Taking pictures is a basic Windows function that many people use often. Whether you want to remember an important moment, keep the information, or share something with others, taking pictures quickly can save you time. We’ll look at how to take screenshots on Windows 10 and Windows 11 in this post.
Table of Contents
What Are the Various Methods Available to Take a Screenshot?
Windows comes with a number of tools and buttons for taking pictures, and you can also get apps and add-ons from other places. Let’s look at some of the most common ways to do it:
Method 1: Using the Print Screen (PrtScn) Key
In Windows 10 and Windows 11, one of the fastest ways to take a screenshot is to press the Print Screen key. “PrtScn” or “Print Screen” is usually written on this key. When you click it, it copies the whole screen to the clipboard. The picture can then be saved with Microsoft Paint, Word, Photoshop, or any other tool that makes images.
Method 2: Capturing the Active Window with Alt + Print Screen
You might not always want to grab the whole screen, but just the window you’re working in at the moment. To do this, press “Alt” and “Print Screen” at the same time. The open window will be copied to the clipboard when you do this. It can be copied and saved, just like the full-screen picture.
Method 3: Snipping Tool
The Windows Snipping Tool lets you take a picture of a specific part of the screen. Just type “Snipping Tool” into the Windows search box and open the program to find it. Click “New” and use your mouse to make a circle around the place you want to save. When you’re done, click “Save” to keep the picture.
Method 4: Snip & Sketch
Microsoft added the Snip & Sketch tool to Windows 10 to improve how pictures work. This tool can be opened by pressing “Windows key + Shift + S.” It lets you take different kinds of screenshots, like full-screen, rectangular, free-form, and even pictures that are a little late. The picture you just took will appear on the screen, and you can either add notes to it or save it right away.
Method 5: Windows Key + Print Screen
It’s easy to take a picture of the whole screen in Windows 10 and Windows 11 and save it right away in the “Screenshots” area. When you press “Windows key + PrtScn,” your screen will quickly go black to show that a screenshot has been taken. The photo will be saved right away in the “Pictures” folder, under “Screenshots.”
Method 6: Using the Game Bar
The main point of the Game Bar in Windows 10 and Windows 11 is to let players record their games, but it can also be used to take pictures. Press “Windows key + G” to open the Game Bar, then click the camera button to take a picture. The picture will be saved in the “Videos” folder of “This PC” in the “Captures” folder.
Method 7: Snipping via Touch or Pen
Touching the screen of a digital pen or other devices with a touch screen lets you take a picture. When you press the “Windows logo” button and the “Volume Down” button at the same time, the screen quickly goes dark to show that the picture worked. It is in the folder called “Screenshots” under “Pictures.”
Method 8: Using Third-Party Software
You can take shots with Windows 10 and Windows 11, but you can also use third-party apps. ShareX, Greenshot, Lightshot, and Snagit are all well-known tools that can do different things.
Method 9: Using the Snipping Tool++
Windows’s Snipping Tool is good, but Snipping Tool++ is better because it gives you more options and ways to change it. You can get it from reliable places, install it on your computer, and then use extra features like timed screenshots and different editing tools.
Conclusion
Taking screenshots on Windows 10 and Windows 11 is easy in these different ways. You now know how to take pictures quickly and easily, whether you want to use the simple built-in options or more advanced third-party software. So, the next time you want to remember something important or share an interesting moment, pick the way that works best for you and start snapping.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I use these methods with older versions of Windows?
Some of the ways in this article might work on older versions of Windows, but Snip & Sketch and the Windows key + PrtScn keyboard trick are only available on Windows 10 and Windows 11.
2. Will taking pictures of my computer to slow it down?
No, using built-in tools or well-known apps from outside of your computer to take shots shouldn’t slow it down much.
3. Can I change the pictures I’ve taken already?
Yes, you can change photos after you take them by using Microsoft Paint, Adobe Photoshop, or other editing tools that come with third-party software.
4. How do I change the default place where pictures are saved?
In Windows 10 and 11, you can change where pictures are saved by going to “Settings” > “Storage” > “Change where new content is saved” and then choosing a new folder.
5. Is downloading the Snipping Tool++ safe?
Yes, it is safe to download Snipping Tool++ from places you know and trust most of the time. But be careful when you download software, and only get it from places that you know you can trust.
