How to print screen on Windows?

Have you ever wanted to capture your screen, but didn’t know how? Well, you no longer need to worry as there are several ways for you to print your screen on Windows. This article will show you 8 ways to print screen on Windows.

No matter if you want to save the entire screen or just a piece, here are all the best ways to take a Windows screenshot.

The Print Screen button

Yes, the obvious and in-your-face, option is the Print Screen button, which also happens to be the easiest way to take a screenshot of your entire screen on Windows 10 or Windows 11. You need to press the Print Screen (PrtScn) button on your keyboard. 

The screenshot will be copied to your clipboard, in order to save this screenshot, paste it into any program that allows you to insert images, for example, Microsoft Word or Paint.

Alt + Print Screen

If you wish to capture just the active window you are working in, press the Alt + PrtScn keys. The screenshot will be copied to your clipboard, which you can then paste into another program to save.

The Windows key + Print Screen

If you want to take a screenshot on Windows 10 or Windows 11 which will automatically be saved in the Screenshots folder, press the Windows + PrtScn keys. The screen will go dim and a screenshot of the entire screen will be saved to the Screenshots folder.

How to use the Snip & Sketch tool in Windows 10?

Windows 10’s Snip & Sketch is the best way to screenshot on Windows if you want customization, or if you wish to annotate, or share your screen captures.

To bring up Snip & Sketch, use the keyboard shortcut Windows Key + Shift + S. The screen will go dim and a mini menu will appear at the top of the screen, this provides you the options to take a rectangular, free-form, window, or full-screen capture.

Thanks to these Snip & Skitch options, you can choose how to take a screenshot:

Mode    Function

Rectangular        Size a rectangle for your screenshot.

Free-form            Draw free-hand with your cursor.

Window               Choose a specific window to capture.

Full-screen          To Grab an image of your entire screen.

After the screenshot is captured, it will be saved to the clipboard and a preview notification will appear in the bottom-right of the screen.

Click on the preview notification to open the Snip & Sketch app, here you can save, share, or edit the screenshot with the available tools.

How to use the Snipping Tool in Windows 11?

In Windows 11, the Snipping Tool received a major upgrade which now makes it the best way to take custom screenshots.

To initiate the Snipping Tool in Windows 11, to do so search for it or press the Windows + Shift + S keys. Similar to the Snip & Sketch, the screen will go dim and a toolbar of screenshot options will appear at the top. The toolbar allows you to take a rectangular, freeform, full-window, or full-screen capture.

After you have taken the screenshot, it will be copied to the clipboard so you can share it right away, this will also be saved to the Screenshots folder. Once you click on the preview that appears in the bottom-right of the screen, you will be able to save as well as edit it.

The Game Bar

The Game Bar is an overlay that can be used within most Windows apps as well as games to take screenshots and record videos. To do so follow the steps below to open and use it: 

1. Press the Windows + G keys.

2. Once the overlay menu opens, click the Capture button (indicated by the camera icon), at the top menu to bring up the Capture menu.

3. In the Capture menu, click the camera icon, this will then take a screenshot. You also have the ability to record a video clip by pressing the record button, you also have the option to include audio by clicking the microphone icon. 

Screenshots, as well as video clips captured by the Game Bar, will be saved in PNG and MP4 format respectively, you can find them in the Videos > Captures folder in File Explorer. You can find them through the Game Bar’s Gallery, to do so click Show my captures > See my captures underneath the screenshot and record buttons in the Capture menu.

Power + Volume Up

If you have a Microsoft Surface device, then to take a screenshot on Windows 10, press the Power Button + Volume Up Button. The screen will go dim, then the screenshot will be saved to the Pictures > Screenshots folder.

Third-party screenshot apps for Windows

If you are not satisfied with any of the built-in Windows methods, you can always use the third-party screenshot tools in the market, each has its extra offerings.

• Lightshot is a free screenshot tool designed for quick and easy social sharing. After you download and install Lightshot on Windows 10, the Print Screen function will be replaced with more editing capabilities.
• Greenshot is also a free tool that allows you to edit and customize screenshots, along with the option to capture a complete scrolling web page.
• ScreenRec is a free Windows recording tool that allows you to capture as well as share videos & screenshots. ScreenRec also provides tools for annotating the recordings as well as screen grabs. It also instantly creates a link that can be shared with others so they can view the screenshots or recordings.
• Snagit is a screenshot tool that allows you to create animated GIFs, take full-page screenshots, and much more. The catch is that the premium version costs $50. You do get a 30-day free trial option, however, any picture you capture during the trial contains a watermark.
• Screencast-O-Matic is a web-based video editor & screen-sharing tool to record on-screen activities. This also has the ability to take screenshots, you just need to sign up for a free account. There is an option to upgrade to a premium account to unlock advanced features, starting at $4 a month.

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