Contenuti
Intro
Taking a screenshot on a PC means creating an image of what we see on the screen or what appears in a window on the desktop. Getting a screenshot allows us to receive an image of what we see, and is therefore a very useful operation for showing something we have seen to someone else or reminding us of something. Screenshots are often used to capture error screens and receive technical support, to “take a picture” of the code of a purchase made on the Internet or a receipt, and to get a picture of a few frames of a video.
Clearly not everyone knows how to generate a screen snapshot on a PC; after all, an instruction manual is not usually provided with the purchase of a computer. In addition, differences between different versions of operating systems often tend to generate many different methods, but these do not apply to all computers.
In any case, knowing how to take a screenshot from PC quickly is one of those skills that always comes in handy on many different occasions. This simple guide is for everyone to learn how to take a screenshot for those who own a computer with any operating system.
In this article, we will see how to do this on all the most widely used operating systems in the world, so Windows 10, Windows 11, the other versions of Windows and the Linux and macOS operating systems. Obviously given the difference between most PCs we will see more than one method for each OS.
How to create a screenshot on Windows 10
Let’s start with the Windows operating system, which is one of the most widely used operating systems in the world and is found on most computers around. Windows 10 is the penultimate version of the operating system developed by Microsoft, and in this section we will look at how to create a screen image on PCs using it.
Method 1, PrtSc and Stamp + image editor (e.g., Paint)
Creating a screenshot on Windows 10 with this method is really easy. First, clearly we will need to be on the window or screen we want to “photograph.” Then simply press the Print Screen (PrtSc) or Stamp key on the keyboard and the image will be immediately saved in memory. At this point, we will have to open an image editor, for example, the very famous Paint and paste the image we have obtained by using the right button and selecting paste or by using the key combination CTRL + V. After that it will be enough to save the image from Paint to get it.
Method 2, WIN + PrtSc / WIN + Stamp
If we want to get a screenshot and have Windows instantly save it as an image file, this method is the quickest and most painless. In this case, you have to press either of the Stamp or PrtSc keys simultaneously, axiomatically with the WIN key (the one with the stylized Windows logo) located in the lower left corner of the keyboard. On some PCs, in addition to the WIN key and Print Screen or Stamp we will also have to press the Ctrl key or the Fn key, two buttons found on virtually all European keyboards.
Usually, if the screen works, you will hear an audible notification, similar to a camera shot, and the brightness of the screen may change for a very short time, after which we will find the screen directly on the desktop or in the Photos folder.
Method 3, Using the Capture Tool program
Another very useful and easy method is to open the program called the Capture Tool. To find it, simply type “Capture Tool” into the Windows search bar. Once open, we can set the capture by clicking on Mode choosing one of the available options. To capture the full screen just click on Mode and then on Capture Full Screen, to capture a window, you will need to click on Mode, then on Capture Window and then on the window to be photographed. If we want to make a screen of a portion of the screen, we will simply choose rectangular capture or free screen capture mode and then draw the portion to be captured with the mouse.
Once the screen is taken, we will be provided with the image that we can save to our desktop or to a folder on our PC.
Method 4, Using the Capture and Annotate program
This method is very similar to the previous one, and is based on the program called Capture and Annotate. To find it, simply type “Capture and Annotate” into the Windows search bar. Once open, we can set up the capture by clicking New and then choosing one of the modes in the application. Among the modes present are: Rectangular capture, freehand figure capture, window capture, and screen capture. In the first two modes, after selecting them we will have to draw a figure on the screen that will be the portion of the screen to which we will take the screenshot. The remaining two modes will allow us to select a window by clicking on it or take a picture of the screen.
Once we run the screen, we will see the image in a new window from which we can save it to the desktop or one of the folders on our PC.
How to create a screenshot on Windows 11
Windows 11 is the new version of the operating system put out by Microsoft, and in this section we will look at some methods for taking screenshots.
Method 1, WIN + Shift + S
One of the easiest ways to take a screenshot on Windows 11 is to simultaneously press the keys WIN (the key with the stylized Windows logo), the Shift or Shift key (the one used for uppercase characters) and finally the S . Once the combination of these keys is pressed, a new tool developed by Microsoft for screenshots will open, allowing the user to decide to take a snapshot of the screen, with many modes and options, and then save it to a folder at will.
Method 2, WIN + Stamp / WIN + PrtSc
Somewhat like with Windows 10, you can save a screen instantly as an image file with this method. To do this, you must press along with either of the Stamp or PrtSc keys, also the WIN key (the one with the stylized Windows logo) located at the bottom left of the keyboard. On some PCs, in addition to the Win key and Print Screen or Stamp we will also have to press the Ctrl key or the Fn key, two buttons found on virtually all European keyboards.
Usually, if the screen is successful, we will hear a sound notification and the brightness of the screen may change for a very short time, after which we will find the screen directly on the desktop or in the Pictures folder.
Method 3, Using the Capture Tool program
The useful Capture Tool program can also be used on Windows 11. To find it, simply press the Windows button on the taskbar and type “Capture Tool” in the Windows search bar. Once open, we can set the capture by clicking on Mode and choosing one of the available options. To capture the full screen just click on Mode and then on Capture Full Screen, to capture a window, you will need to click on Mode, then on Capture Window and then on the window to be photographed. If we want to make a screen of a portion of the screen, we will simply choose rectangular capture or free screen capture mode and then draw the portion to be captured with the mouse.
Once the screen is taken, we will be provided with the image that we can save to our desktop or to a folder on our PC.
Method 4, Using the Capture and Annotate program
Like Capture Tool, Capture and Annotate is also present in Windows 11. To find it, all we need to do is type “Capture and Annotate” into the Windows search bar, or press the key combination WIN + Shift + S. Once open, we can set up the capture by clicking New and then choosing one of the modes in the application. Among the modes present are: Rectangular capture, freehand figure capture, window capture, and screen capture. In the first two modes, after selecting them we will have to draw the portion of the screen to which we will take the screenshot. The remaining two modes will allow us to select a window by clicking on it or to take the picture full screen.
Once we run the screen, we will see the image in a new window and can save it to one of the folders on our PC or to the desktop.
How to create a screenshot on older versions of Windows
Now that we have seen how to take a screenshot on the most recent and widely used versions of this operating system, let’s take a look at how to perform this task on earlier versions.
Create a screenshot on Windows 7, Vista, XP and earlier
On Windows 7, Vista, XP and earlier, usually only one method is used to create a screen snapshot. Alternatively, you can download from the Internet one of the software that can take screenshots on your PC.
Method 1, Stamp or Print Screen
The standard method of capturing the full screen on these versions of Windows is to press the Stamp or Print Screen (PrtSc) key on the keyboard. At this point, the image will be saved in memory as if we had used the copy button, then, we will have to paste it into any graphics software. Usually you use paint and the Paste function that you open with the right button, alternatively you can use the keyboard combination Ctrl+V and save it under various formats, using the File menu and choosing Save As.
Create a screenshot on Windows 7 and later
On Windows 7, 8, and 9, there are more ways to perform these operations than on previous versions.
Method 1, Stamp or Print Screen
On Windows versions 7 and above, you can capture the screen with the Stamp or Print Screen (PrtSc) key on the keyboard. Once either button is pressed, the image will be saved in memory as if we had used the copy button, then, we will have to paste it into any graphics software. Usually you use Paint and the Paste function that you open with the right button, alternatively you can use the keyboard combination Ctrl+V and save it under various formats, using the File menu and choosing Save As.
Method 2, WIN + Stamp or WIN + PrtSc, Alt + Stamp or Alt + Fn + Stamp
Another method consists of the key combination WIN + Stamp or Print Screen and allows you to save the image directly to the Pictures folder. If, on the other hand, we want to get a screenshot of an open window, we will have to use the key combination Alt + Stamp or Alt + Fn + Stamp to get a screenshot of the window in the foreground. Even with this method, the obtained screenshots are immediately stored in PNG format in the Images folder.
Method 3, Using the Capture Tool program
From Windows 7 onward, you can use our beloved Capture Tool program. To find it, we will have to type in the Windows search bar “Capture Tool” or search for it directly from the list of programs after clicking on Start. Once found and opened, we can set the capture by clicking on Mode and choosing one of the available options. To capture the full screen just click on Mode and then on Capture Full Screen, to capture a window, you will need to click on Mode, then on Capture Window and then on the window to be photographed. If we want to make a screen of a portion of the screen, we will simply choose rectangular capture or free screen capture mode and then draw the portion to be captured with the mouse. Once the screen is made, we will be provided with the image that we can save directly to the desktop or to a folder of our choice.
How to create a screenshot on macOS and Apple computers
Let us turn to another of the most widely used operating systems around the world, we are talking about macOS, an operating system used on computers created by Apple, a very famous U.S. company. macOS also has many different versions, but the methods for making screens are very similar for the newer versions.
How to create a screenshot on the latest versions of macOS
These methods allow us to create different types of screenshots on newer versions of Apple computers, but often work on older versions as well. These methods work on macOs Yosemite, El Capitan, Sierra, High Sierra, Mojave, Catalina, Big Sur, Monterey, and probably on upcoming versions, such as the new macOS Ventura.
Method 1, Cmd + Shift + 3, Cmd + Shift + 4 etc.
On macOS there are plenty of keyboard shortcuts for taking screenshots of the desktop without having to use programs; this method should work on almost any Apple computer. Usually these keyboard shortcuts use the Command key combination (the Cmd key, the one with the ⌘ symbol) + Shift + a keyboard number. Usually one uses Cmd + Shift + 3 to screen to the full screen and Cmd + Shift + 4 to draw a portion of the screen with the mouse and capture the chosen part of the screen, while to cancel the operation one can press Esc. The latter combination (Cmd + Shift + 4) can also be used to capture a window; to use it in this way, after pressing the keys simultaneously, we need to press the space bar and then click the window we want to capture or the dock with the apps to create the screen.
In addition to these two combinations, there are also Cmd + Shift + 5 and Cmd + Shift + 6. The first combination is used to open Apple’s Screenshot program (the equivalent of Windows’ Capture Tool), while the second is used to take a snapshot of what is happening on the Touch Bar. With these 4 combinations, once used, we will find the screenshots directly on our desk.
Method 2, Screen Snapshot
If we want to create a screenshot using a well-crafted screenshot program, we can then use Screen Snap shotor Snapshot, the macOS application created specifically for taking screenshots, and take snapshots of different types, with portions of the desktop or individual windows. This program also allows us to adjust some advanced parameters, such as the inclusion of the mouse pointer in the screen, the delay of taking the screenshot, and the folder in which to save the files.
To find it, we first open Launchpad by clicking on the space rocket icon found on the Dock bar that contains the apps. We now open the Other folder and click on the Screen Snapshot icon, recognizable by the logo with the macOS window and a camera lens. As we saw in the first method, we can also use the key combination Cmd + Shift + 5 to open this app directly. Another quick alternative is to search for “Snapshot” on the Spotlight search, which we can find in the upper right-hand corner of the desktop menu, with the figure of a small magnifying glass.
Once we open Snapshot or Screen Snapshot, we can display the app’s toolbar to capture a screenshot of the entire screen, a window, or a portion of the screen by drawing it. Now we only need to choose a capture mode, and click the Capture button to take the screenshot. In the modes that allow us to draw a figure we have to draw the portion of the screen we want to capture, clicking and holding the left mouse button to create the selection and then save the image with the release. This app also allows you to record video of what is happening on the screen and choose the output format, but this feature is only found on newer versions.
How to create a screenshot on older versions of macOS
We can create different types of screenshots even on older versions of Apple’s operating systems, such as those prior to 2015, by taking advantage of some simple methods. Some of these methods clearly work on newer versions as well.
Method 1, Cmd + Shift + 3, Cmd + Shift + 4 etc.
Even in outdated versions of macOs we can use some keyboard shortcuts to take screenshots of the desktop without having to use programs. Usually these keyboard shortcuts use the Command key combination (the Cmd key, the one with the ⌘ symbol) + Shift + a keyboard number. Typically, one uses Cmd + Shift + 3 to screen the entire screen and Cmd + Shift + 4 to screen a window or draw a portion of the screen with the mouse and capture the chosen part of the screen (to cancel the operation one can press Esc). The latter combination (Cmd + Shift + 4) can be used to capture a window by pressing, after simultaneous key presses, the space bar, and then clicking the window we want to capture.
Method 2, Screen Snapshot
In many of Apple’s operating systems, but not all, there is a well-made special program called Screen Snap shotor Snapshot, an app that allows us to take screenshots, and take snapshots of different types, with portions of the desktop or individual windows. This program also allows us to adjust some advanced parameters, such as the inclusion of the mouse pointer in the screen, the delay of taking the screenshot, and the folder in which to save the files.
To find this app and check whether it exists in an operating system, we first open Launchpad by clicking on the space rocket icon found on the Dock bar that contains apps. We now open the Other folder and click on the Screen Snapshot icon, recognizable by the logo with the macOS window and a camera lens. Another quick alternative is to search for “Snapshot” on the Spotlight search, which we can find in the upper right-hand corner of the desktop menu, with the figure of a small magnifying glass.
Once we open Snapshot or Screen Snapshot, we can display the app’s toolbar to capture a screenshot of the entire screen, a window, or a portion of the screen by drawing it. Now we only need to choose a capture mode, and click the Capture button to take the screenshot. In the modes that allow us to draw a figure we have to draw the portion of the screen we want to capture, clicking and holding the left mouse button to create the selection and then save the image with the release.
Method 3, Check combinations to take screenshots
In the absolute oldest versions of macOS, some commands may be different, and so may the keyboard combinations for making screen captures. A very simple way to check these combinations is to access the System Preferences. This app shows us a list of all the settings on our Apple computer and is usually located in the Dock, the bottom bar containing the list of main Apps. Once the program is open, we click on Keyboard, and then Keyboard Shortcuts. In this part of the settings we will be able to take a look at all the combinations on the keyboard. When we get to this point, we click on Screen shots (or screen captures) so that we can see the combinations with which you can create a screen snapshot.
Now that we can see the combinations with which you can take screenshots, we can also decide to change the controls, setting a combination to our liking. This option is certainly very useful and handy, as it allows us to customize the controls.
How to create a screenshot on Linux and the computers that use it
Let’s move on to the third most widely used operating system worldwide, we are talking about Linux, a family of free and open source Unix-like operating systems published by various distributions with the common feature of using the monolithic Linux kernel as their core. Many PCs from different manufacturers use this much-loved OS among programmers. As with most operating systems, this one has many different versions, so we will take care of showing how to take snapshots on most editions.
These methods allow us to create different types of screenshots on computers that use the latest versions of Linux as their primary or secondary operating system; they often work on earlier versions as well. These methods work on Ubuntu, Xubuntu, ZorinOS, Linux Mint, Peppermint Os, Pinguy OS, and probably on later and earlier versions.
Method 1, PrtSc and Stamp + image editor (e.g., Drawing)
This method is very similar to what we have seen for Windows. Creating a screenshot on Linux with this method is very simple. First, clearly we will need to be on the window or screen we want to “photograph.” Then simply press the Print Screen (PrtSc) or Stamp key on the keyboard and the image will be immediately saved in memory. At this point, we will need to open an image editor, usually computers running Linux use an image editor called Drawing. Opening this editor we can paste the image we got by using the right mouse button and selecting paste or by using the key combination CTRL + V. After that all we need to do is save the image from Drawing in a folder on our device.
Method 2, Alt + PrtSc or Stamp and Shift + PrtSc or Stamp
This second method allows us to use two more keyboard combinations to get a screenshot of a selected part of the screen or a window. The first combination, namely Alt + PrtSc or Stamp, allows us to create a snapshot of the active window. The created file will be immediately saved in the Images folder following the keystrokes. The second combination, Shift or Shift + PrtSc or Stamp, instead allows us to select a rectangle of screen and make it an image. After pressing the keys, we will need to hold down the left mouse button and drag it across the screen so as to select a portion of the screen, upon release, the screen will be immediately saved in the Images folder.
Method 3, Using the Screenshot or Screen Capture program
The third method of obtaining screenshots on Linux is also very quick and easy, as well as being present in the most widely used versions of this operating system. First we need to open the Start menu and search for the item Screen Capture or Screenshot, with the search bar. Once we find the program, we can start taking screenshots of the entire screen, a specific area, or a window. We can also set a delay of the screenshot capture so that it starts after a certain interval of seconds, choose whether or not the mouse pointer should appear on the image, and if we want we can also insert a frame.
Other methods for creating a screenshot
So far we have seen the methods present by default that allow you to create screen snapshots on each of the most commonly used operating systems. In this section we look at other methods for doing this, however, that can be used on all commercially available computers. Primarily there are two methods and both require the use of the Internet.
Method 1, Taking a screenshot online using a Web Browser
One of the methods that can be used on any PC connected to the network is to take a screenshot online, making use of special web pages. To accomplish this, you have to rely on appropriate third-party solutions, such as in the case of services called Screen Capture Online or Screenshot Online. There are a great many of these sites and they all have very similar names; to use them, all we have to do is log on to the official site of one of these sites and take a screenshot by taking advantage of the different options and modes present. In most cases we will be asked to provide permissions to the site to view our screen, to use them clearly we will have to provide permissions, otherwise they will not work.
Once we get a screenshot, we will have to click the download button to download the obtained image to our computer and save it to the desktop or a folder.
Method 2, Download and use a program that takes screenshots
Earlier, we saw how most versions of the world’s most widely used operating systems such as Windows, macOS and Linux almost always possess standard programs that make screen captures. Very often, however, users look for some different solution that offers more options and additional modes. In this case, it may be a very good idea to download a third-party software according to our needs.
There are many free downloadable programs that allow us to perform this task and customize the experience, in addition to those that make screen captures there are also programs that record video of the screen and capable of creating animated gifs with portions of the screen.
Among the most popular, free and widely used programs for creating screen snapshots on Windows are: Greenshot, Lightshot, ShareX, Xbox Game Bar and Pick Pick.
As for macOS, there are good alternatives such as: Monosnap, Cleanshot X, Skitch and Screenshot FX.
On Linux, on the other hand, among the best such programs are Flameshot, KDE Spectacle and Maim.
