Capturing what’s on your computer screen, known as taking a screenshot or screen capture, is a fundamental skill for anyone using Windows. Whether you need to share information, document steps, or simply save something you see online, knowing How To Print A Screen – or rather, digitally capture it – is essential. In Windows, the Print Screen key is your gateway to quickly grabbing a visual copy of your display. Once captured, this image is automatically saved to your clipboard, ready to be used.
Windows provides several ways to utilize the Print Screen key, alone or in combination with other keys, to capture different portions of your screen:
- The entire screen: Capture everything visible on your monitor.
- All active windows: Capture all open windows as a single image.
- The current active window: Capture only the window you are currently working in.
After capturing your screenshot, you can paste it directly into various applications like documents, emails, or image editing software such as Paint. Alternatively, you can insert the screenshot as an image file into these platforms.
Finding the Print Screen Key on Your Keyboard
The location of the Print Screen key can vary slightly depending on your keyboard type, whether you’re using a desktop or a laptop.
On desktop keyboards, the Print Screen key is usually located in the upper right section, often near the function keys and above the number pad. You might see it labeled as Print Screen, PrntScrn, PrtScn, PrtScr, or similar abbreviations. For simplicity, we’ll use PrtScr throughout this guide to refer to all these variations.
It’s worth noting that some specialized keyboards might have different configurations. For instance, the Dell Wireless Keyboard and Mouse combo, model KM3322W, requires you to press the Fn key and the Insert key simultaneously to perform a screen capture, as it lacks a dedicated Print Screen button.
Figure 1: Illustration of the print screen key on a Dell KM5221W wireless keyboard
Print Screen Key Location on Dell KM5221W Wireless Keyboard
On laptop keyboards, the Print Screen key is commonly found within the Function Key row (F1, F2, F3, etc.). To activate the Print Screen function, you will typically need to press the Fn (Function) key in conjunction with the associated Function key, which is often F10. Look for the PrtScr label on one of your Function keys.
Some modern laptops feature capacitive (illuminated) Function Key rows. On these keyboards, you might need to press the Fn key first to toggle the function keys to their secondary functions, which include Print Screen. Once the PrtScr function is illuminated or active, you can then use it with the methods described below. Consult your laptop’s user manual for specific instructions if you are unsure.
Figure 2: Illustration of the print screen key on a Dell Precision 5550 mobile workstation keyboard
Print Screen Key Location on Dell KM5221W Wireless Keyboard
Figure 3: Illustration of a laptop with a capacitive Function Key row
The exact steps for using the Print Screen function can differ slightly between Windows 10 and Windows 11, as outlined below.
Using the Print Screen Key in Windows 10 and Windows 11
Windows offers several shortcuts using the Print Screen key to capture your screen in different ways:
Capturing the Entire Screen
To take a screenshot of your entire display in both Windows 10 and Windows 11, press the Windows logo key + PrtScr key simultaneously. If you are using a Windows tablet, you can achieve the same result by pressing the Windows logo button and the volume down button at the same time.
When you use this method, your screen might briefly dim to indicate that a screenshot has been taken. The captured image is automatically saved as a file in the Screenshots folder within your Pictures library. This is a convenient way to quickly save full-screen captures without needing to paste them into another application immediately.
Capturing All Active Windows
If you want to capture all currently open and active windows as a single screenshot, simply press the PrtScr key by itself. This will capture a snapshot of your entire desktop, including all open windows, and copy it to your clipboard. You won’t see a visual confirmation on screen, but the screenshot is ready to be pasted.
Capturing a Single Active Window
To capture only the specific window you are currently working in and bring it to the foreground, first, ensure that the window you want to capture is active by clicking on it. Then, press the Alt + PrtScr keys together. This command will capture only the active window and copy it to your clipboard, excluding any other open windows or the taskbar.
Pasting and Utilizing Your Screenshots
Once you’ve captured your screen using any of the Print Screen methods described above, the screenshot is temporarily stored on your clipboard. To use or edit this captured image, you need to paste it into an application.
For basic editing and saving, Microsoft Paint is a readily available option in Windows. For more advanced editing, you can use software like Adobe Photoshop or free alternatives like GIMP.
To paste your screenshot, open your chosen application and press the Ctrl + V keys together. This keyboard shortcut will paste the image from your clipboard into a new document within the application. From there, you can edit, annotate, save, or share your screenshot as needed.
Beyond the Print Screen Key: Exploring Other Screenshot Tools
While the Print Screen key is a quick and easy method for basic screen captures, Windows also offers more sophisticated tools for advanced screenshot needs.
The Snipping Tool, a built-in Windows utility, provides more flexibility in capturing screenshots. You can use it to capture specific rectangular areas, free-form selections, individual windows, or the entire screen. It also offers basic annotation features before you save or share your capture. You can find the Snipping Tool in your Windows Start Menu. For a comprehensive guide on using the Snipping Tool, refer to Microsoft’s official documentation.
For even more modern and feature-rich screen capturing, Windows 10 and 11 include Snip & Sketch. You can quickly access Snip & Sketch by pressing Windows Key + Shift + S. This opens a toolbar at the top of your screen, allowing you to choose different snip types (Rectangular Snip, Freeform Snip, Window Snip, Fullscreen Snip). After capturing, Snip & Sketch provides a more robust annotation interface and easier sharing options compared to the Snipping Tool.
Mastering how to print a screen in Windows, along with exploring tools like Snipping Tool and Snip & Sketch, will significantly enhance your ability to communicate visually and efficiently use your computer.
