How to take screenshots in Windows 10

There are numerous reasons for you to capture some or the entire part of your screen. Maybe you wish to share something on social media or with a tech support agent or you may simply wish to save evidence of something objectionable or a copy of the form before submitting it.

The reasons are many!

And whatever may be the reason for you to take a screenshot in Windows 10, its inbuilt-features are indeed very helpful.

Here are different ways of how to take a screenshot in Windows 10.

1. PrtScn

To take a screenshot in Windows 10 with “PrtScn”, simply press the “Windows logo key + PrtScn.” The screen will flicker for a moment as if a camera shutter was opening and closing. The screenshot will automatically be labeled as a number in the Screenshot folder in the Pictures folder of your PC.

For Tablet, press the “Windows logo button + volume down button”. Even some PCs or laptops requires “Windows logo key + Ctrl + PrtScn” or “Windows logo key + Fn + PrtScn” keys. You need to check your device’s manual to know which buttons you need to press to capture a screenshot.

Using the PrtScn directly

When you press the “Prt Sc” key or “Alt + Fn + Prt Sc” a screenshot will be copied directly to the clipboard. Now you can utilize this image directly in other programs like Word or Image Editor. In order to paste this image simply choose Edit > Paste and paste the screenshot wherever you wish to. Depending upon the desktop resolution, the image dimensions of the image will be set.

2. Screenshot of one window

The only difference here is that just click on the title bar of the window that you wish to take a screenshot of and press the “PrtScn” or as mentioned in your manual.

3. Screenshot of Partial Screen

If you wish to take a partial screenshot in Windows 10, press “Windows + Shift + S”. This will change the color of your screen to grey and the cursor will change to select mode. Now, you can select the part of your screen you wish to capture. It will get copied to the clipboard and you can follow the above-mentioned process to paste the image that would otherwise be stored in the clipboard automatically.

4. Snipping Tool

The snipping tool is situated in Start > All Programs > Windows Accessories > Snipping Tool. It is a built-in tool for taking a screenshot in Windows 10. This feature is in existence since Windows Vista. Windows 10 has added the feature of “Delay” in it that can capture screenshots pop-up menus and tooltips. This “Delay” feature enables you to select from 1 to 5 seconds of delay time that you would like to have to open the pop-up menu or the tool-tip you would like to take the screenshot of. After the delay seconds, the screen will freeze and fade out so you can create your snip.

It also allows you to select the type of snip you would like from free-form, rectangular, window, and full-screen by clicking the arrow next to New.

This is a free form of the Snipping tool where shape you can select on your own.

5. Snip Editor

Microsoft Snip Editor offers better features than the Snipping Tool in my experience. It enables us to take screenshots of the entire screen, active window, or even a manually cropped rectangle and even allows us to delay the capturing process from 1 to 5 seconds so you can capture the images of disappearing menus and tooltips. Moreover, Snip Editor offers various ways to even gloss the screenshots like freehand – pen option (more like Windows Ink) and even voice recording.

6. Game Bar

Windows 10 offers a special feature to record gameplay footage and take screenshots of Windows PC games. Even before you start using the Game Bar, launch the Xbox app and open its settings. Under the menu “Game DVR” there will be the option of “Take screenshots using Game DVR”. Here you can even assign the keyboard shortcuts.

The screenshots that Game Bar generates are in PNG format and are by default saved in “C:\Users\[your username]\Videos\Captures.”

When you wish to capture just click “Windows key + G”. Then click on “yes this is a game” box if asked (This option will enable you to use the keyboard shortcuts). Finally, press the “Windows + Alt + Prt Sc” to capture the screen. The notification informing “screenshot saved” will be displayed.

7. Windows Ink Workspace

Microsoft’s Windows Ink not only enables us to take a screenshot but also allows us to share them that too without the need for establishing another app. Simply, open the Page or a file or screen that you need to capture. Now click on the Windows Ink icon on the taskbar of your PC. It should look like a pen. If not, then check if it is enabled by right-clicking on the taskbar and then clicking “Show Windows Ink Workspace Button”.

In the Windows Ink Workspace select the “Screen Sketch”. It will then click a screenshot of the screen that is open and then open an editing window. Screen Sketch interface allows you to crop, scribble on, or make minor edits if required and then you can save or share it directly from your PC. 

We have seen various ways to take screenshots in Windows 10. If your need is simple, you can use any one of these built-in tools and features. But for complex needs, you need to install the third-party solutions.

The various third-party solutions that can offer free-form captures, effects, annotations, and other effective features are Greenshot, Monosnap, or PicPick just a few of them while Awesome Screenshot or Nimbus are browser-based solutions.

Final Words

I hope these simple tricks help you to take a screenshot in Windows 10 easily. If you have any queries, please drop a comment below this article.