• In Windows 10 or Windows 11, you can use the Print Screen button or apps like Snipping Tool to capture a screenshot.
• If you want to record your screen, use the Game Bar by pressing Windows Key + G.
• Third-party apps provide even more functionality, such as automatically uploading screenshots to the internet.

If you need to take a screenshot of something on your computer, both Windows 10 and Windows 11 provide several options.

We’ve compiled a list of the best ways to take a screenshot in Windows, whether you want to save the entire screen or just a portion of it.

The Print Screen Command/Button

The Print Screen button is located on the top row of keys.

The Print Screen (PrtScn) key is the quickest way to capture a screenshot in Windows 10 or Windows 11. Simply press PrtScn on the upper-right side of your keyboard to capture your entire screen.

The screenshot will be copied to your clipboard in Windows 10. To save the file, paste the screenshot into any program that supports image inserts, such as Microsoft Word or Paint.

To save and edit your screenshot, paste it into a program like Paint.

In Windows 11, pressing the PrtScn button saves the screenshot to your computer’s Screenshots folder, which you can access by opening File Explorer and clicking Pictures on the left side. It will also save the screenshot to your OneDrive if you have it enabled.

The Windows key + Print Screen

By pressing the Windows Key and Print Screen at the same time, you can save screenshots automatically.

To take a screenshot on Windows 10 and save it automatically, press the Windows key + PrtScn. Your screen will become dim, and a screenshot of the entire screen will be saved to the Screenshots folder.

In Windows 11, pressing the Windows key + PrtScn saves a screenshot of your entire screen to the Screenshots folder and copies the image to your clipboard. This allows you to immediately paste the image into a social media post, art app, or other application.

Alt + Print Screen

Press Alt + PrtScn to capture only the active window you’re working in. This will copy it to your clipboard in Windows 10, so you’ll need to paste it into another program to save it; in Windows 11, it will immediately copy and save it to the Screenshots folder. (How To Take A Screenshot On My Laptop?)

Windows 10’s Snip & Sketch tool:

Snip & Sketch in Windows 10 is the best way to screenshot on Windows if you want to customize, annotate, or share your screen captures.

Use the keyboard shortcut Windows Key + Shift + S to activate Snip & Sketch. Your screen will dim, and a mini menu will appear at the top, giving you the option to capture a rectangular, free-form, window, or full-screen image.

This keyboard combo is compatible with both Windows 10 and Windows 11.

You can choose how to take a screenshot with these Snip & Skitch options:

Click the menu to capture a rectangular, free-form, window, or full-screen image (from left to right).

After you take the screenshot, it will be saved to your clipboard and a preview notification will appear in the lower-right corner of your screen.

Click on the preview notification to open the Snip & Sketch app and save, share, or edit the screenshot with the available drawing tools.

Windows 11’s Snipping Tool:

The Snipping Tool is available in Windows 10, but it is not usually the screenshot tool of choice. However, in Windows 11, the Snipping Tool received a significant upgrade, and it is now the best way to take custom screenshots.

To launch the Snipping Tool in Windows 11, search for it or press Windows Key + Shift + S. Your screen will dim, and a toolbar with screenshot options will appear at the top of the screen, as with Snip & Sketch. This toolbar allows you to capture a rectangular, freeform, full-window, or full-screen image.

The Snipping Tool resembles Snip & Sketch.

When you take a screenshot, it is copied to your clipboard so that you can share it right away. You can also save and edit it by clicking the preview that appears in the bottom-right corner of your screen.

You can immediately edit your screenshot.

The Game Bar:

The Game Bar is an overlay that you can use to take screenshots and revideosvideo within most Windows apps and games. Press Windows Key + G to access the Game Bar.

Instant tip: If the Game Bar does not appear, make sure it is enabled. To enable the Game Bar, search for “Game bar settings” and select “Record game clips, screenshots, and broadcast using Game Bar” from the menu.

To capture a full-screen screenshot, click the camera icon on the overlay menu; you can also record a video clip by pressing the record button, with the option to include audio by clicking the microphone icon.

The Game Bar saves screenshots and video clips in PNG format to the Videos > Captures folder. You can also access it from the Game Bar by selecting “Show all captures” beneath the screenshot and recording buttons.

Power + Volume Up Button

Press the Power Button + Volume Up Button on a Microsoft Surface device to take a screenshot in Windows 10. Your screenshot will be saved to the Pictures > Screenshots folder after the screen dims.

Windows screenshot apps from third parties

If none of the built-in Windows methods satisfy you, there are third-party screenshot tools to consider, each with itstheir own set of extra features.

The Game Bar saves screenshots and video clips in PNG format to the Videos > Captures folder. You can also access it from the Game Bar by selecting “Show all captures” beneath the screenshot and recording buttons.

Lightshot and oscreenshotsnshot apps are useful for social sharing.

• Lightshot is a free screenshot tool for easy social sharing. Lightshot replaces the Print Screen function in Windows 10 and provides more editing capabilities.
• Greenshot is another free tool that lets you editcustomizeomise screenshots as well as capture a full scrolling web page.
• Snagit is a screenshot tool that allows you to take full-page screenshots, create animated GIFs, and more. The disadvantage? The premium edition is $50. There’s also a 30-day free trial, but any images you take during that time will be watermarked. [How To Take A Screenshot On My Laptop?]