Taking Screenshots (Windows)

Screenshots are an handy way to capture exactly what you see on your screen. Whether you want to save an image, document an error, or share something interesting, Windows provides multiple methods to take screenshots. Windows' built-in screenshot tool, the Snipping Tool, is great for taking a screenshot of either your entire screen or just a section. Below we'll explain how to take a screenshot or screen recording using the Snipping Tool, and how to find that screenshot on your computer.

Goals

1. Be able to take a screenshot of your full screen or just a section
2. Take a screenshot or a screen recording
3. Find the file created by the Snipping Tool

The Highlights

1. Press the shortcut to start the screenshot. Either PrtScr or Windows+Shift+S
2. Click and drag the ➕ cursor over the area you want to screenshot
3. Lift the mouse and the screenshot is taken
4. Go to your Photos/Screenshots directory and the screenshot will be there

Taking a Screenshot

Windows gives you two easy shortcuts for taking a screenshot: PrtScr (usually in the upper right of your keyboard) and Windows + Shift + S. Pressing either of these key combinations will open up the Snipping Tool to start a screenshot. If you don't like to use keyboard shortcuts (but you should), you can always open up the Snipping Tool and click "New".

When you first open the tool, your screen will get a little gray, and your cursor will be replaced by a ➕. With that little plus, you can click and drag across the part of your screen that you want in a screenshot. That will highlight a part of the screen. When you release the mouse, the screenshot will be taken. If you change your mind about taking the screenshot, just press Esc to cancel.

Once you take the screenshot, it is automatically saved to C:\Users\[Your Username]\Pictures\Screenshots. You can access this folder by navigating through File Explorer or directly searching for "Screenshots" in the Windows search bar.

Extra tips

Checking and Changing the Default Location:

1. Navigate to the Folder:
   • Open File Explorer and go to Pictures > Screenshots.
2. Change the Default Location:
   • Right-click on the "Screenshots" folder and select "Properties."
   • Go to the "Location" tab and click "Move" to choose a new location.

Taking a screen recording

In addition to taking a screenshot, the Snipping Tool also allows you to take a screen recording either of the whole screen or a part of it. This can be a useful tool if you want to show someone how to do something, or to document a problem that involves multiple steps.

1. Open the Snipping Tool with PrtScr or Windows+Shift+S or from the Start menu.
2. Click the video icon.
3. Select the part of the screen you want to record.
4. Click "Start".
5. During the recording, the area you select will be highlighted with dashed red lines. Only windows in that area will be recorded.
6. When you are done, click the Stop button (🟥).
7. Your screen recording is automatically saved in C:\Users\[Your Username]\Videos\Screen Recordings.

Conclusion

Taking screenshots in Windows is a straightforward process with multiple methods available to suit your needs. Whether you're capturing the entire screen, a specific window, or a selected area, Windows has a tool for you. Remember that screenshots are automatically saved in the Pictures\Screenshots directory, making them easy to find and organize.

Experiment with these methods to see which one works best for you, and happy screenshotting!