A screenshot has become a popular feature among users. Taking a screenshot on mobile may seem to be super convenient but Windows devices such as laptops and PC are not far behind. You can easily perform a “Screen Grab” in Windows using simple steps. 

Screenshots are basically an image of the screen. Microsoft provides a built-in option to take a screenshot or a ScreenGrab. With the Print Screen key, you can easily capture and paste a ScreenGrab from the screen.

Furthermore, there are several other third-party applications other than Print Screen that make it easier to get a screenshot. So, we have listed down different programs for you on how to take a screenshot on Windows 10.

How to Take a Screenshot On a PC by 4 Easy Method

There are many programs in Windows that can take screenshots effectively. Some of the applications are built-in. Here’s a full guide on how to take a screenshot on Windows 10 and also save it for further use.

1. Use Print Screen Key

This is a built-in function on Windows and you can find the Print Screen key on the keyboard itself. It may be also labeled as “PrtScn”, “PrntScrn” depending on the keyboard manufacturer.

It allows users to take a ScreenGrab of any Windows and later save it as a file. You have an option, choose either to save the file or not. Also, you can screenshot a portion of the screen or the entire screen.

How to Save the Screengrab as a File?

To take a screenshot just press the Print Screen key. Although you may feel nothing has changed, the screenshot is saved in the clipboard. Later, you can paste it or save it on your PC.

Also, if you want to take and save the screenshot simultaneously then press the Windows key + PrtScn. In some devices, you may need to press Windows key + Ctrl + PrtScn. If you are using a laptop then press the Windows key + Function key + PrtScn to take a screenshot and save it in the default folder.

You can access the screenshot from the Pictures folder and use them later. The screenshot will be automatically labeled and arranged in the order of taking it. 

How to Use a Screenshot Without Saving it?

If you don’t want the screenshots to take up any space then you can also use them without saving it. Just after pressing Print Screen, open any word processor or any image editor programs you want to use the picture in. 

Then simply paste the picture in there. You can edit or even save the picture in a document later on.

How to Screenshot a Part of the Screen on Windows 10? 

To screenshot a part of the screen performs the steps provided.

1. First, navigate to the window where you want to take the screengrab and press Windows key + Shift + S. A grayed screen will appear in and around the screen. 
2. Now, click and move the cursor to select the part that you want to screenshot.
3. Once you finalize the selection, copy the image by right-clicking or pressing Ctrl + C.
4. Then, paste the screenshot in any application that you want the image in.

This process only works in the latest update of Windows 10. In the older version, this shortcut key won’t work. So, to screenshot a part of the screen, use any third-party applications.

2. Snipping Tool

Since the release in Windows Vista, the snipping tool has been a part of Windows. There was no major update to the software, other than some general bug fixes over time. This tool is convenient in taking screenshots. 

It gives a user the option to take a screenshot of an entire window or of a rectangular area. It also has a free form option to select any form of area you want to.

Other than just taking a screenshot, you can also highlight any space in the screenshot using colored pens. The snipping tool saves your file in an MHTML format.

In Windows 10, a new ‘Delay’ option has been added to the Snipping Tool. It allows capturing screenshots that involve mouse movements like in the Pop-up menus and tooltips. To use the ‘Delay’ option in the Snipping Tool follow the steps provided.

1. First, open the Snipping Tool from the Start menu.
2. Then, click on the ‘Delay’ button beside the New option. Now, from the drop-down list, select the number of seconds you would like to wait before you take a screenshot.
3. Now, from the New option, choose the type of ScreenGrab you want. After that select the snipping screen with your cursor.

Before taking a screenshot, the snipping tool will wait depending on the time you set. You can use the time set to open up any pop-up or toolbar. This feature is added to the latest version of Windows 10. 

If you are using an older version of Windows, then you won’t find the Delay option in the Snipping Tool.

3. Use the Game bar

The latest version of Windows comes with game DVR capabilities. It helps in recording gameplay and take screenshots inside PC games. You can access the game bar easily by pressing Windows key + G. 

You can take a screenshot in PNG format and also can save it in the Windows default folder. But before you do so, you have to enable the Game bar from the Xbox app. To toggle the Game DVR option, follow the steps provided.

1. First, launch the Xbox app and open its settings.
2. In the settings menu, navigate to the toggle Game DVR option and enable it.
3. Although Win + G is the default key for the opening Game bar. Windows still give you the option to change it according to your preferences.

After you change the setting successfully, open the game bar inside a game and press the camera icon or “Win+ Alt + PrtScn” to successfully save a screenshot.

4. Try Snagit

If you are not satisfied with the functionality of the built-in tools in Windows then you can use third-party applications like Snagit. It provides more flexibility than any other tools listed above.

To use Snagit you have to buy it from the app store. Although it’s a premium app, it provides top-notch functionality in taking screenshots. 

There are tons of features in Snagit that let you target specific windows, also it is good for taking region snapshots. With Snagit, you can even capture full text of scrolling windows with ease.

Along with that, you can also make short videos, annotate screenshots and draw different shapes in the screenshot itself. It can do pretty much anything and it’s definitely one of the recommended applications that you can use if you deal with a lot of screenshots.

With the above-provided solutions, we hope that you were able to learn how to screenshot on Windows.