There’s a few different techniques for screenshotting on Windows, starting with the ubiquitous PrintScreen button. This button is usually found above the Insert, Home, and Page Up Button on your keyboard, but this depends on the type of keyboard you have and may not even be its own dedicated button on laptops. If you don’t have easy access to the PrintScreen key, don’t worry, read on.
With the PrintScreen Key
Using the PrintScreen key, a simple press will screenshot your entire workspace, taking a snap of everything you’re looking at, including things on other screens if you have multiple monitors or if you’re hooked up to a projector. Your screenshot is saved to your clipboard, so you can easily paste it into anything that you’ll need. I like to put it in Paint, so I can quickly review it and even crop pieces out that aren’t relevant to the screenshot. However, if you’re doing that – there are better options.
Alt + PrintScreen
Pressing ALT and the PrintScreen key (PrtScn on some keyboards) will allow you to quickly grab a screen capture of the current window. Note that this means the current window that has focus, the window that you’re currently using. You can avoid any mistakes by selecting focus with ALT + TAB, or just simply clicking on the window. You can paste it into whatever you need, Paint is my preference.
Snipping Tool
Third and my favorite way to quickly grab a screenshot is using the snipping tool. This tool comes with all installations of Windows 7 and above, and allows you to quickly select what you want in your screenshot. Simply click on "New", and once your cursor changes into a cross, you can click and drag to select what’s going to be included in your screenshot. Once you release your click, you’ll be able to review the screenshot and save it wherever you need it.
That’s it! Easy choices for screenshots in Windows 7 and 8.
