You can take a screenshot from Windows 11 pretty quickly, so why waste time taking notes? The desktop operating system comes with various screen-capture tools, many of which are built right into the device. This article will tell you how to take a screenshot in Windows 11/10.
Taking a screenshot of your screen is a great way to share interesting information or funny pictures with your friends, on forums or online in general. It is common for people to take screenshots for work purposes. There may be other times when you need to share one with some of your friends. Snapping a screenshot is simple. Good screenshots with accurate and clear markings require effort and proper techniques.
Why Do We Need To Take Screenshots in Windows?
There are countless reasons why you may need to take a screenshot in Windows. Perhaps you need to capture an app or webpage to demonstrate its interface to someone else. You may need to screenshot an excerpt from a newspaper and post it on social media to make your point. Highlight the relevant parts of the extract.
Maybe there is a picture you can’t save anywhere else on the internet or in one of your programs. You need not worry. There are various ways in Windows 11 to take a screenshot, regardless of the reason you need to do so.
How to Take a Screenshot in Windows 11/10?
There are various ways to take a screenshot in Windows 11/10, which also apply to Windows 10. Few methods are listed below:
- PrtScr / PrtScr (Print Screen)
- Windows+PrtScr
- Alt+PrnScr
- Win+Shift+S
- Snipping Tool
- Xbox app Game Bar
Let’s check out all the ways you can capture screenshots one by one.
1] Using the PrtSc / PrtScr (Print Screen) key
Taking screenshots with this method is one of the most common methods used by Windows users. You will usually find the key in the top row of your keyboard. Follow these steps to take a screenshot:
- Press the PrtScr key on your keyboard. It will capture the screen and save it to your Clipboard.
- You can then open MS Paint, Word document, etc. > Press Ctrl+V to paste it. Your Screenshot will be available in the desired location.
If some software blocks you from using PrtScr, you may try using the Ctrl+PrtScr key to take screenshots.
2] Using the Windows + PrtSc Key
Following are the steps for taking the Screenshot to capture the whole screen and save it as a file:
- Press the Windows key + PrtSc key on your keyboard.
- On some laptops with the PrtSc key as a function key, you may also need to hold the Fn key.
- The screen will become dim for a moment, and then you can snap the Screenshot.
- Screenshots are saved automatically in the Pictures > Screenshots folder.
That’s all.
3] Using the Alt + PrtScr Key
Windows allows you to take a screenshot of the currently active window on your desktop. Thus, you won’t need to crop the image to see the active window, as you did in the previous screenshots of Windows. To do so, follow the steps given below:
- Press Alt+PrtScr to take a screenshot of any active window.
- Press Ctrl + V to paste the images into any other application that can accept images from the Clipboard, including Microsoft Office, Microsoft Paint, Google Sheets, or Docs.
It is only possible to capture the active windows in this method, not the entire screen.
4] Using the Win+Shift+S Key
This key shortcut lets you open the snipping toolbar on your keyboard to select a portion of your screen to capture. To do so, follow the steps given below:
- Press Windows + Shift + S keys on your keyboard.
- Your screen will darken and display a small toolbox in the top centre.
- The toolbox contains the Rectangular Snip, Freeform Snip, Window Snip, and Full-Screen Snip options from left to right.
- Select any options from the toolbox > Position your cursor and drag the mouse on the area you would like to capture.
Taking a screenshot here will copy the image to the Clipboard, which you will have to paste into MS Paint or any other editing software on your PC.
5] Using the Snipping Tool
Snipping Tool is another way of capturing your Windows 11/10 PC screenshots. The all-in-one screenshot tool lets you capture, edit, sketch, and more, using the captured screenshots. Moreover, it enables you to capture a selected screen area and save it directly as an image file. To take screenshots using this, follow the steps given below:
- Open the screen you want to capture first.
- Press Windows key + Shift + S key on your keyboard or type snipping tool in windows search to open the app.
- The Snipping Tool will open > Click New to initiate a screen capture, or you can choose from the free-form, rectangle, window, or full-screen modes from the Mode drop-down menu to customize your Screenshot.
- Choose your delay option from the Delay drop-down menu. With the snipping tool, you can delay your Screenshot for up to five seconds.
- Click New, it will open a tab where you can select the shape you want to capture.
- Place your cursor in the screen area you wish to capture and drag it there.
- The Screenshot will be captured automatically, and then you can mark, highlight, pen, writing, crop, copy, etc., on your Screenshot from the Snipping Tool application.
With the Snipping Tool, you can save the image by clicking the floppy disk icon or another application that allows you to paste and save images from the Clipboard.
6] Using the Xbox App Game Bar
The Game Bar is another effective way to take screenshots and record games in Windows. You can manage all of your gaming activities, including chat and music, from one place. Furthermore, you can also capture the on-screen gameplay action on your PC. Follow these steps to use the game bar for taking screenshots:
- Press Windows key + G key on your keyboard > The Xbox Game Bar overlay will pop up.
- There will be a floating window labelled Capture located in the upper left-hand corner of the screen.
- The bottom pane of the Capture window will show the currently active window > Ensure that no separate window is active if you want to capture the entire screen > Click on the taskbar before you open the app to do that.
- Click on the camera icon to capture a screenshot. You will get an Xbox-styled notification saying Screenshot saved.
- The Xbox Game Bar app will automatically save the Screenshot to the capture folder. You can find it at C Drive > Users > Your Username > Videos > Captures.
I hope the post was helpful., and you now know multiple ways to take a screenshot in Windows PC.
Where Can I Find Screenshots in Windows?
Depending on the method, screenshots are saved in different places. If you use the Windows + PrtSc key method, you will save your screenshots in the Pictures > Screenshots folder, and if you use the Xbox Game Bar method, you will save them in the C drive > Users > Your Username > Videos > Captures folder.
Which Shortcut Key Does Windows Have for Taking a Screenshot?
You can also take screenshots in Windows by pressing the PrtSc key, Windows + PrtSc key, Windows + Shift + S, or Windows key + G. There are extra steps to some of these shortcuts; check out the complete method above.
What is the Best Way to Take Screenshots on Windows? Where does it Get Saved?
Pressing the Windows + Print Screen keys simultaneously on your keyboard is the easiest way to take screenshots in Windows. Your computer then saves the Screenshot in the Pictures > Screenshots folder. This article has also discussed different methods for taking screenshots in Windows.
