Learning how to make screenshot on pc is a fundamental skill, and the method you use depends on whether you want to capture the entire screen or just a window. This guide will walk you through every built-in method for Windows and macOS, plus some powerful third-party tools for more advanced needs. Whether you’re saving an error message, capturing a memorable moment in a video, or creating a tutorial, you’ll find the perfect technique here.
How To Make Screenshot On Pc
This section covers the universal keyboard shortcuts that work across almost all versions of Windows. These are the quickest ways to capture your screen without installing any extra software.
The Print Screen Key And Its Variations
The Print Screen key, often labeled PrtSc, PrtScn, or PrntScrn, is the cornerstone of screen capturing on Windows PCs. Its behavior can change slightly depending on what other keys you press with it. Here is a breakdown of the primary functions.
PrtScn (Print Screen)
Pressing the Print Screen key by itself captures an image of your entire desktop. It copies the screenshot to your clipboard, but does not save a file automatically. You must open an application like Paint, Microsoft Word, or an email client and paste (Ctrl+V) the image to view, edit, or save it.
Alt + Print Screen
This combination is a major time-saver. It captures only the currently active window, ignoring the rest of your desktop. For example, if you have a browser window open, pressing Alt + PrtScn will capture just that browser window. The image is copied to your clipboard for pasting elsewhere.
Windows Key + Print Screen
This is the shortcut for users who want an instant file. Pressing Windows + PrtScn captures your entire screen and immediately saves it as a PNG file. Your screen will dim briefly to confirm the capture. You can find the image in the Screenshots folder inside your Pictures library.
Using The Snipping Tool
The Snipping Tool offers more control than basic keyboard shortcuts. It allows for free-form, rectangular, window, and full-screen snips. It was updated in recent Windows versions and remains a core utility.
- Open the Snipping Tool by searching for it in the Start menu.
- Click “New” to start a capture. The screen will overlay.
- For a rectangular or free-form snip, click and drag your cursor around the area you want.
- For a window snip, hover over the window and click it.
- The captured image opens in the Snipping Tool editor, where you can annotate, highlight, or crop it before saving.
The Power Of Snip & Sketch (Snipping Tool Update)
Snip & Sketch, now integrated back into the Snipping Tool in Windows 11, provides modern screenshot features. The easiest way to launch it is with the keyboard shortcut Windows Key + Shift + S. This dims your screen and presents a toolbar at the top of your display with four options.
- Rectangular Snip: Drag to create a rectangle.
- Freeform Snip: Draw any shape with your mouse or touch.
- Window Snip: Click on any open window to capture it.
- Fullscreen Snip: Captures your entire monitor.
After you make a selection, a notification will appear. Clicking it opens the image in the Snipping Tool interface for editing and saving. Your screenshot is also temporarily copied to the clipboard.
Game Bar For Screenshots And Recording
The Xbox Game Bar is a overlay designed for gamers but useful for anyone. It can capture screenshots and record video of any application, not just games. To use it, first ensure it is enabled in Windows Settings under Gaming.
- Press Windows Key + G to open the Game Bar overlay.
- Click the camera icon or press Windows Key + Alt + PrtScn to take a screenshot.
- You can also record video clips by clicking the record button.
- All captures are saved to the Captures folder inside your Videos library.
How To Take Screenshots On A Mac
macOS has a highly refined and consistent system for screenshots, centered around a few key keyboard shortcuts that utilize the Command (Cmd) and Shift keys. All methods save a file directly to your desktop by default.
Basic Mac Screenshot Shortcuts
These are the three essential shortcuts that every Mac user should know. They produce a satisfying camera shutter sound and place a thumbnail in the corner of your screen for quick access.
Command + Shift + 3
This captures the entire screen of every monitor you have connected. If you have two monitors, it will create two separate image files, one for each display. The files are saved as PNGs on your desktop.
Command + Shift + 4
This turns your cursor into a crosshair for selecting a specific portion of the screen. Click and drag to draw a rectangle around the area you want to capture. To cancel, press the Escape (Esc) key before releasing the mouse button.
Command + Shift + 4, Then Spacebar
After pressing Command + Shift + 4, press the Spacebar. The crosshair will change to a camera icon. Hover this icon over any open window, menu, or the Dock, and it will highlight. Click to capture just that element with a clean, bordered look.
Using The Screenshot Toolbar (MacOS Mojave And Later)
For more control and options, use the Screenshot app. Launch it by pressing Command + Shift + 5. A compact toolbar appears at the bottom of your screen with buttons for capturing the entire screen, a selected window, or a selected portion. It also includes options for recording the screen. A key feature is the “Options” menu, which lets you change where screenshots are saved, set a timer, and choose to show or hide the mouse pointer.
Advanced Screenshot Techniques And Tools
When built-in tools aren’t enough, third-party software provides professional features like scrolling captures, advanced editing, and instant sharing. These tools are invaluable for power users, content creators, and technical support staff.
Third-Party Applications For Power Users
Dedicated screenshot applications offer functionality that operating systems often lack. Here are two of the most popular and capable options.
Lightshot
Lightshot is a free, lightweight tool for Windows and Mac. After installation, pressing PrtScn (or a custom key) lets you select an area and immediately access a simple editor. You can add arrows, text, and shapes. A unique feature is the ability to upload your screenshot to their server and get a short link for easy sharing.
Snagit
Snagit by TechSmith is a premium, professional-grade tool. It goes far beyond simple screenshots. Its standout feature is the ability to capture scrolling windows (like entire webpages) and create panoramic shots by stitching together multiple scrolls. It also includes a robust video screen recorder and a full-featured editor with a vast library of templates and effects.
Capturing Scrolling Webpages
Capturing an entire long webpage is a common challenge. While Snagit handles this perfectly, some browsers have built-in tools. In Microsoft Edge and Chrome, you can use the Developer Tools. Press F12, then press Ctrl + Shift + P, type “screenshot,” and select “Capture full size screenshot.” This will save a PNG image of the entire page content. Firefox has a similar built-in feature accessible by clicking the three-line menu and selecting “Take a Screenshot,” then choosing “Save full page.”
Editing, Saving, And Sharing Your Screenshots
Taking the screenshot is only half the process. Knowing how to edit, save in the right format, and share your images efficiently is equally important.
Basic Editing With Built-In Tools
Both Windows and Mac include basic editors. After taking a snip with the Snipping Tool, you can use the pen, highlighter, and eraser tools to annotate. On a Mac, after you take a screenshot, a thumbnail preview appears in the corner. Clicking on it opens the Markup editor, where you can add shapes, text, signatures, and use a loupe to magnify areas. For quick crops, most image viewers like Photos on Windows or Preview on Mac can handle the task.
Choosing The Right File Format
The format you save in affects file size and quality. PNG is the default for most screenshot tools because it uses lossless compression, preserving sharp text and solid colors perfectly. It’s ideal for screenshots with text, diagrams, or interface elements. JPEG uses lossy compression, which can make file sizes smaller but may introduce blurriness or artifacts around text. Use JPEG only for screenshots that are primarily photographs or complex images where small file size is critical.
Efficient Sharing Methods
If you need to send a screenshot to someone, avoid attaching large files to emails if possible. Instead, use cloud storage links or dedicated image hosting. You can drag and drop your screenshot file into services like Google Drive, OneDrive, or Dropbox and share a link. For quick, temporary sharing, you can paste a clipboard screenshot (taken with PrtScn) directly into many messaging apps like Discord, Slack, or Microsoft Teams. Some tools, like the updated Snipping Tool on Windows, have a “Copy” button that instantly prepares the image for pasting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where Do Screenshots Go On Windows 10 And 11?
Screenshots taken with Windows Key + PrtScn are automatically saved to the Screenshots folder inside your Pictures library. Screenshots taken with the Game Bar go to the Captures folder in your Videos library. Images copied only to the clipboard (using just PrtScn) do not save as a file until you paste them into a program and save them.
How Do I Take A Screenshot On A PC Without A Print Screen Key?
Many smaller laptops omit the PrtScn key. On these devices, you can use the Function (Fn) key combination, often Fn + a key like Insert or a dedicated screenshot key. The most universal alternative is to use Windows Key + Shift + S to open Snip & Sketch, or the on-screen keyboard accessible through Ease of Access settings.
Can I Take A Screenshot On A PC With A Timer?
Yes. On Windows, open the Snipping Tool and click the dropdown arrow next to “New.” Select a delay of 3, 5, or 10 seconds. On a Mac, press Command + Shift + 5 to open the Screenshot toolbar, click “Options,” and choose a timer delay of 5 or 10 seconds. This is useful for capturing tooltips or dropdown menus that disappear when you click.
How To Capture A Specific Area On Screen?
On Windows, press Windows Key + Shift + S for the rectangular snip mode. On a Mac, press Command + Shift + 4 to activate the crosshair selection tool. Both methods allow you to click and drag to capture exactly the rectangle you need.
What Is The Best Way To Screenshot A Whole Webpage?
The most reliable method is to use a dedicated tool like Snagit or a browser extension designed for full-page captures. Alternatively, you can use the built-in developer tools in Chrome, Edge, or Firefox as described in the “Advanced Techniques” section above. These methods ensure you capture the entire length of the page in one image.