How to Screenshot on PC

Introduction

This tutorial will guide you through the various methods for taking screenshots on a Windows 11 PC. Whether you need to capture your entire screen, a specific window, or a custom area, these step-by-step instructions will help you efficiently take screenshots using keyboard shortcuts and tools like the Snipping Tool.

Step 1: Taking Full-Screen Screenshots

To capture your entire desktop, including all monitors, use the following keyboard shortcut:

• Print Screen: Press the Print Screen key (often labeled as "PrtScn") to take a screenshot of the entire screen. This saves the screenshot to your clipboard.

Step 2: Capturing the Active Window

If you only want to capture the currently active window, use this shortcut:

• ALT + Print Screen: Hold down the ALT key and then press the Print Screen key. This will copy the screenshot of the active window to your clipboard.

Step 3: Automatically Saving Screenshots

To automatically save your screenshots directly to your Pictures folder:

• Windows Logo Key + Print Screen: Press the Windows logo key together with the Print Screen key. Your screenshot will be saved in the "Screenshots" folder located within your "Pictures" library.

Step 4: Saving Active Window Screenshots

To save a screenshot of the active window directly to OneDrive:

• Windows Logo Key + ALT + Print Screen: Press these keys simultaneously to capture the current window and save it to the "Captures" folder in your OneDrive.

Step 5: Using the Snipping Tool

To take a custom screenshot of a specific area:

• Windows Logo Key + Shift + S: This will launch the Snipping Tool, allowing you to select the area of the screen you want to capture. After selecting, the screenshot is copied to your clipboard.

Step 6: Taking Scrolling Screenshots

If you're browsing in Microsoft Edge and want to capture a scrolling screenshot:

• CTRL + Shift + S: Use this shortcut to take a screenshot that captures the entire page, not just the visible part.

Bonus Tip: Managing Screenshots

To view and paste multiple screenshots stored in your clipboard history:

• Windows Logo Key + V: This opens the clipboard history where you can select previously taken screenshots to paste them into your desired application.

Conclusion

You've learned several effective methods to take screenshots on a Windows 11 PC, including full-screen captures, active window captures, and using the Snipping Tool for custom selections. Practice these techniques to enhance your productivity. For more advanced screenshot capabilities, consider exploring third-party tools like ShareX.