At least once, you must have been in a situation that you need to screenshot your screen. Whether to save something, to edit the image, or to communicate with any type of support and describe the issue better. Whatever the reason is, it’s important to know that there are several ways to take a screenshot on Windows 10. The method you’ll choose mostly depends on the reason you need to take a screenshot in the first place.

For example, if you need to edit something, the best way is to use Paint. If you want to save a file, you can make a screenshot directly to OneDrive.

In this article, we will go together through several useful methods to take a screenshot on your Windows 10, and you can decide what’s the most suitable for you.

Windows methods to take a screenshot

Here, we will go through the most basic ways of taking a screenshot of your Desktop. Windows gives you six ways to do so using your keyboard. The method will mostly depend on the device you’re using and whether it’s a laptop or a PC.

1. For the start, find on your keyboard button “Print Screen” – “PrtSc” or “PrtScn.” Using this button, you’ll be able to capture a screenshot of your entire desktop, all the displays you have opened. It’s important to note that your screenshot will not be immediately saved, but it will be sent to the clipboard. From there, you can further rotate and crop the image and save the final result.

2. Another method to capture your screen is to use “Alt” + “PrtScn”. This way you’ll capture only a part of your desktop, meaning only one file, browser picture, etc. Make sure to first highlight the window you want to capture and then press these two buttons simultaneously. Again, the picture will not be automatically saved, it’ll show in your clipboard where you can save it or edit it if needed.
3. If you want to capture the entire screen and save it without editing, you can use “Win” + “PrtScn”. Here, “Win” stands for the “Windows” button that most likely looks like the Windows logo on your keyboard and is placed on the left side from the “Space” button.

Your picture will be automatically saved to C:Users<user name>Pictures>Screenshots.

4. “Win” + “Shift” + “S” is yet another useful way to take a screenshot of your display. These commands will redirect you to the built-in Windows tool Snip & Sketch. You will see a small bar giving you 4 options – Rectangular Snip, Freeform Snip, Window Snip, and a Fullscreen Snip. The picture will be saved in the clipboard where you can crop, edit, and save it.

5. If you want to take a screenshot from the Xbox Game Bar, press “Win” + “G”. Click the capture button and press the camera icon. Your picture will be automatically saved to C:Users<user name>Videos>Captures.
6. If you want to capture an active Windows display, you can use “Win” + “Alt” + “PrtScn”. The picture will be automatically saved to C:Users<user name>Videos>Captures.

In case you are using OneDrive, you can save all of your screenshots to a cloud. That way, you’ll be sure you won’t lose them and will have the access to pictures any time from any device. For the screenshots to be saved to your cloud, follow these steps.

1. Log in to the “OneDrive” app
2. Click on the “Cloud” icon
3. Select “Help & Settings”
4. Click “Settings” > “Backup”
5. Check the box related to Screenshots

6. Press “OK”

Now, all of your screenshots will be saved to a cloud instead of disk C.

Using Paint for screenshots

As mentioned, after capturing your display, you can edit a picture, crop it, rotate it, anything you need before the final saving. If your picture is in the clipboard, you can press “Edit” and choose to edit it via Paint, Paint 3D, or Photos. Another way is to copy the picture from the clipboard and paste it into the Paint app. If the picture has been automatically saved, you can go right-click on the picture, click “Open with” and choose Paint.

Saving the screenshot after editing

Now when your picture is edited, it’s ready to be saved. Click on “File” > “Save As”. You’ll be able to choose the type of the file – PNG, JPEG, GIF, BMP. Now choose where would you like to save the picture and under which name. If you do not want a file to be saved in the default location, you can choose a specific place, such as any folder or Desktop. When you’re all set, press on “Save”.

Using Snipping Tool for taking a screenshot on the Windows 10

An alternative tool to Windows options for taking a screenshot is a Snipping Tool. It’s a preinstalled tool every device using Windows 10 has. It’s simple to use and you can edit your photos before saving them.

Go to the search bar next to the “Start” button and type “Snipping Tool”. Click twice on the tool to open it. This tool is a good option to use when you need to screenshot a part of your screen only.

Once you open a Snipping tool, you’ll be able to see the “Mode” option on the top left corner. You will see a small bar giving you 4 options – Rectangular Snip, Free-form Snip, Window Snip, and a Full-screen Snip. Choose the mode that suits you the most. If you’re using the Rectangular Snip and the Free-form Snip, the screen will turn white. Once you choose the area you want to screenshot, this area of the screen will become visible, so you’ll be able to tell where exactly are the edges of your picture. If you’re using Window Snip, all the other windows will turn white except the one you are screenshotting.

Once you take a screenshot, you’ll have an option to edit your picture using Paint 3D. If you do not have anything to edit, you can click on “File” in the top right corner. You will see “Save as”. Name your picture and choose the destination to save it.

That’s it, your picture has been saved!

How to take a screenshot on Windows 10 using Google Chrome?

Here’s another thing you can try. If the picture you want to save is from your browser, you can try to take a screenshot directly in Google Chrome. Here is how.

1. Open Google Chrome
2. Press “Ctrl” + “Shift” + “I” if you’re using a PC. For Mac devices press “Command” + “Option” + “I”
3. Press “Ctrl” + “Shift P” for PC or “Command” + “Shift P” for Mac

4. Type “screenshot” – the list of 4 screenshot types will appear
5. Choose between – Capture area screenshot, Capture full-size screenshot, Capture node screenshot, or Capture screenshot*

6. Using the arrow on your keyboard scroll down, choose one type, and press enter
7. Your screenshot will be taken and automatically saved.
8. Look for the screenshot in Google Chrome’s download manager.

Once you do a screenshot through Google Chrome directly, you will not be able to see the borders of the browser, only the content itself.

*Capture area screenshot – Let you select a specific part of the screen and save it as a screenshot. If you choose this option, you’ll be able to drag a mouse to any area of your screen and choose what to screenshot.

*Capture full-size screenshot – by choosing this option, you’ll save an entire browser page from the top to bottom.

*Capture node screenshot – It lets you capture an image or a specific HTML element.

*Capture screenshot – saves an image of everything currently visible on your screen.

Now, after you know how to take a screenshot, you can easily use other alternative tools such as Snip & Sketch or Lightshot. It’s a third-party app allowing you to take a screenshot of your screen on any device – Windows or Mac. https://app.prntscr.com/en/index.html

If you have any other ideas on how to take a screenshot of your screen on Windows 10 easily, let us know in the comment below.

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• Bio

Cleo Hall

Cleo Hall is a tech writer for Trendblog.net, sharing informative articles on the latest tech trends and advancements. With a passion for technology, he aims to educate and inspire others.