How To Take a Screenshot
In today's digital world, screenshots are essential. Whether you need to save important information, share a website glitch, or share instructions, knowing how to take a screenshot is valuable.
This guide will walk you through the various methods for capturing your screen on all your devices, from computers and laptops to smartphones and tablets. We'll make sure you can grab any on-screen content with ease!
In this article, we will discuss:
What Is a Screenshot
A screenshot shows what is currently visible on a computer or phone screen. It's like taking a picture of your screen to save or share what you see.
Screenshots are used for a variety of purposes, including:
- Sharing information. Quickly share what's on your screen with others, such as a conversation or error message.
- Instructional guides. Create step-by-step guides or tutorials showing exactly what users should see.
- Record keeping. Save records of digital receipts, booking confirmations, or online forms.
- Problem reporting. Capture errors or software bugs to get help from tech support.
- Design feedback. Share designs or edits and gather feedback from team members or clients.
How to Take a Screenshot
Select an option below to view the instructions on how to take a screenshot using the following devices:
How to Screenshot on Android
Press the Power button and the Volume Down button altogether. Then, check the screenshot in the pictures/photo folder, screenshots folder, or storage area.
How to Screenshot on Chrome OS
Hold the Ctrl key down while pressing the Switch Window key (found between the button to lessen brightness and the full-screen key). See the saved image in your Downloads folder.
How to Screenshot on iOS
For iPhone X or later and iPad models with Face ID:
Press the Side Button and the Volume Up button simultaneously. Release both buttons quickly. After the screenshot is taken, a thumbnail temporarily appears in the lower-left corner of your screen. You can tap the thumbnail to edit the screenshot or swipe left to dismiss it.
For iPhone 8 or earlier, iPad models with a Home button, and iPod Touch:
Press the Top or Side Button and the Home button simultaneously. Release both buttons quickly. A thumbnail of the screenshot appears temporarily in the lower-left corner. Tap it to make edits or swipe left to dismiss it.
After taking a screenshot, you can find it in the Photos app under the Screenshots album. You can edit, share, or delete your screenshots from there.
How to Screenshot on macOS
Press Shift, Command, and 3 at the same time. It will then save the image to your desktop.
How to Screenshot on Microsoft's Surface
Press the Fn key, spacebar, and Windows key simultaneously.
How to Screenshot on Windows 7 or 8
Press the key for Print Screen, which is marked as PrtSc, PrtScn, or Print.
Note that this will not automatically save a copy on your device but copies it into the clipboard instead. You can then paste the copy by clicking Ctrl+V into any graphics editor or image field. From there, you can save a copy of the screenshot.
You can also use the Snipping Tool to select a specific area of your screen to capture. It offers more flexibility and features compared to basic screenshot methods.
Open the tool from the Start menu by searching for Snipping Tool. From the Mode menu, choose the type of snip you want, such as rectangular or free-form. Click New, then click and drag your mouse over the area of the screen you want to capture and release to take the screenshot.
How to Screenshot on Windows 8.1 or 10
With the updates made to Windows, you can still follow the instructions mentioned above, but a quick and easy way is to hold the Windows key down while pressing Print Screen (PrtScn) and then search for the images in the Pictures folder and then go to the Screenshots folder.
Snipping Tool is also available for Windows 8.1 or 10. To create a snip, open the application and press New. You can also press Window + Shift + S.
Review
With the knowledge you've gained from this guide, taking screenshots on any device is now a breeze! Whether you need to capture website glitches for troubleshooting, preserve important information, or share visual instructions, you're well-equipped to handle the task. Remember, screenshots are a powerful tool in today's digital world, and knowing how to use them effectively can save you time and frustration.
Bonus Tip: While this guide covers the basic methods on how to take a screenshot, many devices and operating systems offer additional screenshot functionalities. Explore your device's settings or search online for more advanced options on how to screenshot, such as capturing you screen's specific areas or adding annotations to your screenshots.