8 ways to take a screenshot in Windows 10

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Take screenshots using system tools or additional programs.

Windows standard tools

1. Win + PrtSc

Let's start with the simplest. To instantly take a screenshot of the entire screen, use the keyboard shortcut Win (with a checkbox) + PrtSc (Print Screen).

The system will take a screenshot and immediately save it to your hard drive in-p.webp

2. PrtSc + Paint

This method also allows you to take a screenshot of the entire screen, but if necessary, you can immediately edit the result.

Press the PrtSc key. Windows will take a screenshot, but will not show it: the system will not save the image to the hard drive, but only copy it to the clipboard.

To see a screenshot, start Paint and paste the image into the program window using the Ctrl + V keys. If necessary, change the image using the editor.

Click File → Save As and save the screenshot in the format you want. The image will appear in the folder you specified. Instead of Paint, you can use any other graphics editor installed on your PC.

3. Alt + PrtSc

This key combination takes a snapshot of the active window and, like the previous method, copies the resulting image to the clipboard.

Press Alt + PrtSc. Then open Paint or another graphics editor and use the Ctrl + V keys to paste the screenshot. Edit the image, if necessary, and save it to any folder in a convenient format.

4. Program "Scissors"

Windows 10 has a built-in screenshot manager that allows you to take screenshots of the entire screen, selected sections, and selected windows. This is the "Scissors" application. It is easy to find it by name through the system search.

With Scissors running, press Mode and select the desired display area. Then use the "Create" button and click on the screen.

When the screenshot is ready, the program will open it in a new window. Here you can put your own notes on the image and send it by mail or simply save it to your hard drive.

5. Program "Fragment and Sketch"

Recently, Windows 10 added another app for working with screenshots - "Snippet and Sketch". It also allows you to take snapshots of a selection, selected windows, or the entire screen. Most likely, in the future, this utility will replace "Scissors".

To call "Fragment and Sketch", press Win + Shift + S or search for the program by name through the search system. After launching it, select the area of the screenshot using the buttons that appear on the display.

To see a screenshot, open Paint and press Ctrl + V. When the image appears in the program, it can be edited and saved to your hard drive. In some Windows builds, Snippet and Sketch has a built-in editor that removes the need for Paint.

Third party programs

If standard methods are not enough for you, you can try these tools with additional functions.

1. Nimbus Capture

Nimbus Capture is a browser plugin that makes it very convenient to take screenshots of web pages. Besides the usual snapshots of the entire screen, window or selection, it also allows you to capture the full length of the page, even if it does not fit the screen.

Also in Nimbus Capture you can edit images and save them directly to Google Drive. Plus, the plugin can record screen video.

To take a screenshot, just click on the Nimbus Capture button on the browser panel and select an area of the screen. You can also customize hotkeys and image format:-p.webp

All of these features are available free of charge. But, if you want to attach your logo to the screenshots, save them to Dropbox and receive operational technical support, you will have to subscribe to a subscription for $ 15 per year.

2. PicPick

An image editor very similar to Paint, with a screenshot function. PicPick can take screenshots of the entire screen, any selected area and the selected window - including scrolling. As for the editor, in addition to basic functions like adding text and markup, it allows you to adjust the colors of images and apply various effects.

You can customize hotkeys and save the file in one of the following formats: PNG, JPG, BMP, PDF, and GIF. After installation, the program icon appears on the taskbar. To take a screenshot, you need to click on it and select an area of the screen.

The program can be used for free, but in this case, new versions will have to be downloaded from the site manually. For the auto-update feature, developers ask for a one-time payment of $ 30.

3. LightShot

LightShot is the simplest tool that allows you to take screenshots of a selected area in a couple of clicks. You just need to click on the program icon and select the required fragment with the mouse. Then you can add text, arrows, or draw something over the image.

It is very convenient to share screenshots with LightShot. After taking a screenshot, you can immediately save it on the program server to get a direct link to send to colleagues or friends. There are two formats at your service:-p.webp

The application is free, but it offers to download additional software before installation. Don't forget to give it up.

This material was first published in January 2017. In March 2020, we updated the text.