How-To Capture Screenshots on Windows 10

Authored by: Support.com Tech Pro Team

Capturing Screenshots on Windows 10

Capturing screenshots on a Windows 10 desktop computer is a common task that can sometimes encounter issues. This troubleshooting guide will help you diagnose and resolve problems related to taking screenshots on your Windows 10 system.

Snipping Tool

Open the Start menu and search for "Snipping Tool."

Click on "Snipping Tool" to open the application.

Click on "New" and select the area you want to capture.

Save or annotate the screenshot as needed.

Snip & Sketch

Press the "Windows" key + "Shift" + "S" to open Snip & Sketch.

Select the type of snip you want (rectangular, freeform, window, or fullscreen).

Capture the desired area and edit the screenshot if necessary.

Print Screen (PrtScn) or Alt + Print Screen

Press the "PrtScn" key to capture the entire screen.

Press "Alt" + "PrtScn" to capture only the active window.

Paste the captured screenshot into an image editor or document.

Check Keyboard Shortcuts

If the PrtScn or Alt + PrtScn shortcuts aren't working, try the following steps:

Verify that you're using the correct keys: "PrtScn" and "Alt" are on the keyboard.

Try using the "Fn" key in combination with "PrtScn" or "Alt + PrtScn" if you're on a laptop.

Confirm Clipboard Functionality

If you're unable to paste the captured screenshot:

Ensure the screenshot is being copied to the clipboard by using "Ctrl" + "V" in a text editor.

If clipboard is not working, restart the "Clipboard" service:

Open the Run dialog by pressing "Windows" key + "R."

Type in "services.msc" and press Enter.

Locate "Clipboard" in the list, right-click on it, and select "Restart."

Check for Software Conflicts

Sometimes, third-party software can interfere with screenshot functionality:

Temporarily disable or uninstall any screen capture or overlay software to check if they are causing conflicts.

Disable or exit software that might interfere with keyboard shortcuts, such as gaming overlays or virtual machine tools.

Update Graphics Drivers

Outdated or incompatible graphics drivers can lead to screenshot issues:

Update your graphics drivers to the latest version provided by your graphics card manufacturer (NVIDIA, AMD, Intel).

Go to the manufacturer's website and download the appropriate drivers for your graphics card model.

Windows Updates

Ensure your Windows operating system is up to date:

Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and click "Check for updates."

Install any pending updates and restart your computer if required.

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