Taking a screenshot is one thing many people do each single day, and it’s helpful in a wide range of conditions.
Wish to maintain one thing essential for future reference, share it with a pal or get distant tech assist? A screenshot is the best approach.
Microsoft makes it simple to take and retailer them in Home windows, whether or not you’re utilizing a Home windows 10 or Home windows 11 machine.
However with so many various strategies to select from, how do you determine which is best for you? This text runs via all seven which might be constructed into Home windows, plus the choice to go by way of third-party software program.
The right way to take a screenshot on Home windows
Home windows 11 contains numerous adjustments in comparison with Home windows 10, however the methods you are taking a screenshot stay the identical. There are many them, too:
Print Display screen
That is the obvious technique to take a screenshot, but additionally one of many much less handy.
To seize all of the screens you’re engaged on, merely hit the Print Display screen key (usually abbreviated to ‘Prt Scr’) in your keyboard. It’ll both be one of many F keys or situated subsequent to it, though you’ll want to carry down the Fn key on the identical time on some newer units.
Nevertheless, the screenshot you are taking right here isn’t saved to File Explorer, however merely saved in your keyboard.
If Clipboard historical past is enabled (go to Settings > System > Clipboard to test), hit the Home windows key + V to view all latest screenshots and copied textual content and paste them wherever you’d like. But when this setting is off, Ctrl + V will solely paste the newest one.

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Alt + Print Display screen
This resolution works identical to the above button, however urgent Alt and Print Display screen keys on the identical time saves solely the energetic window.
When you’ve got numerous apps open or are related to an exterior monitor, you received’t see them. In contrast to a daily screenshot, the taskbar additionally received’t be seen.
Home windows + Print Display screen
After utilizing the Home windows Key + Print Display screen shortcut, the display ought to go darkish for a quick second. Your whole workspace will now be captured and saved inside the Screenshots folder.
To search out it, head to File Explorer > Photos > Screenshots. By default, the naming format ‘Screenshot (X)’ is used.

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Home windows + Shift + S
If you wish to solely screenshot a particular a part of your show, the Home windows + Shift + S shortcut is the best choice.

Anyron Copeman / Foundry
Hitting these three keys will convey up a easy menu, permitting you to decide on between rectangular, freeform, window and full-screen snips. The screenshot can be added to the clipboard and the Snipping Device will seem, permitting you to make any edits and put it aside your machine.
Snipping Device
Nevertheless, you’ll be able to nonetheless go by way of Snipping Device to seize screenshots. Search and open it such as you would any app, then click on the ‘New’ button within the top-left nook. The identical choices that you just see above will now be obtainable.
However the Snipping Device may also be used to seize video, plus add a delay of three to 10 seconds earlier than the screenshot is taken.

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Energy + Quantity Up
When you’ve got a pill operating Home windows 11 or 10, screenshots are taken in the same technique to iOS and Android units.
Nevertheless, as a substitute of urgent the facility and quantity down buttons on the identical time, Home windows requires you to make use of energy and quantity up as a substitute. Your seize will then be saved within the Screenshots folder of the File Explorer, the place you’ll be able to crop and edit it like common.
Xbox Recreation Bar
Because the title suggests, the Xbox Recreation Bar is designed for players to seize screenshots and movies whereas they’re taking part in. But it surely may also be used for normal screenshots, albeit solely the whole show to the clipboard.
Open the Recreation Bar by way of the Home windows + G shortcut, then click on the Seize button (seems like a circle inside a TV) if it’s not already. Click on the digicam icon from the menu that seems, then it’s best to see a message saying ‘Screenshot saved’.

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Click on that message, then you definitely’ll be taken to a separate Gallery for sharing choices. Making a meme or posting on Twitter are each prominently featured.
The right way to take a Home windows screenshot utilizing third-party software program
The final resolution is to make use of one of many quite a few third-party purposes for creating screenshots. These could be devoted purposes similar to Screenshot Captor or SnapDraw, or browser extensions similar to Fireshot and Nimbus.
Our favorite is Snagit, which additionally presents intensive instruments for marking up and annotating screenshots. The 2023 model is free for 15 days, after which it’s a one-off payment of $62.99/£62.14.

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However there are lots of choices on the market – it’s value making an attempt a number of and seeing what works finest for you.