How to Take a Screenshot on Windows 10: A Comprehensive Guide

Introduction

If you’re a Windows user, you’ve likely encountered a situation where you need to take a screenshot. However, not knowing how to take one can be frustrating and time-consuming. In this guide, we will cover various methods you can use to capture screenshots on your Windows 10 computer.

Method 1: Step-by-Step Guide – How to Take a Screenshot on Windows 10

The simplest way to take a screenshot on Windows 10 is by using the keyboard shortcut Windows key + Print Screen key (Win + PrtScn).

1. Press the Windows key and the PrtScn key simultaneously.
2. An image of your current screen will be taken and saved to your default “Screenshots” folder in the Pictures library.

If you only want to take a screenshot of one window you have open:

1. Click on the window you want to capture.
2. Press and hold the Alt key and then press the PrtScn key.
3. An image of only that window will be taken and saved to your default “Screenshots” folder.

Lastly, if you want to take a screenshot of a specific portion of your screen:

1. Press the Windows key + Shift + S.
2. Your screen will dim and a toolbar will appear at the top of your screen.
3. Select the portion of your screen you want to capture.
4. The image will be copied to your clipboard and can be pasted into an image editing program of your choice.

Method 2: Top 3 Methods for Taking Screenshots on Windows 10

If you don’t want to use the above keyboard shortcuts, there are several other ways to take screenshots on Windows 10:

1. Snipping Tool

The Snipping Tool is a built-in screenshot tool on Windows 10. Here’s how to use it:

1. Open the Snipping Tool program by searching for it in the Windows search box.
2. Click on New or hit the Ctrl + N keyboard shortcut.
3. Select the portion of your screen you want to capture.
4. Edit, save, or share your image as needed.

2. Snip & Sketch

The Snip & Sketch app is another built-in screenshot tool on Windows 10. Here’s how to use it:

1. Open the Snip & Sketch app by searching for it in the Windows search box.
2. Click on New or hit the Windows key + Shift + S keyboard shortcut.
3. Select the portion of your screen you want to capture.
4. Edit, save, or share your image as needed.

3. Print Screen key (PrtScn)

The Print Screen key (PrtScn) can also be used to take screenshots on Windows 10. This method is similar to the Windows + PrtScn shortcut, but instead only copies the screenshot to your clipboard:

1. Press the PrtScn key.
2. Open an image editing program of your choice.
3. Paste the screenshot into the program by either hitting Ctrl + V or right-clicking and selecting Paste.
4. Save, edit, or share your image as needed.

Method 3: The Quick Guide to Screenshots – Windows 10 Edition

If you prefer a shorter, summarized method, here’s a quick overview of the screenshot methods discussed:

1. Windows key + PrtScn: Capture and save a screenshot of your entire screen to the “Screenshots” folder in your Pictures library.
2. Alt + PrtScn: Capture and save a screenshot of only the active window to the “Screenshots” folder in your Pictures library.
3. Windows key + Shift + S: Capture a specific portion of your screen and copy it to your clipboard.

Method 4: Mastering Screenshots – Tips and Tricks for Windows 10

If you’re an experienced Windows 10 user, here are some tips and tricks to help you take better screenshots:

1. Change the Default Screenshot Folder

If you frequently take screenshots, you may want to change the default save location. Here’s how:

1. Open the File Explorer.
2. Right-click on the Screenshots folder in the Pictures library.
3. Select Properties.
4. Click on the Location tab.
5. Select Move.
6. Choose the new location where you want your screenshots to be saved.

2. Use Snipping Tool in Delay Mode

If you need to capture a screenshot of a dropdown menu or tooltip, you may find that it disappears before you can take a screenshot. To solve this problem, you can use Snipping Tool in Delay Mode:

1. Open the Snipping Tool.
2. Click on the Delay option.
3. Choose a delay time of 1-5 seconds.
4. Click on New.
5. Open the dropdown menu, tooltip, or other item you want to capture.
6. The Snipping Tool will capture the item after the delay time has passed.

3. Use the Game Bar

If you’re a gamer, you can use the Game bar to take screenshots of your gameplay:

1. Press the Windows key + G to open the Game bar.
2. Click on the Camera icon to take a screenshot.
3. Edit, save, or share your image as needed.

Method 5: Screenshots for Beginners – Windows 10 Tutorial

If you’re new to Windows 10 and need help with the basics, here’s a comprehensive tutorial for taking screenshots:

1. Windows key + PrtScn

1. Press the Windows key + PrtScn.
2. A screenshot of your entire screen will be saved to the “Screenshots” folder in your Pictures library.

2. Alt + PrtScn

1. Click on the window you want to capture.
2. Press and hold the Alt key and then press the PrtScn key.
3. A screenshot of only that window will be saved to the “Screenshots” folder in your Pictures library.

3. Windows key + Shift + S

1. Press the Windows key + Shift + S.
2. Select the portion of your screen you want to capture.
3. The image will be copied to your clipboard and can be pasted into an image editing program of your choice.

Method 6: Customizing your Screenshots – A Guide to Windows 10 Screenshot Settings

If you want to customize your screenshot settings in Windows 10, here’s how:

1. Change the Default Screenshot Folder

If you frequently take screenshots, you may want to change the default save location. Here’s how:

1. Open the File Explorer.
2. Right-click on the Screenshots folder in the Pictures library.
3. Select Properties.
4. Click on the Location tab.
5. Select Move.
6. Choose the new location where you want your screenshots to be saved.

2. Choose a Different File Type

If you prefer a different file type for your screenshots, you can change this in Windows 10. Here’s how:

1. Open the Settings app by clicking on the Windows start menu and selecting the gear icon on the left.
2. Click on System.
3. Click on Screenshot in the left sidebar.
4. Select your preferred screenshot file type.

Conclusion

Now that you know multiple methods for taking and customizing screenshots on your Windows 10 computer, you can easily take screenshots whenever you need to. Try out different methods to find which ones work best for you, and don’t be afraid to customize your settings to suit your needs.