Taking a screenshot on your Windows laptop doesn’t have to be a hassle. This 7 steps guide will show you the quickest way to take a screenshot on Windows. Here’s what you need to know to get started:
1. Open the desktop, window, or other item you want to capture and press the Print Screen (PrtScn) key. This will capture the entire screen and save the image of the current screen to the clipboard.
2. Open an image editing software like Paint or Photoshop.
Step 1: Choose the Right Key Combination
Step 1: Choose the Right Key Combination
If you want to take a screenshot of your laptop’s current display, you first need to decide which keyboard combination you want to use. For most Windows laptops, the default method is to press the “PrtScn” button. This will capture the entire display and save it to your clipboard. Alternatively, you can use the “ALT + PrtScn” key combination to capture just the active window. The “Windows Key + PrtScn” option saves a copy to the “Screenshots” folder in your picture library.
Lastly, you can also press “Windows Key + Shift + S” to launch a snipping tool that allows you to draw around a specific area in order to capture it. Whichever option you prefer, make sure to try it out beforehand to get familiar with the controls for a more efficient freezing of your display.
Step 2: Activate the Rectangular Area Tool
Once you’ve launched the Snipping Tool on your Windows laptop, your next step is to activate the Rectangular Area Tool. The Rectangular Area Tool is a handy feature that allows you to select a specific part of your screen to capture – useful if you don’t want to take a screenshot of the entire screen.
To activate the Rectangular Area Tool, simply click the “Rectangular Area Tool” icon that appears at the top of the Snipping Tool window. Once selected, you’ll be able to drag to select a certain portion of the screen. When you have the desired area highlighted, simply release the mouse button and the area will be captured by the Snipping Tool.
It’s important to note here that the Rectangular Area Tool icon will only become activated once the Snipping Tool is running – otherwise, it won’t appear.
Step 3: Create an Active Screenshot Folder
Once you have mastered the basic steps of taking a screenshot on your Windows laptop, it’s time to create an active folder for easy storage. To create your active folder:
- Step 1: Right-click the desktop and navigate to the “New” menu.
- Step 2: Select “Folder” from the options.
- Step 3: Name your folder “Screenshots” and click “OK”. Your folder should now appear on your desktop.
You are now ready to store your screenshots in this folder. Having an active folder is important; it will save you the time of manually finding and organizing your screenshots.
Conclusion
Taking a screenshot on a Windows laptop may seem complicated, but following these 7 steps can make it simpler. If you used the Snipping Tool, the screenshot will be automatically saved in your Pictures library. Alternately, using Print Screen or Windows + PrtScn options will allow you to save the screenshot to any folder of your choice. As such, it is now simpler to take a screenshot on a Windows laptop and share it with friends and family.
