How to Capture Screen on PC – Easy Guide

Are you looking for the best methods to capture screenshots on your PC running Windows 10 or Windows 11? Look no further! In this guide, we will show you easy and efficient ways to capture your screen on a PC, whether you want to capture the entire screen or just a specific area.

Windows operating systems provide built-in tools and keyboard shortcuts that make capturing screenshots a breeze. One of the user-friendly options is the Snip & Sketch tool, which allows you to capture different types of screenshots, including rectangular, freeform, window, or full-screen. It provides a seamless experience for both Windows 10 and Windows 11 users.

If you prefer a more familiar tool, the Snipping Tool is still available in Windows 11. With its capabilities, which have been around since Windows Vista, you can easily capture screenshots of specific areas on your screen.

Additionally, keyboard shortcuts like Print Screen, Windows key + Print Screen, and Alt + Print Screen can be used to capture the entire screen or the active window. Game enthusiasts can take advantage of Windows key + G to access the Game bar and capture screenshots during gameplay.

If you’re using a Microsoft Surface device, simply press the combination of the Windows Logo touch button and the physical volume-down button to capture a screenshot of the entire screen.

But wait, there’s more! For those seeking additional features and customization options, there are third-party screenshot apps available for download. Apps like Lightshot, Greenshot, ScreenRec, Snagit, and Screencast-O-Matic offer advanced functionalities such as social sharing, editing, annotation, and even video recording.

Now that you know the various methods to capture screenshots on your PC, it’s time to put them into practice. Take advantage of these tips and tricks to enhance your productivity and easily capture anything on your screen.

Using Built-in Tools

The built-in screenshot tools in Windows 10 and Windows 11 provide convenient options for capturing screen images. These tools include the Snip & Sketch screenshot tool, the Snipping Tool, and keyboard shortcuts like the Print Screen key, Windows key + Print Screen, and Alt + Print Screen. Let’s explore these tools and shortcuts in more detail:

Snip & Sketch Screenshot Tool

The Snip & Sketch tool is a user-friendly option for capturing screenshots on Windows 10 and Windows 11. It offers a variety of screenshot modes, including rectangular, freeform, window, or full-screen. To access Snip & Sketch, you can use the convenient keyboard shortcut Windows key + Shift + S. This tool provides an improved user interface compared to the Snipping Tool, making it easier to capture and annotate your screenshots.

Snipping Tool

The Snipping Tool is another built-in option for capturing screenshots. Although it has been delisted from the Start menu in Windows 11, it is still available and can be accessed by searching for it in the taskbar or using the Run dialog (Win + R) and entering “snippingtool”. The Snipping Tool allows you to capture screenshots of specific areas, windows, or the entire screen.

Print Screen Key

The Print Screen key is a commonly used method for capturing the entire screen. Pressing the Print Screen key captures a screenshot of the entire screen and copies it to the clipboard. You can then paste it into an image editing tool, such as Paint or Photoshop, to save and edit the screenshot.

Windows Key + Print Screen

The combination of the Windows key + Print Screen is a quick and convenient way to capture the entire screen and automatically save the screenshot. When you press this key combination, the screenshot is saved in the Pictures > Screenshots folder in your user directory. This eliminates the need to paste the screenshot into another application for saving.

Alt + Print Screen

If you only want to capture the active window, you can use the Alt + Print Screen shortcut. Pressing this combination captures a screenshot of the active window and copies it to the clipboard. You can then paste it into an image editing tool or document for further editing or saving.

Game Bar and Surface Device Shortcuts

The Game Bar is an overlay feature available in Windows 10 and Windows 11 that allows users to capture screenshots with ease. To use the Game Bar, you’ll need to enable it in your settings. Once enabled, you can quickly access it by pressing the keyboard shortcut Windows key + G.

With the Game Bar open, you have two options for capturing screenshots. You can either click on the dedicated screenshot button within the Game Bar interface or use the default shortcut Windows key + Alt + PrtScn.

Microsoft Surface users also have a convenient built-in shortcut for capturing screenshots. Simply press the combination of the Windows Logo touch button and the physical volume-down button simultaneously, and a screenshot of your entire screen will be taken.

Taking a Game Bar Screenshot in Windows 10 and Windows 11:

1. Enable the Game Bar in your settings.
2. Press Windows key + G to open the Game Bar.
3. Click on the screenshot button within the Game Bar interface or use the shortcut Windows key + Alt + PrtScn.

Taking a Microsoft Surface Screenshot:

1. Press the Windows Logo touch button and the physical volume-down button simultaneously.
2. A screenshot of your entire screen will be automatically saved to the Pictures > Screenshots folder.

Capture screenshots effortlessly using the Game Bar and take advantage of the convenient shortcut on Microsoft Surface devices. These features provide a quick and efficient way to capture and save screenshots on your Windows PC.

Third-Party Apps for Screenshots

In addition to the built-in tools, there are also third-party screenshot apps available for capturing screenshots on Windows. These apps provide additional features and customization options to enhance your screenshot capturing and editing experience.

One popular option is Lightshot, which offers quick social sharing and editing capabilities. With Lightshot, you can easily capture screenshots and instantly share them on various social media platforms. It also provides basic editing tools to annotate and enhance your screenshots.

Greenshot is another great choice that allows you to customize your screenshots and capture scrolling web pages. It offers a simple yet powerful interface, giving you the ability to capture precise areas of your screen and make necessary adjustments before saving or sharing.

If you’re looking for an all-in-one solution for capturing both screenshots and videos, ScreenRec is worth considering. Along with annotation features, it allows you to record, edit, and share videos of your screen, making it ideal for creating tutorials or sharing gameplay moments.

Snagit is a comprehensive screenshot app that offers advanced features like creating animated GIFs and capturing full-page screenshots. It also provides a range of editing tools for adding arrows, text, and shapes to your screenshots, making it useful for professional documentation or presentations.

An alternative is Screencast-O-Matic, a web-based video editor and screen-sharing tool that also includes screenshot capabilities. It allows you to capture screenshots while recording videos, making it a versatile choice for content creators or remote collaboration.

By exploring these third-party screenshot apps like Lightshot, Greenshot, ScreenRec, Snagit, and Screencast-O-Matic, you can unlock additional features and customization options to elevate your screenshot capturing and editing capabilities on your Windows PC.