Introduction:
Screenshotting on the Windows operating system is one of the fundamental skills that turn out to be very useful in various situations. Whether you want to capture a specific window or the entire desktop Windows has the capability to do it all. In this guide, we are going to go through some of the simplest methods for taking screenshots on Windows thereby allowing you to have access to your visual information with ease.
How to take screenshot on Windows?
There are multiple ways that can be used to taka a screenshot on windows professionally.
Screenshot on Windows using the Print Screen key:
Here’s a detailed guide on how to take a screenshot on Windows using the Print Screen key:
1. Capture the Entire Screen:
– Find the “PrtScn” key (Print Screen) on your keyboard. It may have a different name, such as “PrtSc” or “Prtscn SysRq”.
– Capture the whole screen by pressing “PrtScn”.
2. Capture the Active Window:
– In case you want to target only the active window, ensure that it is focused.
– Press the “Alt” and then press the “PrtScn” key.
3. Access the Screenshot:
– You now have a captured screenshot in your clipboard.
– Find and open an image editor (such as Paint, Photoshop, Microsoft Word or PowerPoint).
– Copy the screenshot by pressing “Ctrl + V”.
4. *Saving the Screenshot as a File (Optional): *
– The screenshot can be easily saved to a file by pasting it into an image editor and then using the edit or export features of that software.
However, these steps can differ slightly depending on your keyboard layout and Windows version.
Screenshot on Windows using the Snipping Tool:
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to take a screenshot on Windows using the Snipping Tool:
1. Open the Snipping Tool:
– Click the “Start” button and then enter “Snipping Tool” in the search box.
– Choose the “Snipping Tool” from the options in the search.
2. Choose the Snip Type:
– In the Snipping tool window, select the ‘New’ option.
– They include Free-form Snip, Rectangular Snip, Window snips and Full -screen snips. Pick the one that works for you.
3. Capture the Screenshot:
– Based on the snipping type you chose, you can adjust according to the prompts that are displayed.
4. Annotate (Optional):
– The Snipping Tool offers only some simple annotation tools. If necessary, you may annotate the screenshot by highlighting it or using a marker.
5. Save or Copy:
– After you do that, click on the File and select Save to save the screenshot as an image file or Copy if you want it copied onto your clipboard.
The Snipping Tool is a useful tool for many different kinds of screenshot requirements since it provides mobility in capturing specified sections of the screen.
Also read: How to screenshot on MAC
Screenshot on Windows using Snip & Sketch:
Here’s a guide on how to take a screenshot on Windows using Snip & Sketch, available on Windows 10 and later:
1. Open Snip & Sketch:
– The Snip & Sketch can be easily opened by clicking the Start button and then typing “Snip.”
– Choose Snip and Sketch from the search results.
2. Choose Snip Type:
– On the Snip & Sketch window, click on the New.
– You can choose the Rectangular Snip, Freeform or even to capture the entire screen using Full screen snip.
3. Capture the Screenshot:
– For Rectangular Snip or the Freeform Snip, click and drag to select the captured area.
– For the Full screen Snip, it freezes the entire screen immediately.
4. Annotate (Optional):
– Snip & Sketch has many annotation tools that you can also use to edit your screenshot. You can sketch, highlight or even text.
5. Save or Share:
– click on the disk icon to save your screenshot.
– Alternatively, you can also take advantage of the Share button to forward the screenshot directly onto other apps or contacts.
Snip & Sketch is a very handy tool that allows the users to take, markup and share screenshots on Windows 10 or later.
Screenshot on Windows 8 using the Windows key and Print Screen key:
To take a screenshot on Windows 8 and later versions using the Windows key and Print Screen key, follow these steps:
1. Capture the Entire Screen:
– Click on the “PrtScn” (Print Screen) key of your keyboard. On certain keyboards, it might be necessary to use the “Fn + PrtScn.”
2. Capture and Save to Files (Windows 8 and 10):
– To capture the entire screen and save it as a file, press the Windows key + PrtScn. The selection will dim for an instant to show that the image was taken.
– The screenshot is stored as an image file under the “screenshots” folder in the pictures library.
3. Capture and Save to Clipboard (Windows 8 and later):
– Pressing Alt + PrtScn does not save the screenshot but it directly copies it to your clipboard. This captures only the active window on the given screen.
– You can then press Ctrl + V to insert the captured image in any image editor or document.
Conclusion:
In the end, taking screenshots on Windows is a very easy task that can be easily accomplished using different approaches. Whether you want to use the old-fashioned “PrtScn” button for grabbing the whole screen or resort to a more advanced version, such as “Snipping Tool” or “Snip & Sketch”, Windows offers effective tools depending on your requirements. These features enable the users to conveniently capture their visual data, which strengthens the efficiency and user-friendliness of this process.
