How to do a screen capture

Submitted by Brockdin Barr on 25 Aug 2010

If you're using Windows (Windows Vista users see below)

Press the Print Screen key on your keyboard. It may be labeled [PrtScn].

  1. Open an image editing program, such as Microsoft Paint. (Program Files > Accessories)
  2. Go to the Edit menu and choose Paste.
  3. If prompted to enlarge the image, choose Yes. Optional: Use your image editor's crop tool to crop out unnecessary portions of the screen shot.
  4. Go to the File Menu and choose Save As.
  5. Navigate to the folder where you want to save the image.
  6. Type a file name for the image.
  7. Select a file type, usually .gif
  8. Click the Save button.

Tips:

  1. Hold the Alt key down while pressing Print Screen to capture only the active window.
  2. The Windows "clipboard" is a term used to describe the temporary storage space in memory where an item is placed when you copy or cut.
  3. You can't manipulate the clipboard directly; it's only used for copy and paste operations. If you have windows Vista, you can capture screen shots much more easily using the Snipping Tool included with Vista.

Capture screen shots using the Snipping Tool included with Vista:

  1. Click on the Start Menu and start typing "snipping" into the search box.
  2. Snipping Tool should show up in the Programs list above the search box, and you can click on it to start it.
  3. The Snipping Tool window will appear on your screen. You may move it to an edge of the screen so it's not in your way, but it will also disappear when you start dragging a selection area.
  4. The Snipping Tool assumes you want to create a new clipping as soon as you open it. Your screen will dim, and you can click and drag your cursor to select an area to copy. As you drag, the selected area will be darker, and surrounded by a red border if you've never changed the Snipping Tool options.
  5. When you release the mouse button, the captured area will open in the Snipping Tool window. If you're not happy with the selection and need to try again, click the "New" button.
  6. When you are happy with your clipping, press the second button to save the screen shot as an image file. See the tips below for file format suggestions.