Taking a screenshot on a computer depends on the operating system you're using. Here are the methods for the most common systems:
Windows
-
Using the Print Screen key:
- Fullscreen Screenshot: Press
PrtScn
. This copies the screenshot to your clipboard. You can then paste it into an application (e.g., Word, Paint) withCtrl + V
. - Active Window Screenshot: Press
Alt + PrtScn
. This captures only the currently active window and copies it to your clipboard. - Selected Area Screenshot: Press
Windows + Shift + S
. This opens the Snipping Tool, allowing you to select a specific area to capture. The screenshot is saved to your clipboard.
- Fullscreen Screenshot: Press
-
Using Snipping Tool:
- Search for "Snipping Tool" in the Start menu, open it, and choose the type of snip you want to make (freeform, rectangular, window, or full-screen).
-
Using Snip & Sketch:
- Press
Windows + Shift + S
, and select the area you want to capture. The screenshot will be copied to your clipboard, and a notification will appear, which you can click to annotate or save.
- Press
macOS
-
Using keyboard shortcuts:
- Fullscreen Screenshot: Press
Command + Shift + 3
. The screenshot is saved to your desktop. - Selected Area Screenshot: Press
Command + Shift + 4
. You can then click and drag to select the area you want to capture. The screenshot is saved to your desktop. - Window Screenshot: Press
Command + Shift + 4
, then press theSpacebar
. Click the window you want to capture. The screenshot is saved to your desktop.
- Fullscreen Screenshot: Press
-
Using Preview:
- Open the Preview application, go to
File > Take Screenshot
, and choose between "From Selection," "From Window," or "From Entire Screen."
- Open the Preview application, go to
Linux
-
Using keyboard shortcuts:
- Fullscreen Screenshot: Press
PrtScn
. This captures the entire screen and usually saves it to the Pictures folder. - Active Window Screenshot: Press
Alt + PrtScn
to capture the current window. - Selected Area Screenshot: Press
Shift + PrtScn
orCtrl + Shift + PrtScn
(varies by distribution) to select a specific area.
- Fullscreen Screenshot: Press
-
Using the screenshot tool:
- Most Linux distributions come with screenshot applications like
FlameShot
,Shutter
, orGnome Screenshot
, which you can find in your applications menu.
- Most Linux distributions come with screenshot applications like
Save and Edit Screenshots
After taking a screenshot, you can open it in an image editor (like Paint on Windows, Preview on macOS, or GIMP on Linux) to crop, annotate, or edit further before saving in your preferred format.
Feel free to ask if you have any other questions or need more specific instructions!