How to Use Print Screen in Windows

Posted: 28 Jun 2012 08:23 AM PDT

Have you ever taken the time out to get to know the keys on a computer keyboard? If you haven’t you might be overlooking some very useful keys like the Windows Print Screen Key. This key can be quite helpful if you know how to use it to release its full capabilities. A lot of people don’t even know that this key exists. I am sure that you are checking the keyboard right now to find the print screen key. The key is marked “Print Screen/SysRq” (might vary depending on the manufacturer) and it is located beside the F12 button. There are other people who know that it is there but have never used it because they don’t know how. The main purpose of the print screen tool is to take a snapshot of the computer screen and save it on the computer’s clipboard. Print screen images are saved with the extension .bmp for bitmap. Print screen function becomes useful especially for copying images that cannot be downloaded. Here are instructions on how to use this tool:

To take a snapshot of the computer screen

Open Microsoft word.
Create a new document.
Place the cursor (the blinking line at the position where you will type) at the beginning of the document or wherever you want to place a screenshot.
Press “Ctrl and V” on your keyboard. This will past the screenshot in the document you have created. If you want to save it so you can edit it, open the paint program by clicking “Start”, “Accessories” then “Paint”. Paste the image there. Here you can crop the image as you like.
To save it, pres “Ctrl and S” and select a location where you want the document to be saved. Give the document a name that you will recognize easily.
You can now use the file for presentations showing how to perform tasks on computers or for sending in email.

Snapshot of current Window

this feature takes a picture of the currently selected window and not the
entire screen as shown above.
On your keyboard, press “Alt and Print Screen”.
A screenshot will be taken of the current screen. This enables you to take a specific window you have opened and nothing else.

Sending images via email using Print screen by using Microsoft Outlook

Follow one of the two options given above to capture full screen or just a window.
Open a new email message in Microsoft outlook.
Position the cursor where you want to place the captured image.
Press “Ctrl and V”. The captured image will be placed at the point you selected in your email.
Send your email.

Tips and warning

Please be aware that these instructions are relevant to the Windows Operating system. If you use other operating system like Macintosh, you will need to find out how to use that particular function which is labeled “Screen Grab” key command instead of “Print Screen”.
If you are using MacOS instead of Microsoft Windows, read How to Screen Print on a Mac.