How Do You Take a Screenshot on a PC Using Microsoft Windows?

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To take a screenshot on a Microsoft Windows computer, decide whether you want to save the screenshot as an image or save it to your clipboard. Then, use the designated screenshot shortcut. An image appears in your screenshot folder if you chose to save the screenshot as an image file.

  1. Prepare the screen

    Before taking a screenshot on your computer, prepare your screen by ensuring that the correct applications or folders appear on the display.

  2. Take the screenshot

    To take the screenshot, press the Windows and the PrtScn key on your keyboard. The screen dims and an image file is automatically saved in your Screenshots folder. If you want to take a screenshot without saving it as an image, press only the PrtScn button. This saves the image to your clipboard, and you can paste the image in another location. Finally, if you want to take a screenshot of a single window, click on the window. Then, click the Alt button and the PrtScn to capture the window you are currently in.

  3. View your screenshot

    To retrieve the screenshot, open the Pictures folder on your computer. In the Pictures folder, double-click the Screenshots folder. Locate the most recent image file. Double-click the file to view the image.

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