How to take and annotate screenshots on Windows 10

Sometimes the easiest way to make a copy of something is to take a snapshot of your screen. While you can already capture your screen using your keyboard’s PrtScn button, you can now press Windows logo key + Shift + S to open the new modern snipping experience (also called the snipping bar), then drag the cursor over the area you want to capture.

Here are some common ways to take and annotate screenshots in Snip & Sketch on Windows 10.

Take a screenshot

Option 1: Using the Snip & Sketch app

Press the Start button and enter Snip & Sketch in the search field.

Press the New button to start snipping with the snipping bar.

The snipping bar allows you to capture the following types of snips:

Rectangular snip. Drag the cursor around an object to form a rectangle.

Free-form snip. Draw a free-form shape around an object.

Full-screen snip. Capture the entire screen.

Once you snip an area of your screen — the snipped image is added to your clipboard and you can paste it immediately in another app. A screen prompt will also allow you to annotate, save or share it using the Snip & Sketch app.

Option 2: With the Print Screen key

While the PrtScn key already captures your full screen and sends it to your clipboard, opening the snipping bar provides you with more snipping tools you can use for precise snipping. For better control of your screen capturing options, you can opt to have your PrtScn key open the new snipping bar instead of having to type Windows logo key + Shift + S.

To turn on the new snipping feature keyboard shortcut Select Start > Settings > Ease of Access > Keyboard

Option 3: With the Window logo key + Shift + S shortcut

Pressing the S key + Windows logo + Shift keys down initiates the snipping bar at any time.

Annotate snips with Snip & Sketch

Opening images for editing with Snip & Sketch

To open an image from Snip & Sketch, select Open File or drag and drop an image from apps like File Explorer or Photos in the Snip & Sketch window.

Annotating images with Snip & Sketch

Snip & Sketch provides a few tools for annotating images, namely pen, pencil and highlighter. Once you click a tool to select it, you can click it again to change its color or thickness.

The tools work better with a pen device, but they can also be used with mouse or touch if you select the Touch Writing button icon.

Use the Eraser tool to remove specific strokes or click it twice to get the option to erase all ink.

Use the ruler or protractor tools and draw straight lines or arches.

Press the ruler/protractor button again to hide the ruler/protractor

Reside or rotate the ruler/protractor by using two finger touch gestures (if the Touch Writing button is selected) or with the mouse wheel.

Use the crop tool to crop the annotated image.

To undo cropping, select the crop tool again and press Cancel to restore the image to its full original area.

Panning the view

Some of the images you annotate might be larger than the size of the Snip & Sketch window. You can use the scroll bars to pan the view, but you can also pan the view with touch input (if the Touch Writing button is not selected) or by dragging with your mouse button while holding the Ctrl key down.

Zoom in and out of screenshots to make them easier to mark up using the magnifying glass icon. You can also zoom in and out of screenshots by pressing the Ctrl key down and tapping the + or — buttons.

Sharing and saving snips

Snip & Sketch copies the annotated snip to your clipboard when you open it and every time you make edits. Snip & Sketch allows you to save the annotated image to a file, share it or open with another app, or print it on paper or to a pdf file.

Using keyboard in Snip & Sketch

While annotating is best done using a pen or mouse — Snip & Sketch provides a lot of keyboard shortcuts you can use. Access keys are activated if you press and hold the Alt key.

Все способы создания скриншота на Windows 10

Как сделать скриншот на операционной системе Windows 10? Сразу отметим, что мы не будем рассматривать способы где применяются сторонние программы, приложения и расширения. Создавать скриншоты будем исключительно силами самой операционной системы Windows.

Способ 1. Комбинация клавиш Win+PrtScr

Представим ситуацию, что нам нужно сделать скриншот абсолютно всего рабочего экрана. Чтобы это сделать, нам нужно выполнить комбинацию клавиш Win+PrtScr . После чего переходим в папку «Изображения> Снимки экрана «. Там мы видим скриншот экрана, который сделали только что. Другими словами, изображение не сохраняется в буфер обмена, а автоматически попадает в папку с именем » Снимки экрана «, что очень удобно.

Способ 2. Комбинация клавиш Alt+PrtScr

Теперь давайте представим ситуацию, что нам необходимо сделать скриншот не полного экрана, а его определенного окна. В таком случае, мы выполняем комбинацию из клавиш Alt+PrtScr . После чего, снимок не сохраняется, он попадает в буфер обмена. Из этого самого буфера обмена, при помощи комбинации клавиш Ctrl+V мы уже можем вставлять наш скриншот куда угодно, например в Paint, Photoshop или любую другую графическую программу.

Способ 3. Комбинация клавиш Win+Shift+S

Самый функциональный способ создания скриншотов на Windows 10. На деле, он не только заменяет предыдущие два способа, но и дополняет их. Вам нужно запомнить всего лишь комбинацию клавиш Win+Shift+S . При нажатии этой комбинации у нас есть четыре варианта:

• Можно создать скриншот всей области, как мы уже делали в способе 1 .
• Скриншот активного окна, как в способе 2 .
• Можем сделать скриншот прямоугольника без привязки к окну.
• А так же скриншот произвольной области.

Изображения из этого способа нигде не сохраняются и попадают в буфер обмена, так же как в способе 2.

Способ 4. Ножницы

Находим в пуске приложение » Ножницы » , либо пишем название в поиске Windows и запускаем.

Windows 10 Tip: How to Take a Screenshot Using Keyboard Shortcuts

In previous versions of Windows, you can take a screenshot by using the PrtScn key. This option still works in Windows 10 which will take a shot of everything on the screen, copy it to the Clipboard, and then allow you to paste it into a program such as Microsoft Word.

However, if you have a multiple monitor setup it can be annoying when you just need a specific window or section of your screen.

Windows 10 Screenshot Keyboard Shortcuts

If you don’t care to install third-party software, here’s a look at some different keyboard shortcuts for taking shots in Windows 10 to achieve the results you need.

• Windows Key + PrtScn: Windows 10 will take a screenshot and save it as a PNG file in the default Pictures folder in File Explorer.
• Alt + PrtScn: This is a great option if you just want to take a shot of an individual window on your screen.

Windows Key + Volume down: This one is meant for tablets running Windows 10 such as the Microsoft Surface.

Other Shortcuts to Try

If you can’t get the ones above to work, some laptops and other devices require a modified key combo. For instance, Windows Key + Ctrl + PrtScn is one. Also, Windows Key + Fn + PrtScn is another one that’s required on some devices. Check the manufacturer’s website or manual to find out which one to use.

The Snipping Tool

While this isn’t a keyboard shortcut, you might want to take a shot of a specific region of your screen. To do that, enter the Snipping Tool (an often-forgotten tool included since Vista and Windows 7).

To access it, hit the Windows Key and type: snipping tool and select the results from the top. Then select New from the menu and drag the cursor over the area of the screen you want to capture. The captured screenshot will appear in the full Snipping Tool program. It has basic editing tools and is a good option for a quick shot if you need one.

If you need to take screenshots on your Windows 10 system and don’t want to install third-party software for the job, the built-in tools will get the job done.

Be sure to check out our complete list of Windows 10 Keyboard Shortcuts. You might be surprise but the list continues to grow, even in 2019.

How to screenshot on Windows (9 ways)

Do you use Windows, and you need to take a screenshot quickly? Do you have trouble with finding the Print Screen key, or it’s not working, so you’re looking for a new Print Screen shortcut? Do you want to know how to take a screenshot of the active window instead of the whole screen? Wouldn’t you like to learn how to take a screenshot on a PC while playing a game, to get proof of your achievements? On the internet, there are numerous Windows screenshot apps, both paid and free. Still, before looking for such third-party apps, make sure that you’re familiar with the whole range of screenshot options already available in Windows. Without further ado, here’s how to screenshot on Windows:

Quick Steps:

1. To take a screenshot on a PC, press the Print Screen button or Fn + Print Screen. Windows creates a screenshot of the whole screen and saves it to the clipboard.
2. Press Win + Print Screen or Fn + Windows + Print Screen on your keyboard. Windows saves the resulting image in a folder called Screenshots.
3. Press Alt + Print Screen or Fn + Alt + Print Screen on your keyboard to capture the active window, and save it to the clipboard.

1. How to screenshot on Windows: Press the Print Screen key

The first method is also the most popular, as it’s been around for a very long time since the earliest versions of Windows. To take a screenshot on a PC, press the Print Screen button on your keyboard. Alternatively, you can also use the CTRL + Print Screen screenshot shortcut.

The Print Screen button on a computer keyboard

Windows creates a screenshot of the whole screen and saves it to the clipboard. Next, open an image editing program like Paint and paste the picture from the clipboard. You can now save it as a file and do basic editing.

Screenshot of the whole screen, pasted in Paint

Using the Print Screen key for taking screenshots works in both Windows 10 and Windows 7.

2. How to take a screenshot on Windows 10: Press the Win + Print Screen keys

Do you want to take a screenshot of the whole screen and automatically save it as an image on your PC? You can do that using a simple Print Screen shortcut without having to resort to any other tools. To take a fullscreen screenshot on Windows 10, simultaneously press Win + Print Screen on your keyboard.

Using Windows + Print Screen to take a screenshot on Windows 10

When you screenshot on Windows 10 using this method, the operating system saves the resulting image in a folder called Screenshots, found in your user’s Pictures folder. The usual path for your Windows 10 screenshots should look like this: C:\Users\Your User Name\Pictures\Screenshots. The files are named Screenshot (number).png, where the number varies based on how many screenshots you have previously taken. If you want to know more about the location of your screenshots, read: Where are screenshots saved? Change their location in Windows 10 .

Screenshots are saved by Windows in your Pictures folder

In Windows 10, you can also see your screenshots using the Photos app by going to “Folders -> Pictures -> Screenshots.”

Screenshots viewed in the Photos app from Windows 10

Besides creating a screenshot file, Windows 10 also places a copy of the screenshot in the clipboard.

3. How to take a screenshot in Windows 7 or Windows 10: Press Alt + Print Screen to capture the active window

Whether you use Windows 10 or Windows 7, you can also take a screenshot of just the active window instead of your whole screen. Open the window that you want to capture and press the Alt + Print Screen keys on your keyboard. The operating system saves the screenshot in the clipboard. Open Paint or any other photo editing app and paste the image so that you can edit and save it to your Windows computer or device.

Screenshot of an active window in Paint

4. How to screenshot on a laptop or tablet (Dell, Surface, and others)

The previous methods should work perfectly well on desktop computers running Windows and on standard keyboards. However, some unique situations can occur. If you have a Dell laptop, for example, a tablet, or any PC with a keyboard that includes an Fn key, then the Print Screen key might do other things, too, besides taking screenshots. Therefore, when you press a screenshot shortcut that includes the Print Screen button, Windows might not capture your screen. So, instead, use one of the Print Screen shortcuts:

• Fn + Print Screen – takes a screenshot of the whole screen and copies it to the clipboard. It is the equivalent of pressing the standard Print Screen key.
• Fn + Windows + Print Screen – captures a screenshot of the whole screen and saves it as a file on the hard drive without using any other tools. Windows stores the screenshot in the Screenshots subfolder of your Pictures folder. It is the same as pressing Windows + Print Screen on a standard keyboard.
• Fn + Alt + Print Screen – takes a screenshot of the active window. It is the equivalent of pressing Alt + Print Screen on a standard keyboard.

Keyboard shortcuts for screen capture on keyboards with the Fn key

On some keyboards, the Print Screen button might not perform two or more actions. However, it will not work until you press the Fn lock key. The Fn key works on such keyboards as a lock for the function and multimedia keys on the top, including the Print Screen key.

If you have such a keyboard, press the Fn key to unlock the top row of keys, and then use one of the screenshot shortcuts we described in this guide’s first chapters. They should work now.

Fn (Function) key on a keyboard

On some Microsoft Surface tablets, you need to use different screenshot shortcuts because some Type Cover models don’t include a Print Screen button. Instead, Microsoft offers the following Surface specific shortcuts for Windows 10:

• Fn + Spacebar – this shortcut saves an image of your current screen to the clipboard so that you can paste it into any application. It is the equivalent of pressing the standard Print Screen key.
• Fn + Alt + Spacebar – this shortcut saves a screenshot of the active window to the clipboard so that you can paste it into any application. It is the equivalent of pressing the Alt + Print Screen keyboard shortcut.

Keyboard shortcut for taking a screenshot on a Surface Type Cover (1)

5. How to take a screenshot on Windows 10 using the Windows + Shift + S keyboard shortcut

If you use Windows 10, simultaneously press Windows + Shift + S to capture a region of your screen and copy it to your clipboard. When you use this screenshot shortcut, Windows 10 dims your screen and shows a crosshair cursor. Press the left mouse button and drag the cursor to mark the area to capture. Then, release the mouse button. If you have a touchscreen, draw the area you want to screenshot using your finger (or pen).

Screenshot of a region in Windows 10

Windows 10 saves the screenshot in the clipboard. Open Paint, or any other photo editing app you prefer, to paste the screenshot, edit, and save it. This feature was originally part of OneNote, but later, Microsoft decided to integrate it directly to Windows 10, which is excellent.

6. How to take a screenshot on Windows 10 using the Snip & Sketch app

Starting with the October 2018 Update, Windows 10 includes Snip & Sketch, an app that you can use to take screenshots and modify (sketch) the ones you took. In a previous tutorial, we’ve already covered all the details on working with Snip & Sketch. In a few words, to screenshot on Windows 10, in Snip & Sketch, press the New button or use the Ctrl + N keyboard shortcut.

Start a screenshot in Snip & Sketch from Windows 10

Then, choose one of the four options to take a screenshot: rectangular, free-form, window, or fullscreen.

Screenshot options offered by Snip & Sketch in Windows 10

Once you’ve taken the screenshot, Snip & Sketch opens an editing window ready to process the screenshot further.

Editing a screenshot in Snip & Sketch on Windows 10

You can then change the screenshot as you want.

7. How to take a screenshot on a PC using the Snipping Tool

The Snipping Tool is a great desktop app for taking screenshots. It can create all kinds of screenshots, and you can also use it to do some light editing. Read this tutorial we published a while ago to learn everything about Snipping Tool and how to take screenshots with it in Windows 10 and Windows 7.

Taking a screenshot with Snipping Tool in Windows

NOTE: Microsoft scheduled the Snipping Tool for removal from Windows 10, as its purpose is now also fulfilled by the Snip & Sketch app.

8. How to take a screenshot on a Microsoft Surface tablet (or other tablets)

On some Windows 10 tablets, including certain models of Microsoft Surface, HP Envy, or Lenovo tablets, it can be hard to guess how to take a screenshot. If you use your tablet without a keyboard attached, then the Print Screen key is also unavailable. The best solution to screenshot on Windows 10, in this case, is to use the hardware buttons available on your tablet. You can take fullscreen screenshots on many types of Windows 10 tablets by pressing the Windows logo button and the Volume Down key simultaneously.

Take screenshots on a Windows tablet without a keyboard

When using this Print Screen shortcut, the screen gets darker for a moment, signaling that Windows took a screenshot. You can then find that screenshot in your Pictures folder, in the Screenshots subfolder.

9. How to screenshot on Windows 10 using Windows + Alt + Print Screen (Xbox Game Bar)

In Windows 10, you can also use the Xbox Game Bar for taking screenshots of the active window. Although it’s a feature designed for you to use while playing games, you can also benefit from it when you’re not playing. To capture the active window, which can be a game or not, press the Windows + Alt + Print Screen keys.

Taking a screenshot with Win + Alt + Print Screen in Windows 10

When you do that, Windows 10 automatically creates and saves a screenshot on your PC in the Captures subfolder found in your default Videos user folder. The screenshot’s file name includes the name of the game or app in which you took it, its date, and time.

Screenshots taken with Xbox Game Bar have unique names

NOTE: Instead of using the Windows + Alt + Print Screen shortcut, you can also bring up the Xbox Game Bar by pressing Windows + G, and then click or tap the “Take screenshot” button highlighted below.

The Take screenshot button from Windows 10’s Xbox Game Bar

What’s your favorite method of taking screenshots in Windows?

As you can see, there are many ways to shoot a screenshot in Windows. Unless you have complex needs, you can use the built-in tools and features without installing third-party apps for grabbing captures of your screen or apps. Before closing this tutorial, tell us: How do you screenshot on Windows?