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How to take a screenshot in Windows

Raffi
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This article originally appeared in: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/take-screen-capture-print-screen#take-screen-capture-print-screen=windows-8

Sometimes it's simpler to show someone what's on your screen than it is to explain it. Windows lets you take a picture of the screen so you can save, print, or share what you see. This is referred to as taking a screen shot or screen capture.
 
You can take a screenshot and automatically save it as a file, take a screenshot without saving it as a file, or take a screenshot of only one window (instead of the whole screen).
 

To take a screenshot and save it as a file

  1. Press the Windows logo key

    +PrtScn. Or, if you're using a tablet, press the Windows logo button

    + the volume down button.
    The screen will dim for a moment when the screen is copied and saved as a file in the Screenshots folder (which is in your Pictures folder).


    The Screenshots folder

To take a screenshot (without saving it)

  1. Press PrtScn.

    A picture of the screen is copied and you can paste it wherever you'd like.

To take a screenshot of only one window

  1. Tap or click the window you want to capture.

  2. Press Alt+PrtScn.

    A picture of the window is copied and you can paste it wherever you'd like.

Notes

  • On some keyboards, PrtScn might appear as PrtSc or a similar abbreviation.
  • Certain laptops and other devices don't have a PrtScn key or might use a different key combination to take screenshots. Check the manual that came with your laptop or device for more info.
  • Another way to capture a picture of part of the screen is to use the Windows Snipping Tool. To learn more, see Use Snipping Tool to capture screen shots.

    If you have Dropbox installed, screenshots save to your Dropbox automatically when you press PrtScn or Alt + PrtScn.  Windows Key + PrtScn still saves to Libraries\Pictures\Screenshots.

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