How to Screenshot on Windows 7, 8, 10, and 11 - New Methods 2024

How to Screenshot on Windows

Taking screenshots on a Windows computer can be crucial for various purposes, including creating tutorials, documenting software issues, or capturing important information. Whether you're using Windows 7, 8, 10, or the latest Windows 11, there are several methods to capture your screen. This blog will cover the keyboard shortcut method, using Paint, the Snipping Tool, and Snagit, to help you find the method that best suits your needs.

1. Keyboard Shortcut Method

Windows 7 and 8:

• Print Screen (PrtScn): Pressing the PrtScn key captures the entire screen and copies it to the clipboard. You need to paste it into an image editor like Paint to save it.
• Alt + Print Screen: This combination captures the active window only, again copying it to the clipboard for pasting into an image editor.

Windows 10 and 11:

• PrtScn: Similar to older versions, this key captures the whole screen. However, in Windows 10 and 11, pressing PrtScn saves the screenshot directly to the Screenshots folder in the Pictures library.
• Windows + PrtScn: This combination captures the entire screen and automatically saves it in the Screenshots folder.
• Alt + PrtScn: Captures only the active window, saving it to the clipboard for pasting into an image editor.
• Windows + Shift + S: Opens the Snip & Sketch tool, allowing you to select a portion of the screen to capture. The screenshot is copied to the clipboard.

2. Using Paint

For all Windows versions, you can use Paint to save screenshots taken with the PrtScn or Alt + PrtScn keys.

1. Press PrtScn or Alt + PrtScn.
2. Open Paint by typing "Paint" in the Start menu search bar and selecting it.
3. Press Ctrl + V to paste the screenshot into Paint.
4. Click on "File" > "Save As" to save the screenshot in your desired format (JPEG, PNG, etc.).

3. Using the Snipping Tool

The Snipping Tool is available in Windows 7, 8, and 10. Windows 11 has replaced it with the Snip & Sketch tool.

For Windows 8,10 and 11:

1. Open the Snipping Tool by typing "Snipping Tool" in the Start menu search bar and selecting it.
2. Click on "New" to start a new snip.
3. Select the snip type (Free-form, Rectangular, Window, or Full-screen) from the "Mode" dropdown.
4. Capture the desired area.
5. Save the screenshot by clicking "File" > "Save As."

For Windows 11 (Snip & Sketch):

1. Open Snip & Sketch by pressing Windows + Shift + S.
2. Select the snip type from the toolbar that appears.
3. Capture the desired area.
4. The screenshot is copied to the clipboard, and a notification appears. Click on it to edit and save.

4. Using Snagit

Snagit is a powerful third-party tool for capturing and editing screenshots. It's suitable for users who need advanced features and frequent screenshots.

1. Download and install Snagit from the official website.
2. Open Snagit and click on the red capture button.
3. Select the area you want to capture (Full-screen, Window, Region, etc.).
4. After capturing, Snagit opens the screenshot in the editor where you can annotate, resize, and apply effects.
5. Save the screenshot by clicking "File" > "Save As."

Conclusion

Taking screenshots on Windows is straightforward, with various methods available to suit different needs. Whether you prefer using keyboard shortcuts for quick captures, the Snipping Tool for flexibility, or Snagit for advanced features, this guide has covered all the essential techniques for Windows 7, 8, 10, and 11.

By following these steps, you can efficiently capture and save screenshots, enhancing your productivity and making it easier to share information. Remember to choose the method that best fits your requirements and practice it a few times to become proficient. Happy screenshotting!