth mentioning that you may need to press the "Function" key and "PrtScn" on your keyboard to activate the Snip & Sketch tool.

Use the Window Snipping Tool

You will find that the Snipping Tool is a worthy companion that can increase the flexibility and control of taking screenshots. It has been a part of Windows for many years and offers several modes: free form, rectangular, windowed and full screen. To take a screenshot using the Snipping Tool:

1. Open the Snipping Tool (located under Windows Accessories in the Start menu).
2. Select the "mode" you want.
3. Click "New" to start taking screenshots.
4. After capturing, save the screenshot.

Use Snip & Sketch to take screenshots

Snip & Sketch is introduced to improve the user’s screenshot experience. This tool is very practical. This tool is gradually being replaced due to its more modern interface and added annotation capabilities. To use it, follow these steps:

1. Press Win Shift S.
2. Select the desired screenshot type (rectangular, free form, windowed or full screen).
3. The screen will dim, allowing you to select an area to take a screenshot.
4. The screenshot will be copied to the clipboard and you can paste it into any program.

The Snip and Sketch menu includes four main function icons as well as an "X" on the right, allowing you to exit the window screenshot tool and return to the desktop or an open application.

Region Screenshot Selector

The first icon on the left side of the toolbar is used to capture rectangular screenshots and allows You quickly draw a rectangular box around the desired area you want to capture. A crosshair will appear in place of your cursor icon, and you can simply select the screen by holding down the left mouse button while dragging the cursor over the area where you want to take the screenshot. Once you are satisfied with your selection, release the mouse button and the screen area will automatically be pasted to the clipboard, allowing you to paste it into a document or application.

Free Shapes

If you wish to capture a more free-form shape, the second icon on the left allows you to draw irregular shapes using your mouse. Afterwards, the captured screenshot is saved to the clipboard for easy pasting into a document or editing application for further manipulation or saving as a separate file.

Capture Window Application Screen

If you are working in a specific Windows app and want to capture the app window and its contents, the third icon from the left Allows you to easily capture a clean window frame containing application content. This is useful if you send documentation or want to capture the entire application frame with a share menu.

Full Windows Desktop Screenshot

Finally, the fourth icon from the left allows you to capture the entire desktop and allows you to take a screenshot without using a mouse Draw any rectangle. Again, the captured screenshot is saved to the clipboard for easy access in your preferred application or pasted into the document you are working on.

If you are using a Windows Tablet or 2-in-1 Convertible PC or similar computer and cannot access the Print Screen button on your keyboard, Microsoft also offers Another way to take a screenshot by pressing the power button and volume down button. When pressed simultaneously, you save a screenshot of the entire screen to the clipboard, allowing you to paste into another document or open it in an application for editing.

Third Party Screenshot Apps

If your needs exceed the capabilities of the built-in tools, there are several third-party apps you can turn to to enhance the capabilities of screenshots. Software like Lightshot, Snagit, and Greenshot offer features like editing tools, customizable hotkeys, and different screenshot modes.

** Please remember Use caution when downloading any third-party applications and make sure they are from reputable sources to avoid any potential security risks.

Whether it is for professional or personal use, learning to take screenshots on Microsoft Windows systems is a very useful skill. By using the above methods, you will be able to capture any activity on your screen easily. Whether you're documenting online transactions, capturing video moments, or saving information for later use, screenshots are an essential step.

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