Whether you’re surfing the vast expanse of the internet, engrossed in a riveting movie scene, examining intricate images, or simply finding something on your computer screen worth saving for later, there often arises a need to capture that moment. Screenshots serve as a quick and effective means to accomplish this. In today’s digital age, Windows 10, Microsoft’s flagship operating system, offers a plethora of options to achieve this with ease. From capturing the entirety of your display to honing in on a specific segment, taking a screenshot in Windows 10 is a breeze.
In the yesteryears of traditional Windows versions, the “PrtScn” or “prt sc” key was the go-to method for many when it came to taking screenshots. For those using keyboards where the print screen function is integrated with the function keys, pressing the “fn” key in tandem with the “PrtScn” key did the trick. Although this method captured the entire screen, those looking to capture just a segment had to rely on editing tools. Fortunately, Windows 10 provides users with various key combinations to cater to different screenshot requirements:-
- PrtScn: Captures the entire active window and copies it to the clipboard, ready to be pasted in programs like MS Word or Paint.
- Alt + PrtScn: Specifically captures only the active window, storing the screenshot on the clipboard.
- Windows Key + Shift + S: An advanced combination that dims the screen, allowing users to select and capture a specific area of their display.
- Windows Key + PrtScn: This useful shortcut directly saves the screenshot as an image file within the “Pictures > Screenshots” directory.
In its continuous pursuit of enhancing user experience, Microsoft introduced an intuitive tool in Windows 10 named the “Snipping Tool.” Tailored for users who frequently need to capture specific portions of their screen, the Snipping Tool not only allows for selective screenshot capture but also provides an option to save the image directly to a preferred location.
How to take a screenshot in Windows 10 using the Snipping Tool?
Follow these steps to take a screenshot in Windows 10 using the Snipping Too:-
Step 1. To use the Snipping Tool in Windows 10, open the Start menu and type Snipping.
Step 2. Click the Snipping Tool to launch it in the available search results.
Step 3. Now, select the desired mode of shape from the Mode menu, e.g., Free-form Snip, Rectangular Snip, Window Snip, or Full-screen Snip.
Step 4. After that, click New and drag the mouse by pressing the left key to capture the desired active screen area. The screen will be frozen till we capture the screenshot.
Step 5. Finally, you can save the screenshot in the desired location.
Conclusion
Capturing a moment on your computer screen has never been easier with the advanced features provided by Windows 10. From traditional methods using the “PrtScn” key to the innovative “Snipping Tool,” users have a range of options to seamlessly take screenshots tailored to their specific needs. With these tools at their fingertips, Windows 10 users can effectively document and share moments from their screens.
