Windows 10 is Microsoft's latest operating system largely for desktops and laptops. Taking a screenshot is one of the most essential features on any platform and Windows is no different.
- How To Take A Screenshot Windows 10 Without Print Screen
- How To Take A Screenshot Windows 10 Hp Laptop
- How To Take A Screenshot Dell Laptop
- How To Take A Screenshot Windows 10 Lenovo
- How To Take A Screenshot Windows 10 Hp
- Note: Any additional screenshots you take using this method will be saved in the same folder with sequentially numbered file names. Of course Windows 10 gives you other options for capturing screenshots, including pressing Alt + Print Screen to capture only the currently active window.
- Computers running Windows 8 and 10 can use a keyboard shortcut to automatically take and save a full-screen screenshot, and all Windows versions support taking a full-screen screenshot by using the 'Print Screen' button.
If you're a Windows user and you've got something important on your screen that you want to capture, in this guide, we'll show you a few different ways you can take a screenshot of it.
While there are many different ways that you can take a screenshot on Windows 10, in this post, we'll focus on three of the easiest ways to capture your screen.
Table of Contents
1. Using the Snipping Tool
2. Using Print Screen
3. Using Game Bar
How to Use the Snipping Tool to Take A Screenshot
Microsoft has included the Snipping Tool since Windows Vista and it is one of the easiest ways to take a screenshot in Windows.
There are a couple of different ways that you can capture a screenshot using the Snipping Tool. We'll outline those methods below.
*In an upcoming update, the Snipping Tool will be taken over by a new feature called 'Snip & Sketch' which will provide the same functionality.
Opening the Snipping Tool and Using It
- Type ‘snipping tool' into the search bar and hit enter
- From the Snipping Tool menu, hit ‘New'
- This will give you a cursor that you can click and drag to select the area you want a screenshot of
- After you've selected your area, the tool will give you a preview of your screenshot
- If the screenshot looks good, you can save the screenshot as an image file, using ‘File > Save As…'
Using Snip & Sketch Hotkeys to Take A Screenshot
- Press ‘Windows logo key + Shift + S'
- Click and drag the cursor to select the area you want a screenshot of
- Open the prompt in the bottom right-hand corner of the screen to preview the screenshot
- In the top right corner, click the save icon to save your screenshot
*Using this method, before you save your screenshot, you can markup the image using the available writing tools.
Using Print Screen to Take A Screenshot
The Print Screen button is another easy way to take a screenshot in Windows 10.
There are a few different ways that you can use the Print Screen button to take a screenshot.
Use the Print Screen Button to Capture Your Entire Screen
- Hit the ‘Print Screen' or ‘PRT SC' button
- This will send a screenshot of your entire screen to your clipboard
- You can paste this image into any image editing program and edit it to your liking
*Just note that, if you have multiple monitors, this method will take a screenshot of all of your monitors in one extra wide image.
Using Print Screen to Capture and Immediately Save A Screenshot
- Press ‘Windows logo key + Print Screen' to capture your entire screen
- This will not only capture your entire screen, but it will also automatically save it
- You can find the saved screenshot in your Pictures > Screenshots folder
*As with above, if you have multiple monitors, this method will take a screenshot of all of your monitors in one extra wide image.
Using Print Screen to Take A Screenshot of the Active Window
- Press ‘Alt + Print Screen' to screenshot the active window
- This will send a screenshot of your active window to your clipboard
- You can paste this image into any image editing program and edit it to your liking
*With this method, the active window can be a single monitor in a multi-monitor setup, or the active window can be a program you are currently using.
Using Game Bar to Take A Screenshot
Windows Game Bar app will also allow you to take screenshots. It will also allow you to record your screen if you want to create a video.
To take a screenshot using Game Bar, do the following:
- Press ‘Windows logo key + G' to open the Game Bar
- Find the Capture menu and hit the camera icon
- You screenshot will save to your ‘Videos > Captures' folder
Conclusion
Taking a screenshot on Windows 10 is incredibly easy. In this post, we've provided you with three easy ways that you can take a screenshot of your screen. Whether you want to take a screenshot that you can edit in an image editing program, or you want to take a screenshot that will instantly be saved as an image file, one of the methods outlined above will help you achieve your goal.
Windows computers have long been equipped with the ability to take screenshots. However, it seems that Microsoft wants to expand our options. Now, we have many ways to take screenshots on Windows computers. We'll explore them one by one below.
Take a Screenshot of Your Entire Screen
To take a screenshot of your screen, you have the following options:
There are a few different ways that you can use the Print Screen button to take a screenshot.
Use the Print Screen Button to Capture Your Entire Screen
- Hit the ‘Print Screen' or ‘PRT SC' button
- This will send a screenshot of your entire screen to your clipboard
- You can paste this image into any image editing program and edit it to your liking
*Just note that, if you have multiple monitors, this method will take a screenshot of all of your monitors in one extra wide image.
Using Print Screen to Capture and Immediately Save A Screenshot
- Press ‘Windows logo key + Print Screen' to capture your entire screen
- This will not only capture your entire screen, but it will also automatically save it
- You can find the saved screenshot in your Pictures > Screenshots folder
*As with above, if you have multiple monitors, this method will take a screenshot of all of your monitors in one extra wide image.
Using Print Screen to Take A Screenshot of the Active Window
- Press ‘Alt + Print Screen' to screenshot the active window
- This will send a screenshot of your active window to your clipboard
- You can paste this image into any image editing program and edit it to your liking
*With this method, the active window can be a single monitor in a multi-monitor setup, or the active window can be a program you are currently using.
Using Game Bar to Take A Screenshot
Windows Game Bar app will also allow you to take screenshots. It will also allow you to record your screen if you want to create a video.
To take a screenshot using Game Bar, do the following:
- Press ‘Windows logo key + G' to open the Game Bar
- Find the Capture menu and hit the camera icon
- You screenshot will save to your ‘Videos > Captures' folder
Conclusion
Taking a screenshot on Windows 10 is incredibly easy. In this post, we've provided you with three easy ways that you can take a screenshot of your screen. Whether you want to take a screenshot that you can edit in an image editing program, or you want to take a screenshot that will instantly be saved as an image file, one of the methods outlined above will help you achieve your goal.
Windows computers have long been equipped with the ability to take screenshots. However, it seems that Microsoft wants to expand our options. Now, we have many ways to take screenshots on Windows computers. We'll explore them one by one below.
Take a Screenshot of Your Entire Screen
To take a screenshot of your screen, you have the following options:
How To Take A Screenshot Windows 10 Without Print Screen
1. The Snipping Tool
You've probably used this tool before. The Snipping Tool utility is the most popular way to take a screenshot of your screen. To use it, input Snipping Tool into the search box. From the search results, click on Snipping Tool to open the utility. Take a snapshot of your screen by clicking New. Drag the cursor to the area you want to capture. Lastly, save the screenshot.
2. Windows Key + Print Screen Button
By pressing the Windows key and the Print Screen button together, you can take a screenshot of your screen and save it to the clipboard. It will also save a screenshot file in the Screenshots folder.
3. Print Screen Button
Pressing the Print Screen button on your keyboard will save a shot of your current screen to the clipboard. To see it, use the paste shortcut (CTRL + V) on Microsoft Paint or Microsoft Word.
Take a Screenshot of an Active Window
If you prefer to take a screenshot of an active window, try any of these methods:
1. ALT + Print Screen
Pressing the ALT and Print Screen buttons together will save a screenshot of an active window to the clipboard. To view this screenshot, use the paste shortcut (CTRL + V) on Microsoft Paint or Microsoft Word.
2. The Snipping Tool
How To Take A Screenshot Windows 10 Hp Laptop
The Snipping Tool utility can also be used to take a screenshot of an active window. To do so, enter Snipping Tool into the search box. Click on Snipping Tool from the search results. Hit New to take a snapshot of an active window. Drag the cursor to the area of the active window. Save the screenshot.
It is worth noting, though, that the Snipping Tool can only capture the active window at the forefront. It cannot take a screenshot of a window that is fully or partially hidden.
Take a Screenshot with a Mouse Pointer
How To Take A Screenshot Dell Laptop
Do you want to capture your screen with a mouse cursor? Unfortunately, the screenshot methods above won't allow you to do so. Even the new Snipping Tool isn't capable of getting that mouse cursor in the image. So, we listed a few options you can try below:
1. Steps Recorder
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The Steps Recorder is a built-in program that allows you to troubleshoot an issue on your computer by recording the exact steps you took when it surfaced. You can then use and send this recording to a technician or to a support professional so they can help diagnose the problem.
Here's how to use Steps Recorder:
How To Take A Screenshot Windows 10 Hp
- Input Steps Recorder into the search box.
- Click Steps Recorder from the search results. The Steps Recorder app should now open.
- In the menu bar, click The app will now start capturing your actions.
- To stop the recording, hit A window will then pop up with all the recorded steps.
- Scroll down to locate the screenshot you need. Right-click on it to access the Context
- Hit Save to save the screenshot.
- Give the screenshot a name. Click Save.
- Close Steps Recorder by hitting the X button in the upper-right corner of your screen.
2. Third-Party Apps
If you don't feel like using the built-in screen recording app of Windows, you can install third-party screen recording apps to take a screenshot of your screen with your mouse cursor.
One of the most popular apps today which you can use to capture an image of your screen with your mouse cursor is IrfanView. This app works as an image viewer, organizer, editor, and converter program for Windows computers. It also plays audio and video files, as well as taking screenshots.
To use it to take screenshots, make sure you have it installed on your computer first. After that, launch the app and go to Options. Go to the menu bar and click Screenshot or Capture. A new window will now open. Select the Desktop Area – Current Monitor (Mouse) option. By default, CTRL + 11 are the hotkeys associated with screen capture. Hit Start to start capturing the screen with your mouse cursor. Hit the hotkeys to capture a screenshot.
Aside from IrfanView, there are other apps you can use to capture the mouse cursor in a screenshot. But they are mostly designed to show only the default look of a cursor. If that is fine with you, try Greenshot.
This app works the same way as IrfanView. Its only advantage is that it lets you move the cursor in the screenshot before you save it.
Before you install any third-party app on your Windows 10 computer, we suggest that you download and install a reliable PC repair tool to get your computer running fast and smooth, even when taking loads of screenshots. This tool can be used to locate unnecessary files, get rid of them, and create more room for new screenshots.
Summary
There are many different ways to take a screenshot of your screen. But among all, the Snipping Tool is, by far, the most popular. Not only does it capture active windows and full screens, but it can also be used to take shots in freeform shapes.
Then again, even with its popularity, it still isn't perfect. It doesn't have the ability to capture your screen with your mouse cursor on it. This is where third-party apps come in. Although these apps mostly require paid subscriptions, they actually come with loads of interesting features and functions, which are all worth trying. So, if you have some dollars to spare, then third-party apps may be your best and most reliable options.
Which of these screenshot methods do you find easy to use? We'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments.
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