Screen Shot Windows 10

Taking a screenshot on Windows 10 can be a bit frustrating. Granted, there are a few tricks you can use…

The Print Screen button is another easy way to take a screenshot in Windows 10. The Print Screen or PRT SC button on your keyboard gives you a quick way to take screenshots. There are a few different ways that you can use the Print Screen button to take a screenshot. Use the Print Screen Button to Capture Your Entire Screen. Windows 10 has given a lot of new features and millions of users are currently using this new OS. Taking a screenshot in Windows 10 remains the most useful feature as almost everyone of use needs it on daily basis. You will discover the many possibilities of taking screenshots in addition to snapping just the half or quarter of the screen. Make sure that you are in the right window for which you want to take the screenshot. Press Windows + PrtScr buttons together on your keyboard to record the screen. The screen will dim for a moment and save the output in your Picture library as a.png file. Open Windows Explorer Pictures Screenshots to view your screenshot file. Jul 26, 2019 How to Screenshot in Windows 10. This wikiHow teaches you different ways to take a full or partial screen capture on your Windows 10 PC. The simplest and most full-featured way to capture any part of your screen is to use Snip & Sketch.

For example, you can press the Print Screen key and the Windows key which will save a screenshot directly to your Pictures folder. That’s nice, but when it comes to how to edit and annotate a screenshot, you’re on your own. Your other option is the Windows 10 Snipping Tool which is simple but, sometimes, too basic.

There’s got to be more to PC screen capturing than that, right?

Right. Actually, there is such an abundance of Windows 10 screenshot tools that you can easily feel overwhelmed when you try to pick just one. To help you save time, we’ve rounded up the top 7 print screen software (free and easy).

And, if you’re too busy to read a top 7, you can watch our top 3 video below.

Contents

1. ScreenRec

Overview

If you’re looking for a way to take an instant screenshot on Windows , you’ll love ScreenRec. Besides being the easiest and fastest screenshot program on this list, ScreenRec is actually full-featured free screen capture software. This means that you can also use it to record your PC screen.

Why It’s Awesome

There is a single hotkey to remember (Alt + S) to either screengrab or record and you can add annotations to your screenshots with a few mouse clicks.

But what’s best about ScreenRec is the ability to share your screen captures instantly and securely (via private URL). As soon as you’re done taking a screenshot or recording your desktop, a sharing link is copied to your clipboard. You can paste it in an email, a private message or wherever you like.

Press Alt + S -> Capture -> Grab sharing link. Screenrec is as simple as that.

Who’s It For

Anyone can benefit from using ScreenRec. Yet, business people stand to gain a lot in productivity when implementing ScreenRec into their daily routine. They can send video email, create tutorial videos, record Skype/Zoom meetings.

2. Windows Snipping Tool

Overview

We know. We said we’d venture beyond the Windows Snipping Tool, but Microsoft has made some changes to the built-in screenshot utility that are worth mentioning. If you want to avoid this program at all costs, continue reading or check out our list of Snipping tool alternatives

Save Screenshot Windows 10

Why It’s Awesome

In the October 2018 update, Snip & Sketch replaced the Windows Snipping Tool which came with previous versions of Windows. The keyboard shortcut is Windows + Shift + S.

The annotation options in Snip & Sketch include more colors, writing tools, and even a ruler and a protractor. Another plus is that you can use Snip & Sketch on a Windows 10 tablet. Actually, it’s somewhat easier to use Snip & Sketch on a tablet than on a PC because it’s optimized for doodling rather than annotating with a mouse. But, if you need more editing options, you can open the snip in another app.

Who’s It For

Immediate sharing is still a pain in the butt, so we wouldn’t recommend this screenshot program for those who need easy and secure access to their captures. But, if you’re looking for a quick screen snip (especially if you want to do a free-form selection), this app will work just fine.

3. Lightshot

Overview

Offered by PrntScr.com, Lightshot is a screenshot app for PC that allows you to take quick snaps and edit them online or within the app.

Why It’s Awesome

With Lightshot, you have access to an online image editing tools by clicking a single button and uploading your images to their servers. Some people may find this problematic as there is no way to guarantee the privacy of your captures. Nonetheless, once your images are uploaded (and you’ve created an account), you have full access to your online gallery and Lightshot’s editor.

Who’s It For

Lightshot is for anyone looking to edit/share their screen snapshots publicly. Due to the general lack of security, we wouldn’t recommend uploading images that contain sensitive information. So, Lightshot may not be ideal for business people and companies.

4. Greenshot

Overview

This open source screenshot app for Windows is perfectly suited for productivity while keeping things incredibly simple. Much like Gadwin Printscreen, Greenshot aims to make it easier to take screenshots and save them using the PrtScn key.

Why It’s Awesome

Greenshot requires no prior knowledge. In fact, it may be the most basic screenshot program available. And, by “basic” we mean this screen grab application has all of the necessary features (hotkey functions, annotation, built-in editor, upload/sharing options) without bells and whistles.

Who’s It For

If you just need to take a screenshot on Windows 10 and you don’t need a bunch of features, Greenshot is a good option. You can upload your captured images to file sharing sites or save them locally. Since Greenshot isn’t overly fancy, taking, editing, and sharing your screenshots is a breeze, saving valuable time.

5. ShareX

Overview

Ahh ShareX, the one with the most options… It does everything from capturing the active window or the active monitor, to uploading your content to dozens of predefined sites.

Why It’s Awesome

Like ScreenRec, ShareX has the ability to not only capture screenshots but also to record your screen. However, the long list of uploading options is worth mentioning. Pretty much every social media and file sharing site you can think of is available in the ShareX app. It certainly isn’t private sharing, but it is convenient.

Who’s It For

ShareX can be used by anyone who isn’t afraid to browse a ton of options and menus. Those who love to (or need to) share via social media will love this app.

6. PicPick

Overview

A buffet of features in a single app? Yes, please! PicPick is so full of various features that it’s more of a photo editor than a screenshot app. With its ability to capture scrolling screenshots when you need to snip entire webpages, this app is hard to ignore.

Why It’s Awesome

PicPick will require a bit of exploration first, but with a list of edit tools almost as big as Photoshop’s, it’s worth giving it a once-over. When you’re done editing your screenshot, you can save it as an image or upload it to a public sharing site such as imageshack.us. What’s more interesting about PicPick is that it is portable. You can move this print screen program onto a jump drive and open it up anywhere without needing to install it.

Who’s It For

PicPick is best suited for those who are looking for an advanced editor and a screen grab app rolled into one.

7. Awesome Screenshot

Overview

Awesome Screenshot is a browser extension that gives you everything an installed screenshot app offers. The downside? It could make your computer run slow.

Why It’s Awesome

Screenshot Windows 10 Desktop

Forget the downside for a moment. The upside is that, as long as you are signed in, you can use the app on any PC and upload your screen captures to Google Drive. This screenshot software can also capture web pages. Keep in mind, though, that you are allowed only 30 images per project and only 30 seconds of screen recording time.

Who’s It For

Anyone who is constantly on the go can benefit from using Awesome Screenshot. As long as you can log in to your personalized browser, you’re good to go.

Compare The Best Free Windows 10 Screenshot Tools

Capture Full ScreenCapture Screen AreaEdit Screenshots (Annotation)Automatic UploadInstant Sharing
ScreenrecYesYesYesYesYes, 2 Gb free private cloud storage
Windows Snipping ToolYesYesYesNoNo
LightshotYesYesYesYesNo
GreenshotYesYesYesNoYes, but not secure
ShareXYesYesYesYesYes, but not secure
PicPickYesYesYesNoYes, but not secure
Awesome ScreenshotYesYesYesNoYes, if you’re connected to Google Drive

And the Winner for Best Screenshot Software for Windows is…

YOU DECIDE!!!!

In all seriousness, choosing the best app depends on what you need. In our opinion, ScreenRec works for anyone, no matter the requirements. If you’re looking to snap the full screen or just a section; ScreenRec has it covered. Want to record a video? ScreenRec can do that, too. What about editing and sharing securely? Only ScreenRec can do both. Let’s not forget that it’s completely free with an included 2 GB of free storage. Feel free to download it and check it out for yourself!

How to take a screenshot without using Print Screen?

To take a screenshot without using Print Screen, try a third-party app like ScreenRec. With ScreenRec in particular, you can take a screenshot, save it and share it by pressing a single hotkey Alt + S.

How to take a screenshot with high resolution quality?

To take a screenshot with high resolution, set your screen resolution as high as possible. This is done through the display settings.

What is the best free screen capture software for Windows?

The best free screen capture software is the one that fits your needs perfectly. We'd suggest ScreenRec because it's super-fast, lightweight and gives you a sharing link instantly. It can take screenshots and record your screen. All screen captures are stored in your private cloud account (2Gb free storage included).

References and Further Reading

Take a snapshot to copy words or images from all or part of your PC screen. Use Snipping Tool to make changes or notes, then save, and share.

Windows 10 has another screenshot app you might also like to try. When you open Snipping Tool, you’ll see an invitation and keyboard shortcut to Snip & Sketch. For more info on this app, see How to take and annotate screenshots on Windows 10.

Capture any of the following types of snips:

How To Take A Screenshot Windows 10 Laptop

Free-form snip

Draw a free-form shape around an object.

Rectangular snip

Drag the cursor around an object to form a rectangle.

Window snip

Select a window, such as a dialog box, that you want to capture.

Full-screen snip

Capture the entire screen.

When you capture a snip, it's automatically copied to the Snipping Tool window where you make changes, save, and share.

Screen shot windows 10 desktop

Open Snipping Tool

For Windows 10

Select the Start button, type snipping tool in the search box on the taskbar, and then select Snipping Tool from the list of results.

For Windows 8.1 / Windows RT 8.1

Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, tap Search (or if you're using a mouse, point to the lower-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer up, and then select Search), type snipping tool in the search box, and then select Snipping Tool from the list of results.

For Windows 7

Select the Start button, then type snipping tool in the search box, and then select Snipping Tool from the list of results.

Work with your screenshots

With your Snipping Tool open, select one of the following to create and work with your screenshots.

Capture a snip

In Snipping Tool, select Mode. In earlier versions of Windows, select the arrow next to the New button. Next, when you choose the kind of snip you want, you’ll see the whole screen change slightly to gray. Then, choosing from anything currently displayed on the screen, select the area of your screen that you want to capture.

Capture a snip of a menu

  1. After you open Snipping Tool, open the menu that you want to capture. For Windows 7, press the Esc key before opening the menu.

  2. Press Ctrl + PrtScn keys. The entire screen changes to gray including the open menu.

  3. Select Mode, or in earlier versions of Windows, select the arrow next to the New button. Select the kind of snip you want, and then select the area of the screen capture that you want to capture.

Annotate a snip

After you capture a snip, you can write or draw on or around it by selecting the Pen or Highlighter buttons. Select Eraser to remove the lines you've drawn.

Save a snip

  1. After you capture a snip, select the Save Snip button.

  2. In the Save As box, type a file name, location, and type, and then select Save.

Remove the URL

Screenshot Windows

When you capture a snip from a browser window and save it as an HTML file, the URL appears below the snip. To prevent the URL from appearing:

  1. In the Snipping Tool, select the Options button.

  2. In theSnipping Tools Options box, clear the Include URL below snips (HTML only) check box, then select OK.

Share a snip

After you capture a snip, select the arrow next to the Send Snip button, and then select an option from the list.

Keyboard shortcuts to use in Snipping Tool

Press these keys

To do this

Alt + M

Choose a snipping mode.

Alt + N

Create a new snip in the same mode as the last one.

Shift + arrow keys

Move the cursor to select from different types of snips.

Alt + D

Delay capture by 1-5 seconds

Ctrl + C

Copy the snip to clipboard

Ctrl +

Save the snip

Enlarge, rotate, or crop your snip

With your capture open in Snipping Tool, select Edit > Edit with Paint 3D to use features for sizing, color, text, and many other enhancements.

Print a snip

In the folder where you’ve saved your snip, right click on the snip. Select Print from the options and make choices for how you want to print your image.

Place tool on the taskbar

In the search box on the taskbar, type snipping tool. You’ll see the Snipping Tool app and a list of actions you can take. Select Pin to taskbar.

Delay your screenshot

Screenshot Windows 10 Keyboard Shortcut

First, identify the menu or other components you want to capture. In Snipping Tool, select Delay and then select, for example, 5 seconds. Select Mode to start the 5-second countdown. Within 5 seconds, open a menu or otherwise compose your image. At 5 seconds, when you see the screen turn gray, use the mouse to draw around the area you want.

Related info

For info about other Windows 10 features, see What's new in recent Windows 10 updates.