This article covers how to capture a screenshot in Windows 10, including using a keyboard combination, using the Snipping Tool, the Snip & Sketch Tool, or the Windows Game Bar.

Capture a Screenshot in Windows 10 With Print Screen

The simplest method to capture a screenshot in Windows 10 is by pressing the PrtSc + Windows key combination. Your screen will flash briefly, indicating that the screenshot has been saved to the Pictures > Screenshot folder on your computer. However, this might not be the most suitable method for every situation.

A potential issue with this keyboard combination is that if you’re using Windows 10 with multiple monitors, it captures all screens. If you need to capture a single screen or a specific part, Windows 10 offers alternative tools that might work better for those purposes.

Capture a Screenshot With Snip & Sketch

Another way to capture a screenshot in Windows 10 is by using the Snip & Sketch tool. Access Snip & Sketch via the Windows key + Shift + S shortcut or find it in the Start menu. Here’s how it works:

1. From the page or window, you want to capture, either use the keyboard shortcut or the Start menu to start the Snip & Sketch tool.

2. Once the tool is activated, you have several options:

   • Rectangle: Draw a rectangle around the portion of the screen you want to capture with your mouse.
   • Freeform: Draw any freeform shape around the area you want to capture.
   • Window Snip: Grabs a screenshot of the active window.
   • Fullscreen Snip: Grabs a screenshot of your entire screen (if you’re using multiple monitors, it will capture a screenshot of all monitors).

   If you decide not to proceed, click the X to exit the Snip & Sketch tool.

3. Once you’ve captured the screenshot, it will save to your clipboard, and you’ll see a notification pop up in the corner of your screen. Click this notification to markup and share the screenshot.

   If you miss the pop-up notification, access the screenshot via the Notifications bar on the screen’s right side.

4. Click the notification to open the Snip & Sketch tool, where you can mark-up, save, and share the screenshot. When you save the screenshot from here, you can choose where you want to put it.

   If you don’t save the screenshot to your hard drive, it stays on your Clipboard. Depending on your clipboard settings, it will disappear when replaced with another item on the Clipboard.

Get the Image With the Snipping Tool

You can also use the Snipping Tool in Windows 10. This tool has been available since Windows Vista, and, although it’s not in the Start menu anymore, it’s still accessible via the Windows Search Bar.

1. When you have something on your screen you want to capture a screenshot of, type Snipping Tool in the Windows Search bar, and select the Snipping Tool from the results.

2. The Snipping Tool will open, and you’ll have some options to choose from:

   • Mode: This allows you to choose whether you want to take a Free-form Snip, Rectangular Snip (This is the default.), Window Snip, or Full-screen Snip.
   • Delay: Lets you choose to delay the screenshot from 1-5 seconds.
   • Options: Lets you change the Snipping Tool options.

3. After setting up your screenshot options, click New to take the shot. The screen will display a white overlay over areas not being captured.

4. Once you’ve completed the capture, the screenshot is opened in the Snipping Tool, where you can mark-up, save, or share it.

   Screenshots captured with the Snipping Tool are not automatically saved, even on the clipboard. To retain the screenshot upon closing the tool, choose File > Save As to store it in your preferred location on the hard drive.

The Snipping Tool is a legacy tool in Windows 10, which is why you won’t find it listed in any menu. When you open it, you’ll even see a notice that it’s going away in a future update. For that reason, this should not be your first choice for taking screenshots.

Capture Screenshots (and Video) With the Game Bar

The Windows 10 Game Bar can capture screenshots, record your screen, and assist with broadcasts. While initially designed for gameplay recordings, it can also capture screenshots for various purposes.

1. To start the screenshot process, press the Windows key + G on your keyboard to open the Game Bar.

2. In the menu that appears, click the Capture icon.

3. A Capture dialog box appears. Click Capture to take your screenshot.

   A faster alternative is to press the keyboard combination Windows Key + Alt + PrtSc when Game Bar is active.

4. A full-screen screenshot is captured and saved automatically to C:\users\yourname\Videos\Captures, where C: represents your Windows hard drive and yourname your username.

Use Third-Party Screen Capture Software

Alternatively, you can use a third-party screen capture app like Snagit, Fireshot, or ShareX. These programs offer additional features, such as video recording and tools for annotating images and videos.

Capture Screenshots on a Windows 10 Microsoft Surface

If you have a Microsoft Surface device running Windows 10, press Power+Volume Up. On a Surface 3 or earlier, press the Windows Logo+Volume Down. Screenshots are saved to Pictures > Screenshots.