7 Ways to Take Screenshots in Windows with Step-by-Step

Screenshots are essential for various purposes, including presentations, technical troubleshooting, and more. However, many people need to be made aware of the different ways to take screenshots on Windows and may end up using third-party software or taking photos of their computer screens. In this article, we will explore seven step-by-step methods of taking screenshots in Windows.

Before we delve into the different methods of taking screenshots in Windows, it is essential to understand the two types: full and partial. A full screenshot captures everything currently visible on your screen, while a partial screenshot captures only a portion of the screen. With this in mind, let us explore the seven methods of taking screenshots in Windows.

Method 1: Use the Print Screen Key

This method is the simplest and most commonly used for taking full screenshots. Here are the steps to follow.

1. Navigate to the screen you want to capture.
2. Press the Print Screen key, usually located at the top right of most keyboards.
3. The screenshot will be saved to your clipboard.
4. Open the image editing software or document and paste the screenshot using “Ctrl + V” or “right-click + paste.”

Pros:

• Quick and easy to use
• It works on all versions of Windows.

Cons:

• It cannot capture specific areas of the screen.
• Does not allow editing of the screenshot.

Method 2: Use the Alt + Print Screen keys.

This method captures only the active window, making it perfect for multitasking. Here are the steps to follow.

1. Click on the window you want to capture to make it active.
2. Press the “Alt + Print Screen” keys.
3. The screenshot will be saved to your clipboard.
4. Open image editing software or a document and paste the screenshot using “Ctrl + V” or “right-click + paste.”

Pros:

• Captures the active window only (specific window)
• It works on all versions of Windows.

Cons:

• It cannot capture specific areas of the screen.
• Does not allow editing of the screenshot.

Method 3: Use the Windows Key and Print Screen Keys

This method captures and saves a full screenshot directly to your computer’s “Pictures” folder. Here are the steps to follow.

1. Navigate to the screen you want to capture.
2. Press the “Windows key + Print Screen” keys simultaneously.
3. The screenshot will be saved to the “Screenshots” folder within your computer’s “Pictures” folder.
4. Open the folder and find your screenshot.

Pros:

• Captures the entire screen quickly and easily.
• Saves the screenshot automatically to your Pictures folder.

Cons:

• It cannot capture specific areas of the screen.
• Does not allow editing of the screenshot.

Method 4: Using the Snipping Tool

This method is perfect for capturing partial screenshots. Here are the steps to follow.

1. Open the “Snipping Tool” by searching for it in the Windows search bar.
2. Click on “New” in the Snipping Tool menu.
3. Select the area of the screen you want to capture using the tool.
4. The screenshot will be displayed in the Snipping Tool editor.
5. Save the screenshot by clicking “File” and then “Save As.”

Pros:

• It allows you to capture specific areas of the screen.
• Provides essential editing tools such as highlighting, a pen, and an eraser

Cons:

• Not available in all versions of Windows
• Limited editing features compared to other methods

Method 5: Using Snip and Sketch

This method is an improved version of the Snipping Tool and allows you to take screenshots and edit them. Here are the steps to follow.

1. Open the “Snip & Sketch” app by searching for it in the Windows search bar.
2. Click on “New” in the Snip & Sketch
3. Select the type of screenshot you want to capture: rectangular, free-form, full-screen, or window.
4. After selecting the type, the screen will grey out, and you can select the area you want to capture.
5. The screenshot will be displayed in the Snip & Sketch editor.
6. Edit the screenshot using the tools provided, such as highlighting, cropping, and drawing.
7. Save the screenshot by clicking “File” and then “Save As.”

Alternatively, 

1. Press “Windows key + Shift + S” on your keyboard.
2. The screen will grey out; you can select the area you want to capture.
3. The screenshot will be displayed in the Snip & Sketch editor.
4. Edit the screenshot using the tools provided, such as highlighting, cropping, and drawing.
5. Save the screenshot by clicking “File” and then “Save As.”

Pros:

• It allows you to capture specific areas of the screen.
• Provides quick access to the Snip and Sketch editor for editing and annotation.

Cons:

• Only available on Windows 10 and Windows 11
• An additional step is required to open the Snip and Sketch editor.

Method 6: Use the Game Bar

This method is for capturing screenshots while playing games or running full-screen applications. Here are the steps to follow.

1. Launch the game or full-screen application you want to capture.
2. Press “Windows key + G” to open the game bar.
3. Click on the “Screenshot” button on the Game Bar or press the “Windows key + Alt + PrtScn” keys.
4. The screenshot will be saved to your “Videos” folder in a subfolder called “Captures.”

Pros:

• It allows you to capture screenshots while playing games or running full-screen applications.
• Quick and easy to use

Cons:

• Only available on Windows 10 and Windows 11
• It cannot capture specific areas of the screen.

Method 7: Using Third-Party Software

If you need help with the above methods, you can use third-party software such as Greenshot, Lightshot, or ShareX. Here are the steps to follow.

1. Download and install the third-party software of your choice.
2. Launch the software and follow the instructions provided to take a screenshot.
3. Save the screenshot using the software’s editor or your preferred image editing software.

Pros:

• Provides advanced editing tools and features
• Can capture specific areas of the screen
• It can be customized to suit your needs.

Cons:

• Requires additional software installation and setup.
• Some software may not be accessible.

In conclusion, taking screenshots in Windows is essential for various purposes, and several methods exist to achieve it. Following the step-by-step instructions in this article, you can take full and partial screenshots using the print screen key, alt + print screen key, Windows key + print screen key, Snipping Tool, Snip & Sketch, Game Bar, or third-party software. With these tools, you can easily capture and share screenshots for your needs.

FAQs