Capturing and saving what’s displayed on your computer screen can be a valuable tool for various purposes. Whether you’re sharing an error message with tech support or saving a memorable moment from a video, knowing how to print screen or copy window contents on Windows 10/11 can come in handy. In this article, we will explore the simple yet powerful methods to effortlessly capture your screen on these operating systems.
Capture screenshots with the Snipping Tool and PRINT SCREEN key
Capture screenshots on Windows 10/11 using the Snipping Tool or PRINT SCREEN key.
To use the Snipping Tool, follow these steps:
1. Open the Snipping Tool by typing “Snipping Tool” in the search box and selecting it from the results.
2. Click on “New” to start the snipping process.
3. Select the area you want to capture by clicking and dragging the cursor.
4. Release the mouse button to capture the selected area.
5. Save the screenshot by clicking on the “File” menu and selecting “Save As”.
Alternatively, you can use the PRINT SCREEN key:
1. Press the PRINT SCREEN key on your keyboard.
2. Open an image editing program, such as Paint.
3. Press “Ctrl” + “V” to paste the screenshot into the program.
4. Save the screenshot by clicking on the “File” menu and selecting “Save As”.
Remember that the PRINT SCREEN key may have different labels on different keyboards, such as “PrtScn” or “PrtSc”.
These methods work on both Windows 10 and Windows 11, whether you’re using a desktop, laptop, or a Mac with a Windows partition.
Selectively copy the active window or the entire screen
To copy the contents of your active window or the entire screen on Windows 10/11, follow these steps:
1. Press the Print Screen key on your keyboard. It may be labeled as PrtScn or PrntScrn. This will capture the entire screen.
2. If you only want to copy the active window, press Alt + Print Screen instead. This will capture only the selected window.
3. Open an image editing program such as Paint, Photoshop, or Microsoft Word.
4. Press Ctrl + V to paste the screenshot into the program.
5. Edit or save the screenshot as desired.
Note: On laptops or keyboards with a German layout, you may need to press Fn + Print Screen or Fn + Alt + Print Screen to capture the screen or active window.
These instructions apply to most Windows computers, including Lenovo ThinkPad, HP EliteBook, and desktop PCs. Mac users can use the Command + Shift + 3 shortcut to capture the entire screen or Command + Shift + 4 to capture a selected area.
Edit and modify captured images
To edit and modify captured images on Windows 10/11, follow these steps:
1. Press the “Print Screen” key on your keyboard to capture the entire screen or use the “Alt + Print Screen” shortcut to capture the active window.
2. Open the Paint application by typing “Paint” in the search bar and selecting it from the results.
3. Click on the “Paste” button in the top-left corner of the Paint window or press “Ctrl + V” to paste the captured image.
4. Use the various editing tools in Paint to modify the image to your liking. You can crop, resize, draw, add text, or apply different effects.
5. Once you’re done editing, click on “File” and select “Save” to save the modified image to your computer.
6. Choose a location and enter a name for the image, then click “Save” again.
7. Your edited image is now ready to be used or shared.
Remember, these steps may vary slightly depending on your specific laptop, keyboard layout, or language settings.
Access additional help and options
- Explore built-in options: Discover the various built-in features in Windows 10/11 that allow you to capture and copy window or screen contents.
- Utilize the Snipping Tool: Access the Snipping Tool application to take customized screenshots and copy specific areas of your screen or windows.
- Try the Print Screen key: Utilize the Print Screen (PrtScn) key on your keyboard to capture the entire screen and copy it to your clipboard.
- Use the Windows Key + Shift + S shortcut: Employ this shortcut to open the Snip & Sketch tool and capture a specific area of your screen.
- Take advantage of the Windows Game Bar: If you’re a gamer, use the built-in Windows Game Bar to capture and copy screenshots while playing games.
- Use the Snip & Sketch app: If you prefer a more robust snipping tool, open the Snip & Sketch app to capture, annotate, and share screenshots effortlessly.
- Explore third-party tools: If the built-in options don’t meet your needs, consider exploring third-party applications that provide additional functionalities for capturing and copying window or screen contents.
