How to Screenshot on Your PC with Windows 10: A Comprehensive Guide

As computers have become more prevalent in our daily lives, so too has the need to take screenshots. Screenshots can be used for a variety of reasons, from capturing a funny meme to saving important information for work or school. In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through all the different ways you can take a screenshot on your PC with Windows 10.

Importance of Screenshots in Computing

The importance of screenshots in computing cannot be overstated. Screenshots allow us to capture and save important information quickly and easily. Whether you need to save a recipe from an online cooking website or capture a portion of a chat conversation for reference later, screenshots make it easy to do so. Screenshots are also useful for troubleshooting technical issues, as they can provide a visual representation of the problem at hand.

Overview of PC Screenshot Options

Before we dive into the specifics of how to take a screenshot on your PC with Windows 10, let’s take a quick look at the different options available to you:

• Using the Print Screen key
• Using the Snipping Tool
• Using the Windows + Shift + S shortcut
• Using third-party software

Each of these options has its own benefits and drawbacks, which we will explore in more detail below.

How to Take a Screenshot on Your PC with Windows 10

Using the Print Screen Key

The easiest way to take a screenshot of your entire screen on Windows 10 is by pressing the Print Screen (PrtScn) button on your keyboard. The screenshot will be copied to your clipboard. To save the file, paste the screenshot into any program that allows you to insert images, like Microsoft Word or Paint.

If you only want to capture the active window, press Alt + PrtScn. The screenshot will be copied to your clipboard, and you’ll need to paste it into another program to save it.

Using the Snipping Tool

The Snipping Tool is a built-in Windows 10 utility that allows you to take screenshots of specific areas of your screen. To use the Snipping Tool:

1. Open the Snipping Tool by searching for it in the Start menu.
2. Click New to start a new snip.
3. Select the area of your screen you want to capture.
4. Save the snip as an image file.

Using the Windows + Shift + S Shortcut

The Windows + Shift + S shortcut is another built-in Windows 10 feature that allows you to take a screenshot of a specific area of your screen. To use this shortcut:

1. Press Windows + Shift + S.
2. Your screen will go dim, and a mini menu will appear at the top of your screen.
3. Select the type of snip you want to take (rectangular, free-form, window, or full-screen).
4. Select the area of your screen you want to capture.
5. The screenshot will be saved to your clipboard.

Using Third-Party Software

If you’re unsatisfied with any of the built-in Windows methods, there are third-party screenshot tools worth considering, each with its own extra offerings. Our favorite screenshot app at PCMag is Snagit. Snagit has at least one major benefit over Windows’ built-in screenshot tools: You can snap away and all your shots remain in the utility’s repository, available at any time you might need them later.

How to Edit and Save Your Screenshot

Opening the Screenshot in Paint or Another Image Editor

To edit and save your screenshot, you’ll first need to open it in an image editor like Paint. To do so:

1. Open Paint by searching for it in the Start menu.
2. Click File > Open.
3. Select the screenshot you want to edit.

Cropping and Resizing the Screenshot

Once you have your screenshot open in Paint, you can crop and resize it as needed:

1. Click the Select tool.
2. Select the area of the screenshot you want to keep.
3. Click Crop.
4. Click Resize.
5. Enter the desired dimensions for your screenshot.
6. Click OK.

Saving the Screenshot in the Desired Format

After editing your screenshot, you’ll need to save it in the desired format:

1. Click File > Save As.
2. Choose your desired file format (such as JPEG, PNG, or BMP).
3. Select a location to save your screenshot.
4. Click Save.

Tips and Tricks for Taking Screenshots on Your PC

Customizing Keyboard Shortcuts

You can customize the keyboard shortcuts for taking screenshots on your Windows 10 PC by going to Settings > Ease of Access > Keyboard. Here, you can enable or disable certain screenshot shortcuts, as well as change the default shortcut keys.

Using Sticky Notes to Annotate Screenshots

If you want to add annotations to your screenshots, you can use the built-in Sticky Notes app in Windows 10. Simply open Sticky Notes, create a new note, and paste your screenshot into the note. You can then add text, drawings, or other annotations before saving the note as an image file.

Setting Up Automatic Screenshot Saving

To automatically save screenshots to a specific folder, you can follow these steps:

1. Press Windows + I to open the Settings app.
2. Click on System.
3. Click on Storage.
4. Under “Save locations,” click on the Change button next to “Screenshots.”
5. Select the folder where you want your screenshots to be saved.

Now, when you take a screenshot using the Windows + PrtScn shortcut, it will be automatically saved to the specified folder.

Conclusion

Taking screenshots on your PC with Windows 10 is easy and versatile, thanks to the multiple built-in methods and third-party tools available. Whether you need to capture your entire screen or just a specific portion, this comprehensive guide has covered all the best ways to take screenshots on your Windows 10 computer. With these tips and tricks in mind, you’ll be well-equipped to capture, edit, and save screenshots for any purpose. Happy screenshotting!