To take a screenshot on a Windows computer, you have several easy methods: 1. Using the Print Screen (PrtScn) Key
- Press the PrtScn key to capture the entire screen. This copies the screenshot to your clipboard. You can then paste it into an image editor (like Paint) using Ctrl + V and save it manually.
- Press Alt + PrtScn to capture only the active window to the clipboard.
- Press Windows key + PrtScn to capture the entire screen and automatically save the screenshot as a PNG file in your Pictures > Screenshots folder. Your screen will briefly dim to confirm the capture
2. Using the Snipping Tool / Snip & Sketch
- Press Windows key + Shift + S to open the snipping toolbar.
- Choose from four modes: Free-form, Rectangular, Window, or Full-screen snip.
- Select the area or window to capture. The screenshot is copied to your clipboard, and a notification appears allowing you to edit and save it
3. Using the Game Bar (for Windows 10/11)
- Press Windows key + G to open the Game Bar.
- Click the screenshot button to capture the screen.
- Screenshots taken this way are saved automatically in the Videos > Captures folder
Additional Tips:
- On some laptops (e.g., HP), you may need to press Fn + PrtScn if the PrtScn key is shared with another function
- You can paste screenshots into Microsoft Word and save them as images if you want an alternative to image editors
These methods cover quick full-screen captures, selective area captures, and active window captures, giving you flexibility depending on your needs.
