How to take a screenshot on a PC? Step-By-Step Procedure

In this post, we will discuss How to take a screenshot on a Pc. As far as the computing task goes, capturing screenshots is quite unreasonable, but it is still a very useful skill. Screenshots can be helpful at work, are essential for keeping records, or can be requested through tech support to better explain the problem you are facing. How to take a screenshot on a PC Windows 10, 8, 7.

But when it comes to taking screenshots on a Windows PC, the first thing to know is that you really have a lot of options to do so. These may include using the print screen key, sending screenshots to OneDrive, retrieving them through the game bar, and more. Our preferred method is to use the paint program, but you can edit the screenshots with any first- or third-party tools. Also, Read About How to Root Android? Step-By-Step Procedure

Step 1: Capture the Image

Windows provides six ways to capture your desktop as an image. The three print screens (PrtScn) are based on the key, while the other three require the Windows key. On external keyboards, you’ll see a dedicated PrtScn key located in the upper right corner. The one key is usually located at the bottom left between the Ctrl and Alt keys. It plays the Windows logo, so it’s not hard to lose. On laptops, the print screen command can be combined with another function on a single key, as shown above. In this case, you have to press the function screen (Fn) key in addition to the print screen key.

Here’s a breakdown of the six-screen capture commands:

  • Print Screen (PrtScn)
  • Alt + Print Screen
  • Win + Print Screen
  • Or Win + Shift + S
  • Win + G
  • Win + Alt + Print Screen

If you’re using OneDrive, you can save screenshots in the cloud so they’re accessible from any device. It does not save screenshots by default. Instead, you should right-click on the cloud icon next to the system clock (or in the Hidden Icon menu with the Iron Icon at the top), select More, and click Settings on the popup menu.

Next, click the Backup tab in the resulting popup window and check the box below the screenshots. In this case, you press the first three print screen commands to automatically save an image to OneDrive. You will not see the screen flicker or dim – you will receive a notification instead. If you want to access the images on your computer, make sure the Screenshots folder is in sync. Lastly, if you have Dropbox, Screenshots can automatically upload a screenshot folder to your cloud storage, which may be ideal for your “showcase”.

Step 2: Open Paint

If you’ve used a method that saves your screenshot locally as a file, you can find and view this image using the Photos app. If everything looks good, you can move it, attach it to an email, upload it to the cloud, and so on. However, if you need to create an image – especially one with multiple screens on a PC. You have three local tools: Paint, Paint 3D, and Photo. How to take a screenshot on a PC computer in an easy way.

Compared to Paint and Paint 3D, Microsoft’s latest photo app is somewhat limited. You can rotate images and extract crops, change their aspect ratio, apply filters. Can adjust color, remove red-eye. You can’t paste a picture from scratch and clipboard.

In this guide, we use the old paint program because it is familiar and reliable. By default, you will not be listed in the Start menu. Instead, type paint in the search field of the taskbar and click on the resulting desktop app.

Paint may also be available when you right-click on an image. When the popup menu appears, hover your mouse pointer over the open menu with the option to enter paint in the secondary menu shown below. Alternatively, you can find the – mspaint.exe – program in the C – Windows System 32 directory. Right-click the file and select the PIN to start on the popup menu.

Step 3: Paste the Screenshot (clipboard only)

If you used a screenshot method that sends your capture to the clipboard, you’ll need this step. With Paint open, click the Clipboard Style Paste button in the top left corner. You can also press the keyboard’s CTRL and VK keys to paste the image onto a blank paint canvas, which spreads out accordingly. How to take a screenshot on a PC on your laptop very easy way.

By inserting your screenshot correctly in Paint, you can crop, paint, create shapes, add text, and much more. If you want to add stickers, 3D shapes, effects, and more, click Color Edit with the Paint 3D button on the right side of the toolbar.

Step 4: Save the Screenshot

This method applies to all screenshot methods. When you have finished editing the image, click on the main file option in the upper left corner. Next, select Save as in the drop-down menu. This option expands with four file formats – PNG, JPEG, BMP, and GIF – with a choice of other formats option to save your image as a TIFF or HEIC file. If you are unfamiliar with image formats, check out our guide, JPEG vs. PNG: When and Why to Use Another Form.

Whatever format you choose, a popup window appears. Enter a file name and select your desired file format from the drop-down menu. You can still choose a specific destination if you don’t want to save your screenshot to the default location. When you’re ready, click the gray safe button in the bottom right corner. And that’s it! You have done it.

Alternatives: The Snipping Tool

The best alternative is the native snapping tool. This built-in utility of screen capture works much better, but it’s not the strongest or most versatile when it comes to saving a snapshot. However, it is a utility that allows users to better define and capture parts of their desktop display as screenshots.

To get started, type the snapping tool in the taskbar’s search field and select the app as a result. Once it opens, you’ll receive a notification that it’s moving to a new home in a future update. It’s still a tool available, but Microsoft encourages you to use Snap and Sketch or the aforementioned One + Shift + S keyboard shortcut.

 Once the snapping tool opens, click the Mode mode button to expand its menu. You will have four screen capture options: Draw window (free form snap), capture an area (rectangular snap) box, capture the current window (window snap), and capture the full screen (full-screen snap) ۔

Note that the screen turns white if you use the free form and rectangular methods. Once you start defining the location of the screenshot, the white color clears within that area. If you are capturing a specific window, your screen indicates a safe white color for the content inside that window.

The snapping tool also includes a delay feature. It can wait between one and five seconds before taking a screenshot so you can capture a video or animation at a single moment. You can then snap repeatedly in the same mode by pressing the Alt and N keys directly. Once you capture the screenshot, the snapping tool interface expands to display your screenshot. You can make light edits like using a pen, highlighter, and eraser. You can also click the Color Paint 3D button to make additional edits to the new application. When you’ve edited the snapping tool, click File in the upper left corner, and then click the Save as an option in the drop-down menu.