Capturing your screen, often known as taking a screenshot or screen capture, is a fundamental skill for any Windows 10 user. Whether you need to share information, create tutorials, or simply save what’s on your screen, Windows 10 offers several easy ways to print screen. Once you capture a screenshot, it’s automatically copied to your clipboard, ready to be pasted into various applications. Let’s explore how you can effectively use the Print Screen key and its combinations in Windows 10 to capture your entire screen, active windows, or a specific window.
Understanding the Print Screen Key
The Print Screen key, often abbreviated as PrtScr or similar variations on your keyboard, is your gateway to taking screenshots in Windows. This key, when used alone or in combination with other keys, allows you to capture a snapshot of your display.
Locating the Print Screen Key
On a standard desktop keyboard, the Print Screen key is typically found in the upper right section, often near the F12 key and the Scroll Lock key. You might see it labeled as Print Screen, PrtScn, PrntScr, PrtScn, PrtScr, PrtSc, or a similar short form. For simplicity, we’ll refer to it as PrtScr throughout this guide.
It’s worth noting that some compact keyboards, like the Dell Wireless Keyboard and Mouse combo (model KM3322W), might not have a dedicated Print Screen button. In such cases, you can usually activate the print screen function by pressing the Fn (Function) key and the Insert key together.
Laptop keyboards usually place the Print Screen key within the Function key row (F1 to F12). To use it, you’ll often need to press the Fn key in conjunction with the appropriate Function key, commonly F10.
For laptops with capacitive or illuminated Function Key rows, you might need to press the Fn key first to switch the function keys to their standard functions, revealing the Print Screen option. Refer to your laptop’s user manual for precise instructions if needed. Some laptop models might also require the Fn + Insert key combination if a dedicated Print Screen key is not available.
Print screen key location on a Dell KM5221W wireless keyboard
Print screen key location on a Dell KM5221W wireless keyboard
Different Ways to Print Screen in Windows 10
Windows 10 offers flexibility in how you capture your screen, allowing you to grab the entire display, all active windows, or just the window you’re currently working in.
Capture the Entire Screen
To capture everything visible on your screen, simply press the PrtScr key. This will copy a screenshot of your entire display to the clipboard.
Alternatively, for users on tablets or for a quick save option, pressing the Windows logo key + PrtScr keys simultaneously will not only capture the entire screen but also automatically save the screenshot as a PNG file in the “Screenshots” folder within your Pictures library. On tablets, you can achieve the same result by pressing the Windows logo button + volume down button.
Capture All Active Windows
If you have multiple windows open and want to capture all of them as they appear on your screen, just press the PrtScr key. This method captures all currently active windows and places the combined screenshot on your clipboard.
Capture a Single Active Window
To capture only the specific window you are currently working in, first, ensure that window is active by clicking on it. Then, press the Alt + PrtScr keys together. This will capture only the active window and copy it to your clipboard, excluding any other open windows or the taskbar.
Pasting and Using Your Screenshot
Once you have captured your desired screenshot using any of the methods above, the next step is to use it. The screenshot is temporarily stored on your clipboard. To save or edit it, you need to paste it into an application.
For basic use, you can open image editing software like Microsoft Paint, Paint 3D, or even document applications like Microsoft Word. In the application, use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + V to paste the screenshot into a new document or image canvas. From there, you can edit, annotate, save, or share your screenshot as needed.
For more advanced screen capturing and editing options, Windows 10 also includes the Snipping Tool and the newer Snip & Sketch tool. These tools offer more features like capturing specific regions of the screen, delayed screenshots, and basic annotation tools. Explore these for more complex screenshot tasks.
Use Snipping Tool to capture screenshots in Windows
By mastering these simple Print Screen techniques in Windows 10, you can efficiently capture and share information visually, enhancing your productivity and communication.
