How to Take a Screenshot on Windows PC in 2023: A Step-by-Step Guide

Are you wondering how to take a screenshot on your Windows PC? Whether you want to capture an image of your desktop, a specific window, or just a portion of your screen, taking a screenshot is a simple process. It is a simple and easy task that can come in handy in many different situations

Don’t be sad. We are here to teach you how to screenshot any windows pc. These steps work in all versions of Windows PC.

In this guide, we’ll provide a step-by-step explanation of taking a screenshot on a Windows PC.

Step 1: Determine what you want to capture

Before you take a screenshot, you need to decide what you want to capture. Do you want to capture your entire desktop, a specific window, or just a portion of your screen? The method you use to take the screenshot will depend on what you want to capture.

Step 2: Use the Snipping Tool

The Snipping Tool is a built-in screenshot tool replaced by Snip & Sketch in Windows 10 October 2018 Update) in Windows that allows you to capture a portion of your screen. This tools was released in Windows Vista by Microsoft. You can use it to capture screenshots of an open window, rectangular areas, a free-form area, or the entire Windows 10 screen. This tool can be used to capture screenshots of an open window, a free-form area, rectangular areas, or the entire Windows 10 or Windows 11 screen. The screenshots can be saved as an image file (in PNG, JPEG or GIF format) or an HTML file. It also lets users do some basic image editing of the snapshot taken by you with different colored pens, an eraser and a highlighter. Here’s how to use it:

1. Press the Windows key and type “Snipping Tool” in the search bar.
2. Click on the Snipping Tool app to open it.
3. Click Mode in the Snipping Tool window and select the required option as your requirement. You need to setup this up only once unless you want to try new options.
4. Click on “New” in the Snipping Tool window.
5. Select the portion of the screen you want to capture by clicking and dragging your mouse over the area.
6. The captured image will open in the Snipping Tool window. You can edit it by using the tools provided, such as the pen, highlighter, and eraser.
7. Click “Save” to save the screenshot.

Step 3: Use the Print Screen (PrtScn) key

The Print Screen (PrtScn) key is located in the upper right corner of most keyboards. The captured screenshot will be saved in the clipboard and use image editors for further editing. Here’s how to use it:

1. Step 1: Navigate to the screen you want to capture.
2. Step 2: Press the Print Screen key on your keyboard. This will capture an image of your entire desktop.
3. Step 3: Open an image editing program, such as Microsoft Paint or Adobe Photoshop.
4. Step 4: Press Ctrl + V or right-click and select Paste to paste the screenshot into the image editing program.
5. Step 5: Save the image to your desired location by clicking on the File menu and selecting Save As.

Step 4: Use the Windows Key + Print Screen (Win+PrtScn) key

The Windows Key + Print Screen (Win+PrtScn) key combination captures an image of your entire screen and automatically saves it to your Pictures folder. Here’s how to use it:

1. Step 1: Navigate to the screen you want to capture.
2. Step 2: Press the Windows key + Print Screen key on your keyboard. This will capture an image of your entire desktop and save it to your Pictures folder.
3. Step 3: Open your Pictures folder and look for the Screenshots folder. Your screenshot should be saved there with a timestamp.

Step 5: Use the Alt + Print Screen (Alt+PrtScn) key

The Alt + Print Screen (Alt+PrtScn) key combination captures an image of the active window only. Here’s how to use it:

1. Click on the window you want to capture.
2. Press Alt+PrtScn to capture the image of the window.
3. Open an image editing program (such as Paint) and press Ctrl+V to paste the screenshot into the program.
4. Click “Save” to save the screenshot.

Conclusion

Taking a screenshot on a Windows PC is easy, and there are several different methods you can use. Whether you want to capture your entire screen, a specific window, or just a portion of your screen, the built-in tools in Windows make it simple to do. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you’ll be taking screenshots like a pro in no time.