On Windows, taking a screenshot is very easy. Use the keyboard combination Windows + Print Screen. The screenshot will be automatically saved in the Pictures/Screenshots folder. To capture a specific window or area of your screen, you will need to use the Windows Snipping Tool or a photo editing program (or Paint).

Another way to take a screenshot on Windows is to use Windows + Shift + S. Then select the type of screenshot you want: rectangular area, freeform shape, open window, or full screen. Click the corresponding icon, and the screenshot will be automatically saved in the Pictures/Screenshots folder.

Keyboard shortcut to take a screenshot on your Windows PC – Online computer lessons for beginners

Using Windows Snipping Tool to Take a Screenshot

If you want more options for capturing your screen, you can also use the Windows Snipping Tool, which lets you capture a freeform area, a rectangular area, a window, or the entire screen. To open it, type “snipping tool” in the search bar on the taskbar.

Click New to create a screenshot using the Snipping Tool. Choose the type of screenshot you want to capture. The file will automatically be saved in Pictures/Screenshots.

Taking a Screenshot with Photo Editing Software

To take a screenshot and crop it afterwards, press the Print Screen key on your keyboard. The captured image is now in Windows’ clipboard but cannot be used directly. You need to open it and save it as an image, as explained in the next section. Note: Screenshots do not capture the mouse cursor (special software is required for that).

In the example below, we will create a screenshot of the desktop. First, display your desktop and press Print Screen:

2. Save the Screenshot

Now open PhotoFiltre (click the green button above to download it freely), then click Edit → Paste as Image:

The screenshot will appear in the software. Immediately set the zoom to 100% using the mouse wheel or the toolbar settings:

You will get:

Next, resize the image and save it. The screenshot currently has the same dimensions as your screen resolution, which may be too large to send by email. Click Image → Image Size, enter 1280 in the width field, then validate:

Now save your screenshot. Click File → Save As…, select your preferred location, and choose the JPEG file format:

Finish saving the screenshot by setting the compression level to 100 and click Ok.

Video tutorial

Watch a video showing how to take a screenshot on Windows. Use the Windows + Print Screen shortcut. Hold down the Windows key while pressing Print Screen!