How to capture the whole screen
If you need to do it screenshots of everything visible on the monitor, the process is very simple. It is also possible to capture only the active window.
- 1 phase: press the Print key (Alternative: To capture only the active window, press instead Alt + Stamp).
This method will create instantly a screenshot of the entire display (including any extended desktops) or the active window in the case of the alternative process. The screenshot comes added to the clipboard, allowing you to paste it elsewhere.
- 2 phase: paste the captured screenshot in the desired place.
You can paste it into an image editor, such as Paint, to be able to edit and save. Alternatively, you can paste the image into a chat or email.
That's all there is to it if you just need a way to quickly share what's on screen. However, there are more advanced methods of capturing screen on PC.
How to capture the entire screen directly to a file
The method described in the previous point is useful for those who need to take screenshots sporadically, but if necessary quickly capture a series of screenshots, there is a better method.
Copying to clipboard means you need to paste the screenshot somewhere else before making a new screenshot. If you don't save it somewhere, the first screenshot is overwritten by the second.
The following method instead allows you to do it quickly a screenshot and have Windows instantly save it as a PNG image file.
- 1 phase: press the Windows key + Print Screen. (Alternative: Add the Alt key to the key combination to save a quick screenshot of the active window). After performing this step, Windows will save the file. By default, it will be displayed in the folder file path: “This PC - Pictures - Screenshots”.
When a screenshot of the active window is taken, however, it may not go to this folder, but to “This PC - Video - Path to capture file”. In any case, a Windows pop-up will appear, you will then be able to see where the screenshot is saved.
How to capture parts of the screen
If necessary be more specific with a screenshot, Windows 10 has a tool that can help.
- 1 phase: run the “Capture and Annotate” app.
You can type “Capture and Annotate” into the Windows 10 search bar to find the app and launch it.
- Step two: at the top left of the Snipping Tool, press the “New” button.
This darkens the screen and provides some options at the top of the screen. If you need to take a screenshot with a few seconds delay, you can click on the arrow to the right of the “New” button and choose from the options.
- Step 3: click and drag the mouse to draw a box around the section of the screen you want to capture. (Alternative: You can draw a free-form capture space by selecting the Freeform option from the buttons at the top of the capture screen).
As with the first screenshot technique examined, this method captures the screenshot and adds it to the clipboard. “Capture and Annotate” will also instantly show your new screenshot within the app, allowing you to quickly edit it and save it as a file.
Should it be necessary to do one extra quick screenshot with “Capture and Annotate”, some newer versions of Windows 10 (Creators Update and later) use the keyboard shortcut Shift + Windows Key + S to go directly to capture mode.
NOTE: : unfortunately we are well aware that all these methods cannot beat the one chosen par excellence by our mothers: the photo on the screen with the smartphone.
How to take a screenshot on a Windows 10 PC
