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How to take a screenshot in Windows 10
June 30, 2025
You’re watching a funny YouTube video and you want to grab a snapshot for social media. Maybe you’re having issues with a program and you want to show someone exactly what’s on the screen. We show you how to take a screenshot in Windows 10.
Our guide provides several ways to take a screenshot ranging from the standard Print Screen key to utilizing Microsoft’s OneDrive platform. This guide is based on Windows 1809 (October 2018 Update).
Take a screenshot of everything on your Windows 10 screen and create a file
USB-based desktop keyboards typically provide a stand-alone Print Screen key near the Home and Delete keys. In contrast, laptop keyboards normally don’t have a stand-alone Print Screen key. Instead, manufacturers cram this function alongside another command on a single key due to the laptop’s restricted space.
For instance, our Alienware laptop has a key labeled both HOME and PRT SCRN. To use the Print Screen function and take a screenshot, we also press the Function (or FN) key. If we want to save a screenshot as a file, we must also press the Windows key at the same time for a three-key combo.
1.Press theWindows and Print Screenkeys simultaneously. The screen grows dim for several seconds. On laptops, you may need to press theWindows,Function, andPrint Screenkeys.2.Click theFolder iconon the taskbar. This opens File Explorer.
3.SelectPictureson the menu to the left or the folder icon towards the top.
4.Double-click theScreenshots folder.
5.ClickViewand selectDetailsin the drop-down menu.6.The Screenshot.png file you just created has the current date and time. You’ll also see a (#) in the name for multiple screenshots captured with the same name. TheDetailssetting is useful if you have more than a few screenshots saved in this folder.
Related:How to stream the Xbox One to Windows 10
Capture everything to the Clipboard
You may not want to create a file, but merely send a screenshot to the clipboard and paste it into an image editor, document, or some other application. This example highlights GIMP and Microsoft Word though typically you cantype Control + Vto paste the image into any Windows-based program.
1.Press thePrint Screenkey.2.Open yourimage editor.3.SelectEditfrom the toolbar.4.SelectPastein the drop-down menu. Alternatively, you can selectPaste as New Layer,Paste as New Layer In Place, orPaste as New Image. The wording may be different in your favorite image editor.
Microsoft Word
1.Press thePrint Screenkey.2. Right-clickwithin your document.3.UnderPaste Options, select theclipboard and paintbrushicon to paste the screenshot into your document while retaining its original format. Select theclipboard and pictureicon to paste the screenshot into your document without keeping the format.
Related:How to split your screen in Windows 10
Capture a single window for the Clipboard
1.Press theALTandPrint Screenkeys simultaneously.2. Paste the copied imageinto your favorite image editor, document editor, or another Windows-based application. Refer to the previous instructions highlighting GIMP and Microsoft Word.
Capture a defined area for the Clipboard
1.Press theWindows,Shift, andSkeys simultaneously.
2.A dark overlay appears statingDraw a shape to create a screen snip. Your mouse cursor becomes a white “+” icon.3.Create a capture area byholdingthe mouse buttonanddraggingthe “+” icon across the screen.4. Release the mouse buttonto complete the screenshot capture area. Windows 10 will then send that image to the Clipboard.
Related:How to use the Mail app in Windows 10 to access Gmail, iCloud, and more
Use OneDrive
The benefit here is that your screenshots reside in Microsoft’s cloud. If you set OneDrive to sync the screenshot folder to your PC, you’ll have local access to these shots versus accessing and downloading the files through a browser.
- Right-click on the cloud iconparked next to the system clock on the taskbar.2.SelectSettingsin the pop-up menu.
3.Select theBackuptab.4.Select theAutomatically save screenshots I capture to OneDriveoption underScreenshots.5a.Press thePrint Screenkey to take afull screenshotOR-5b.Press theALTandPrint Screenkeys simultaneously to capture thecurrent active windowOR-5c.Press theWindows,SHIFT, andSkeys simultaneously to create aspecific screen capture window.
6.Click theFoldericon on the taskbar to openFile Explorer.
7.Click theOneDrive listingon the left.8.Double-click theScreenshots folderon the right.9.Locateyour captured screenshot here.
Related:How to change the screen resolution in Windows 10
Use Microsoft’s Game Bar
Sure, this tool targets gamers, but you can actually use Game Bar to take a screenshot ofanythingon your Windows 10 screen.
1.ClickStartfollowed by the“gear” iconlisted on the Start Menu. This opens the Settings app.
2.SelectGaming.
3.Toggle on theRecord game clips, screenshots, and broadcast using Game barsetting.4.This is your default screenshot keyboard shortcut:
Windows + ALT + Print Screen
Create a new key combination if needed.
5.SelectCaptureson the left.6.This is your default screenshot and video capture folder:
C:\Users[your user name]\Videos\Captures
you’re able to relocate this folder anywhere on your PC. Windows 10 will continue to throw captured media into the folder no matter where it resides.7. Use the Game Bar keyboard shortcut(default or custom) to capture the desktop.8.SelectYes, this is a game(even if it’s not).9.Find your screenshot in theCapturesfolder.
Use the Snip & Sketch tool
1.ClickStart.2.Click theSnip & Sketchshortcut on theStart Menu.3.Click theNewbutton.4.The screen dims with a four-button toolbar located at the top. SelectRectangular Clip,Freeform Clip, orFullscreen Clip.
5.As an option, click thearrow down iconto take a screenshotnow, grab a screenshot inthree seconds, or grab a screenshot inten seconds. The screen will not fade and display the toolbar until the timer ends.6. Editthe screenshot as needed.7.Click the floppy disk option tosave the fileat any location on your PC.
Use the Snipping Tool
Microsoft is phasing out this long-time tool in favor of the Snip & Sketch app, but it’s still available in Windows 10 1809.
1.TypeSnipin Cortana’s search field on the taskbar.2. Select the Snipping Toolin the search results.
3.ClickModeand select a screenshot type, as shown above.
4.ClickDelayif you want the tool to delay its screen grab between one and five seconds.5.Click theNewbutton. The screen will dim white.6.Depending on your mode, create a rectangle or shape, or select the current window. The Snipping Tool automatically grabs a screenshot if you select the Full-screen mode.7. Edit and save your file.
That concludes our guide on how to take a screenshot in Windows 10. For additional tips and tricks, check out these guides:
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