Most devices allow you to take a photo of everything on the screen by typing a quick shortcut. Screenshots can be used to solve problems, give instructions, for reference or to show off. The process of taking screenshots varies depending on the device you use. In this wikiHow, you will learn how to take a screenshot on popular computers, phones, tablets, and game consoles.
Steps
Method 1 of 7: Windows 10
Step 1. Press ⊞ Win + PrintPant at the same time
Depending on the keyboard, you may also need to press and hold the key Fn to activate the "Print Screen" button. This will dim the screen for a second and save an image of the entire desktop in a folder called "Screenshots" within the "Pictures" folder.
- If you want to find the screenshot, press the keys Windows + E at the same time to open the file explorer, double-click Images in the left panel (you may need to expand "This team" first) and then click Screenshots.
- Read on if this doesn't work for you or if you want to select a certain area of the screen to capture instead of the entire screen.
Step 2. Press ⊞ Win + Shift + S at the same time
Pressing these keys at the same time opens the "Snip & Sketch" tool. It dims the screen and displays a menu of icons in the top center.
This tool is already installed in Windows 10 and is designed to replace the "Snipping" tool. If you are used to using the latter, you can still do it, although Microsoft recommends that you use the "Snip & Sketch" tool instead
Step 3. Mouse over each icon to see what its function is
This is important, as the icons on the toolbar are not labeled:
- The first icon is the rectangular cutout, with which you can draw a rectangle or square around the part of the screen you want to capture.
- The second is the free cutout, with which you can draw by hand around the part of the screen you want.
- The third tool is the window clipping, with which you can take a screenshot of a single window.
- The fourth tool is full screen cropping, which takes a photo of the entire screen (a traditional screenshot).
Step 4. Take the screenshot
- If you want a full screen capture, clicking the full screen button automatically captures the screen and saves it to the clipboard.
- If you want to select a part of the screen, select either the rectangle or the hand drawing tool and click and drag it around the part of the screen you want to capture. As soon as you lift your finger, the capture will be saved to the clipboard.
- If you want to capture only one window, select the window clipping tool and click the one you want to capture. This saves the capture to the clipboard.
Step 5. Open the "Paint" application
You will find it in the start menu or if you type paint in the search bar.
Step 6. Click the Paste icon
It's in the upper-left corner of Paint. With this the screenshot is pasted into this application.
Step 7. Click the File menu and select Save As
The "File" menu is in the upper left corner of the screen.
Step 8. Choose a location and click Save
You can also rename the file if you want. Now the screenshot will have been saved.
Method 2 of 7: Windows 8
Step 1. Press ⊞ Win + PrintPant at the same time
Depending on the keyboard, you may also need to press and hold the key Fn to activate the "Print Screen" button. This will dim the screen for a second and save an image of the entire desktop in a folder called "Screenshots" within the "Pictures" folder.
- If you want to find the screenshot, press the keys Windows + E at the same time to open the file explorer, click on the folder Images and then click Screenshots.
- Read on if this doesn't work for you or if you want to select a certain area of the screen to capture instead of the entire screen.
Step 2. Open the "Snipping Tool"
An easy way to do this is to press the Windows key on the keyboard to open the menu, type snippets in the search bar, and then click cuts. This opens the built-in tool for taking screenshots.
Step 3. Click the down arrow next to "Mode."
This expands a list of options for taking a screenshot.
Step 4. Click on the type of snapshot you want to take
This is how the different options work:
- Free clipping allows you to draw a line by hand around the area you want to capture. As soon as you lift your finger from the mouse, a preview will appear.
- Rectangular cutout allows you to draw a square or rectangle around an area that you want to capture. When you lift your finger, you will see a preview of the screenshot.
- Window cutout Allows you to take a snapshot of just the contents of a window. Once you have selected this tool, click on the window you want to capture to immediately take the capture and show a preview.
- Full screen cropping captures whatever is currently on the monitor screen. This captures the screen as it is at the time and displays a preview.
Step 5. Click on the disk icon to save
It's in the toolbar that runs across the top of the screen.
Step 6. Select a location to save the screenshot and click Save
With this the capture is saved in the folder you want.
Method 3 of 7: Mac
Step 1. Press Command + Shift + 3 to take a screenshot of the entire screen
You will hear a shutter sound if the speakers are on. The capture will be saved to a file on your desktop in-p.webp" />
- If you want to copy the screenshot to the clipboard instead of having a file created, press Command + Ctrl + Shift +
Step 3..
Step 2. Press Command + Shift + 4 to take a custom sized screenshot
The cursor will become a crosshair. Click and drag it to form a box on the screen. Everything inside it will be captured when you release the mouse button.
- Press Esc to exit the selection of the screenshot without taking it.
- If you want to copy the screenshot to the clipboard instead of having a file created, press Command + Ctrl + Shift +
Step 4..
Step 3. Press Command + Shift + 4 to take a screenshot of a window
Press the space bar to turn the crosshairs into a camera. Click on the window you want to capture. The capture will be saved to the desktop.
Method 4 of 7: Android
Step 1. Press the power button and the volume down button at the same time for a second or two
On most Android devices, this will quickly capture the screen content and save the image to the gallery.
- Since there are many different Android models, the key combination may vary. Usually it is the power button + the volume down button or the power button + the volume up button.
- Read on if this doesn't work.
Step 2. Press and hold the power button for a few seconds and select Capture
If you couldn't take a screenshot by pressing the power button + the volume down button, try this. After holding down the power button for a few seconds, release it when you see a menu with the "Capture" option. By selecting Capture, the image will be saved in your gallery or photo app.
Method 5 of 7: iPhone or iPad
Step 1. Press the home button (if your iPhone or iPad has it) and the power button (wake up and sleep) at the same time
When you release them, you will see that the screen flashes. The screenshot you have taken will now be saved in the "Screenshots" folder in the "Photos" application.
If you want to edit the screenshot, tap the preview that appears on the screen to open it in Markup
Step 2. Press the side button and the volume up button at the same time (if your iPhone or iPad doesn't have a home button)
When you release them, the screen will flash, indicating that you have taken a snapshot.
To edit the capture, touch the preview that appears on the screen to open it in Markup
Method 6 of 7: PlayStation 4
Step 1. Press and hold the "Share" button to take the screenshot
The game will pause and the "Share" menu will open.
Not all content has support for screenshots. You may not be able to take screenshots when playing movies or in video game cutscenes
Step 2. Select Screenshot
With this the screen is captured and saved in the gallery.
Step 3. Select an option to upload the screenshot
If you want to share the screenshot online, at this time you can select an option like Activities (to share it on PSN as an activity) or Facebook to share with friends online.
Method 7 of 7: Xbox One
Step 1. Start the game you want to take a screenshot of
Unable to take screenshots of the Xbox One menu.
Step 2. Press the Xbox button when you want to take a screenshot
This opens the guide.
- If you're using one of the newer wireless controllers, you can quickly take a screenshot by pressing the button. Share (the curved arrow) on the controller. This saves the capture immediately.
Step 3. Press the Y button to take a screenshot
If you have a Kinect, it is also possible to say "Xbox, take a screenshot."
Step 4. Find the screenshots
You can find them all in the Upload Studio application, under "Manage captures". Then you can share them on various social networks or save them on your OneDrive.