A screenshot is an easy yet convenient operation that enables us to capture exactly what is shown on the screen. 

An image is worth a thousand words, and as far as screenshots are concerned, they bear witness of this age-old saying! A screenshot, on the other hand is known as screencap or screengrab, is the game changer in this modern technology. At times, it’s a bit challenging to believe the ability to capture anything you can find on the display can come in handy. And with a bit of reminder, you will get to know how powerful the operation is!

A screenshot can prove to be highly useful during a video call when you find some informal details, or when you want to show some pictures to your friends or colleagues. Screenshots can be saved for future use. This unique feature-screenshot acts as a testimony that proves that you are seeing what you’re saying.

Well, that’s not all! One can also use a screenshot to get the past. Let’s say Instagram’s logo 15 years ago and how it was modified over the time to what it is nowadays. 

From sharing crispy gossips to Infographics, a screenshot can help to preserve everything. Moreover, it comes in handy while expressing something that would be difficult to explain in words. 

For instance, if you are crafting a tutorial for your site, it would be simple and convenient to capture step by step screenshots rather than jotting down everything.

So, a screenshot acts as a very useful resource for professional as well as personal use.

The common method of capture screenshots: print screen key

Well, this method can be used on any version of Windows including both 95 and XP.

Standard keyboards always involve a dedicated key to take screenshots. The print screen key says “PrtSc,” “Print Screen,”or “PrtScn,” depending on the country and keyboard. It is usually located in the top right corner beside the final F12 key.

Keep in mind: On the latest variant of keyboards, especially on laptops, one is required to hold down the “Function” or “Fn” or key while tapping the “PrtSc” to capture the screen.

When you are utilizing this method, the Operating System copies the whole screen automatically to the clipboard. And from there, one can easily paste it into any social media platform, email. One can even edit the picture on different photo editing software like MS point, Photoshop.

Note: One significant drawback of using this method is that it captures the whole screen automatically, including the tab bar and the toolbar of your screen. While consider manual cropping, it leads to inconsistent screenshot sizes.

Save & Share the screenshot in a laptop 

One of the most simple and convenient approaches to save a screenshot taken with the print screen key is to paste it into the photo editing software of preference. For instance, one can use Microsoft Paint, which is absolutely free with every relevant version of Windows.

Simply invoke Paint & press Ctrl + V in order to paste the snapshot . One can also right-tap & choose Paste from the dropdown menu.

Here, one can edit the file according to their preferences before saving it (Ctrl + S) in the image format you like.

If you are using Windows 10 variants, you can also opt for the Paint 3D. However if you want to opt for a more powerful image editor, we suggest a specialized tool.

This is also possible when you use Windows 10, you can make use of Paint 3D. However if you want to use a more powerful image editor, we suggest a specialized tool.

It’s also simple and convenient to paste the snapshot directly into a social media message or an email.

It’s one of the quickest approaches to share what’s on your display screen without diving on a call. Simply hit the print screen key, paste it in, choose the option Send, & simply it’s on its way.

And if you want more control over your screenshots, such as capturing a tab, one can utilize the built-in Windows “Snipping Tool” or any other third-party software or apps.

Such way, you won’t need to crop away the toolbar or relevant elements manually.

Screenshots in laptop  Windows 10, 7, 8, with the Snipping Tool

Every current version of Windows, including 7, 8, and 10, incorporate the Snipping Tool. One can easily invoke it by looking for it in the toolbar search.

Hit the Windows key to invoke the toolbar & jump to Windows search. On the other hand, one can also utilize the Windows + S shortcut in order to summon Windows search. But, note that in Windows 7, one must manually choose the search field before typing out the keyword. Just type in “Snipping Tool” & hit the option Enter.

Note: There is not any keyboard shortcut to invoke the Snipping Tool. It would always be amazing if you did that on a manual basis. In Windows 10, the latest version of this application can be invoked with a shortcut.

Choosing the Enter key after typing the right phrase will invoke the program automatically.

It has several modes, including free-form screenshots, however, the basic form is a rectangular snapshot shape. However at least it offers you more convenience and flexibility than just hitting the print screen key.

When you start the “Snipping” by hitting the “New” button, the entire screen goes gray. One can then choose the area they want to capture &  save.

One can now edit the snapshot with the highlighter, pen, & eraser tools. It also provides some unique options when compared to copying & pasting something into Paint, like the Delay mode for taking delayed (timed) snapshots. One can also highlight a certain part in the screenshot & email it from the Snipping Tool.

And when it’s open, you can also use many shortcut keys to work in a more efficient manner!

Take Windows 10 Screenshots with Snip & Sketch Tool

In Windows 10, one also can have access to the new & more improved Snip & Sketch application.

One can invoke it in the similar way by using the built-in shortcut or searching the menu: Shift + Windows + S.

That will automatically invoke the app menu for taking a screen snip. Plus, here, one can have the privilege to choose from window, full-screen,  free-form, or rectangle options for your screenshot .

With the window snip, it does not capture the active window. One can switch tabs with Alt + Tab & then choose the specific window you desire to capture.

Compared to the real  version, there has been certain changes:

• Screenshots save to the dashboard (including all the necessary  changes you make, such as annotations and highlights).
• Add outlines to snips—useful for partial screenshots.
• Share the screenshot through Bluetooth or WiFi.
• Modify  the settings, so the PrtScn button invokes Snip & Sketch.
• One can no longer set a delay for the screenshot to happen later.

By default, PNG format files saved by Windows snapshotting software are unnecessarily lengthy. When you’ve taken & edited these snapshots, one should be sure to optimize the pictures for the web.

In case of further features, like more strong editing, full-page website captures, or automatic web optimization, you will require to use a third-party as well!

Screenshot Entire WebPages and  Tab in  Google Chrome

Google Chrome does not come with built-in snapshotting functionality, however there are lots of useful, free extensions available.

Simply navigate to the Chrome Web Store & look for “screenshot,” filter the result by extensions, & one will see for themselves . One can then select from dozens of extensions available for chrome to capture screenshots.

There are a number of options that can be pretty difficult to choose. Be sure to make an informed decision!

In Awesome Screenshot, one can even utilize a Ctrl + Shift + E shortcut or invoke the menu to do this.

Screenshot in Microsoft Edge 

The best thing about Microsoft Edge is that the most latest variant has a by default snapshotting.

One does not need to install any extra plugins. Simply initiate the browser, & begin taking screenshots. Just utilize the shortcut Ctrl + Shift + S in order to invoke the “Web Capture” overlay.

One can then select between free selection or capture the entire page.

The full-page capture does not rely on different partial snapshots & scrolling. Therefore, a floating bar won’t ruin the snapshot.

When you have captured the page, you will be able to use the available draw & erase tools to highlight the things on the page or make annotations.

Screenshot a Game (or Anything Else) with Xbox Game Bar

While considering Windows 10, the Xbox Game Bar is installed as well as active by default (even if you do not have an Xbox). Therefore, you can simply invoke it at any time by hitting the Windows key + G.

Although it was developed into Windows as a special feature to screenshot & record video games, it acts just as well for capturing websites, movies, or all the content of any other program.

After invoke the Xbox Game Bar, you can either tap the camera button that is located in the top-left corner or take a snapshot without invoking the menu by choosing the shortcut keys: Windows key + Alt + PrtScn

After invoking the Game bar, you will find all the recently captured snapshots by choosing the option “Show all captures” option.

Here, you can browse and share all recent screenshots on Twitter. There’s even a super basic “meme editor” that lets you add a big block text to the top and bottom.

The Xbox Game Bar saves files to the /user/videos/captures folder by default. Then best past is it has amazing features like it has the capability to uplift the screenshot upto 4K.

Ending notes

Whether you are working with any outdated variant of Windows 7, or the latest version of Windows 10 on an advanced surface laptop, you have a number of options available for taking screenshots.

You can always utilize the Windows tools like Snip & Sketch, built-in keyboard key shortcuts. On the other hand, you can also opt for any third-party application in Chrome. Plus, PowerPoint has a by default function for capturing screenshots & incorporating them in your presentation!