An ultimate guide on how to take a screenshot on windows laptops, and computers PCs.

Windows is the largest popular operating system provided by Microsoft for desktops, laptops, and servers. It provides various tools to perform the task on the Windows system. Taking a screenshot on windows computer systems is one of the best features provided by the Windows operating system.

How to Take a Screenshot on Windows

You can easily take screenshots on Windows laptops and computers using shortcut keys and tools like snipping tools, snip & sketch.

Here are different methods to screenshot on Windows systems

Method 1: Using PrintScreen Key

Methods 2: Using the snipping tool

How to Capture a Screenshot with PrtScr key

The PrtScr (print screen) key can be available on any laptop keyboard or external keyboard. Using the PrtScr key, you can capture a screenshot of your windows screen.

Step 1: Windows+PrtScr – Press the keys with a combination of Windows and print screen to take the entire screen snapshot.

Step 2: By default, the screenshot will be saved in PNG format.

Step 3: To open screenshots – navigation to file explorer Windows key + e

Step 4: Go to the Picture folder

Step 5: Now open the screenshot folder

Now you view the screenshot image and can edit and copy it as per your requirements.

Windows Shortcut keys to take a screenshot

  • Windows+PrtScr – Entire screen screenshot
  • Alt+ PrtScr – Current Screen

How to Screenshot on Windows using the Snipping tool

The snipping tool is one of the best windows applications to take screenshots. With the snipping tool, you can take the desired portion of the screenshot and save it in your system.

Step 1: From start menu -> open snipping tool or on search bar search for snipping tool

snipping tool

Step 2: In mode options, you can choose the required option to take the required screenshot. i.e.

  • Free-form Snip
  • Rectangular Snip
  • Window Snip
  • Full-screen Snip

Take Screenshot on Windows snipping tool

Step 3: Click on option New

Step 4: Now the screen freezes

Step 5: With the mouse, choose the desired area by right click and drag.

Step 6: Save the screenshot in the desired format like PNG, JPEG, GIF file, and single-file HTML. By default, images are saved in PNG format.

Step 7: You can save the screen by shortcut key ctrl+s or file -> save as.

Shortcut cut keys to capture screenshots on windows using the snipping tool.

  • Ctrl+N: New Snip
  • Ctrl+S: Save as
  • Ctrl+P: Print
  • Ctrl+C: Copy
  • Ctrl+E: Edit with Paint 3D

Tip: If you are using an Apple Mac computer, follow these steps to take a screenshot on your Mac system.

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