# How to Screenshot on Windows – A Complete Guide

> Learn various methods to take screenshots on Windows, whether using built-in tools or third-party applications.

Source: https://www.howtodoos.com/how-to-screenshot-on-windows/ · By Nvery & Tina Collins · Updated 2024-08-17

Taking screenshots on a Windows computer is a simple yet powerful feature that can come in handy in many situations. Whether you're capturing a full screen, a specific window, or just a part of the screen, Windows offers multiple methods to get the job done.

In this guide, we'll explore various ways to take screenshots on Windows, including built-in tools and third-party applications. By the end, you'll be able to capture, edit, and save your screenshots with ease.
![How to Screenshot on Windows](https://www.howtodoos.com/images/posts/img/how-to-screenshot-on-windows.webp)
### 1. Using the Print Screen Key (PrtScn)

The **Print Screen** key is the most straightforward way to take a screenshot on Windows.

### Capture the Entire Screen
- Press the **PrtScn** key on your keyboard.
- The screenshot is copied to your clipboard.
- Paste it into an image editor like **Paint** using `Ctrl + V`, and save it as an image file.

### Capture the Active Window
- Press **Alt + PrtScn**.
- The screenshot of the active window is copied to your clipboard.
- Paste it into an image editor and save.

### Auto-save Screenshot to File
- Press **Windows key + PrtScn**.
- The screen will dim briefly, and the screenshot will be saved automatically in the **Pictures > Screenshots** folder.

### 2. Using Snipping Tool

The **Snipping Tool** is a built-in Windows application that allows you to capture specific areas of your screen.

### How to Use Snipping Tool
1. Open the **Snipping Tool** by searching for it in the Start menu.
2. Click on **New** to start a new snip.
3. Select the area of the screen you want to capture.
4. Save the screenshot or copy it to the clipboard.

### Snipping Modes
- **Free-form Snip:** Draw a free-form shape around the area.
- **Rectangular Snip:** Drag the cursor to create a rectangular selection.
- **Window Snip:** Capture a specific window.
- **Full-screen Snip:** Capture the entire screen.

### 3. Using Snip & Sketch

**Snip & Sketch** is an enhanced version of the Snipping Tool, providing more features for capturing and editing screenshots.

### How to Use Snip & Sketch
1. Open **Snip & Sketch** from the Start menu.
2. Click on **New** to start a snip.
3. Select the area to capture using one of the snip modes.
4. Edit the screenshot if needed, using the tools provided.
5. Save or share the screenshot.
   ![How to Use Snip & Sketch — How to Screenshot on Windows](https://www.howtodoos.com/images/posts/img/how-to-screenshot-on-windows-2.webp)
### Quick Snip
- Press **Windows key + Shift + S**.
- The screen will dim, and you can select the area to capture.
- The screenshot is copied to your clipboard and can be pasted into any application.

### 4. Using Game Bar (Windows + G)

The **Game Bar** is primarily for gamers but can be used by anyone to capture screenshots.

### How to Capture Screenshots with Game Bar
1. Press **Windows key + G** to open the Game Bar.
2. Click on the **Camera icon** or press **Windows key + Alt + PrtScn** to capture a screenshot.
3. Screenshots are automatically saved in the **Videos > Captures** folder.

### 5. Using Third-Party Applications

If you need more advanced features, third-party applications can be a great option.

### Popular Third-Party Screenshot Tools
- **Lightshot:** Simple and fast, with online sharing options.
- **Greenshot:** Offers more customization options.
- **ShareX:** Advanced tool with many capture and editing options.

## Summary
![Summary — How to Screenshot on Windows](https://www.howtodoos.com/images/posts/img/how-to-screenshot-on-windows-3.webp)
Taking a screenshot on Windows is a task that can be done in various ways, depending on your needs:

- Use the **Print Screen** key for quick captures.
- The **Snipping Tool** and **Snip & Sketch** offer more control over what you capture.
- **Game Bar** is great for gamers who want to capture in-game moments.
- Third-party tools like **Lightshot** and **ShareX** provide advanced options for editing and sharing.

With these methods, you can easily capture, save, and share your screen content on Windows.