How to Take a Screenshot on Windows

Taking a screenshot is a handy way to capture what’s on your screen. You can use screenshots to share information with others, document your work, or just save something for later. There are a few different ways to take a screenshot on Windows, and the best method for you will depend on your needs.

Using the PrtScn key

The easiest way to take a screenshot is to use the PrtScn key. This key is usually located in the top-right corner of your keyboard, near the Delete key. To take a screenshot, press the PrtScn key and then release it. This will copy the screenshot to the clipboard. You can then paste the screenshot into any image editing program, such as Paint, to save it or edit it.

Using the Windows key + PrtScn key

If you want to save the screenshot directly to your computer, you can use the Windows key + PrtScn key combination. This will save the screenshot as a PNG file in the Pictures folder. The filename will be the current date and time.

Using the Snipping Tool

The Snipping Tool is a built-in Windows program that can be used to take screenshots. To open the Snipping Tool, press the Windows key + S key. You will then see a toolbar appear at the top of your screen. Use the toolbar to select the type of screenshot you want to take. You can take a full-screen screenshot, a rectangular screenshot, or a freeform screenshot.

Once you have selected the type of screenshot, click and drag the cursor over the area of the screen you want to capture. The screenshot will be saved to the clipboard. You can then paste it into any image editing program, such as Paint, to save it or edit it.

Taking a Screenshot on Windows using the Xbox Game Bar

If you’re a gamer, we’re sure that you’re aware of a tool called the Xbox Game Bar that comes pre-installed on Windows. This overlay lets you quickly access Xbox social features, change per-app volume, see system resource usage, and – more importantly – take screenshots of an app or game. This is how you can take screenshots using the Xbox Game Bar :

Launch the Xbox Game Bar by pressing the Windows + G keys on your keyboard. You’ll see an overlay with various windows pop up on your screen.
In the top-right corner (by default), you’ll see a Capture window, and there, you can click the camera icon to take a screenshot of your currently open app.The Xbox app isn’t designed to capture the whole desktop, so the taskbar won’t be included in the screenshot. Screenshots taken using Xbox Game Bar are saved in the Videos library on your computer, inside a folder called Captures. In addition to taking screenshots, the Xbox Game Bar can also record your screen, though the same limitations apply. We have an article on how to record your screen if you’d like to learn more about that.

Using a third-party screenshot app

There are many third-party screenshot apps available that offer additional features, such as the ability to take screenshots of specific windows or areas of the screen, or the ability to add annotations to your screenshots. Some popular third-party screenshot apps include:

• Greenshot
• Nimbus Screenshot
• LightShot

Which method should you use?

The best method for taking a screenshot on Windows will depend on your needs. If you just need to take a quick screenshot to share with someone, the PrtScn key is the easiest option. If you want to save the screenshot directly to your computer, the Windows key + PrtScn key combination is the best option. And if you need additional features, such as the ability to take screenshots of specific windows or areas of the screen, or the ability to add annotations to your screenshots, you should use a third-party screenshot app.