For various reasons, it becomes necessary to capture an image from a computer screen. There are different tools, some are built into the system, others exist as separate utilities. This article discusses the best options for how to take a screenshot of a computer screen as quickly as possible and without unnecessary movements.

Screenshot allows you to help fix it system error or malfunction. To do this, a screenshot is taken and the picture is uploaded to some, for example, computer forum. Other users can not only read your problem, but also clearly see all the details and give more accurate advice on solving your problem.

Of course, screenshots are also necessary for other cases. It's not that important now. What is more important is how to take screenshots. This article will help you take a screenshot using a few simple ways.

Print Screen key

Perhaps the easiest way to create a screenshot of the screen is using a special button on the keyboard - Print Screen ( print Screen). This button is located on the first row of buttons, after . It can be called differently: Prt Scr, Prnt Scrn, Prt Scn. It is located on the same button as "SysRq".

Finding the Print Screen button on the keyboard is not difficult; the picture below shows where it is located:

How to take a screenshot using the Print Screen key:

You can use other editors as well. After inserting an image, the screen can be edited, cropped, highlighted, noted, or added a description. Such functions, the most common ones, are also available in Paint.

Screenshot of a separate window:

If you need to capture not the entire screen (as in the previous version), but only a part, let’s say this is a window of some program. Then you need:

  1. Use the key combination, press the Alt+Print Screen keys together.
  2. Open the graphic editor. Insert an image. Save.

In this case, a screenshot will not be taken of the entire screen, but only of the window that is running above all other folders/programs. This allows you to remove everything unnecessary and photograph the desired object, for example, a window of a running program. In this case, excess fields are cut off.

Print Screen key on a laptop:

For some laptop or netbook manufacturers (for example, Lenovo), many functions on the keyboard are activated with the Fn key. They are highlighted in one color, for example, the Fn key is blue, which means that other functions, icons that are highlighted in blue on the keyboard, are performed only when combined with the Fn key.

This must be taken into account, because the Print Screen function can be activated with the Fn key.

Screenshot from Print Screen in Windows 8/10:

Unlike Windows 7 and older versions, in Windows 8 and Windows 10 you can immediately save a screenshot to a file, without using graphic editor Paint (as in the example above). To do this, you need to use the key combination Win+Print Screen.

A screenshot of the screen will be saved, in this case in documents, Windows 8: “Images - Screenshots” or Windows 10: “Images - Screenshots”.


Snipping Tool

This tool appeared in Windows Vista and is in everyone latest versions, including Windows 10. Windows “Scissors” is a very convenient application that allows you to capture the screen and save a screenshot of the desktop, both the entire screen and individually selected windows and areas (rectangle or free-form).

There is a built-in image adjustment function. After taking a screenshot, in the Tools menu you can select something, draw, erase, and use other simple image editing functions.

And so, now we’ll look at how to take a screenshot of a computer screen using Windows Scissors.

  1. Open "Start -> All Programs -> Accessories -> Snipping Tool".
  2. The application window will open with all the settings. Select the required capture form from the drop-down list. This can be either the entire screen or a separate object.
  3. After selecting the required shape, you need to select the part of the screen that needs to be fixed.
  4. The finished screenshot will open in the application window, to save it you need to select “File -> Save As”. And select the image format and the place where it should be saved.

Windows Snipping Tool is a very convenient tool for capturing screens and taking screenshots. This application is perfect for anyone who needs to fix the screen and make small adjustments and marks directly in the application without using graphic editors, as you need to do when using the Print Screen key. Also, instant sending by e-mail makes “Scissors” an excellent assistant in creating screenshots.

If you often have to take screenshots, then it’s better to add “Scissors” in a prominent place for quick launch. To do this, you need to click on the application icon right click mouse and select "Pin to taskbar".

Screenshot utility

Using the Print Screen key you can easily take a screenshot of your computer screen, and using the Scissors tool is even more convenient: flexible settings, editing directly in the application window, plus instantly sending a screenshot via e-mail. But for those who need more tools with minimal steps, great the utility will do"Screenshot".

What Screenshot can do:

  • A quick screenshot of both an individual object and the entire screen.
  • Saving the image on your computer and server. The latter allows you to get a link to a screenshot (very convenient for forums and sending by e-mail, no need to upload from your computer all the time).
  • Plugin for Google browsers Chrome and Yandex Browser.

We've sorted out the main advantages, now let's move on to instructions on how to take a screenshot using Screenshot:


As you can see, there are three ways to take a screenshot using Screenshot. But there is also a plugin for Google Chrome and Yandex browsers. This allows you to take screenshots of websites in your browser with the click of a single button on the toolbar. You can install the plugin by following this link.

The utility is new, so it doesn’t yet have as many functions as we would like, but it would be nice to add the following tools:

  • Quick editing. Note something, use the arrow to add a comment on the screenshot.
  • More formats for saving. On this moment The image is saved only in PNG format, it’s worth adding JPEG, at least.
  • Account on the server. It would be very convenient if you could somehow keep all your screenshots in one place, maybe add a function for creating an account and saving further screenshots there.
  • Multiplatform. Well, it would be quite nice to make support on other platforms (OS X, Linux, Android, iOS).

Basically, the remaining functions of the application are very well thought out and there is no need for unnecessary things. The Screenshot utility deserves attention as one of the best apps to capture the screen. Let's hope that the developers will continue to work on this wonderful utility and add more useful functions, in the meantime, let's support them, use what we have, and wait for new updates.

There are also many programs that allow you to photograph your computer screen. They are not included in this article due to monotony or lack of functions. Of the rest, we can only highlight "Joxi", which has advantages over other utilities.

All the methods in this article allow you to instantly and easily (without unnecessary movements) take a screenshot of your computer screen. Choose for yourself which method to use. Some people take screenshots very rarely, so you can do without third-party utilities, but for those who often need to take screenshots, it is better to use a more serious tool.

Write in the comments to this article how you take screenshots, maybe you can recommend something simpler and more convenient?

It happens when you need to show someone something, confirm it, but this can only be done with a screenshot. I also often receive messages in the comments and by email with the question “how to take a screenshot on a computer.” That's what I'll teach you in this post.

In general, the post turned out to be large, but each paragraph contains the answer to your question. I have written the answers to all your questions in one place, and now you can see all the ways to take a screenshot.

To save time, use the “contents” block with right side, and go to the method convenient for you.

How to take a screenshot with your keyboard

This method is standard, most convenient and widespread. In order to make a screenshot using the keyboard, you just need to press the " PrintScrn», « PrintScreen"possibly a slightly different name: "PrtScr", PrntScrn, PrtScn, PrtScr or PrtSc.

Whatever it is called on your keyboard, these names are similar and the screenshot button is almost in the same place. For a clear example, let's look at different keyboards on the picture:

  1. Standard keyboard - press: Print Screen (or the above key).
  1. Apple – press: cmd+ctrl+shift+3

  1. Logitech - Click: Print Screen

  1. Screenshot on a laptop keyboard – press: PrtSc. In general, I already wrote a whole article about... You can read it, there is a lot of useful information there.

Similarly, on other keyboards (Oklick, Genius, Defender, Microsoft), as you can see, the plus or minus key is located in almost the same place.

Screenshot of the active window

Screen active window, this is a photo open folder, programs, browsers i.e. without toolbar and backgrounds. This is done in exactly the same way, only now you need to press two keys at once: “ Alt» + « PrintScreen" An illustrative example:

Where is the screenshot saved?

And also, a frequently asked question: I pressed print screen and nothing happened. The answer is that it happened, you just didn’t notice it! The screenshot is stored in the clipboard, just like the text you copied on the Internet or in a file. You won’t be able to find it, but you can insert it in any editor, which we’ll talk about below.

How to save a screenshot

Everything is quite simple, I would even say it couldn’t be simpler. Just open for example, Paint(Start, All Programs, Accessories, Paint (Icon: palette with a brush)), then press Ctrl+V. That's it, you have inserted your screenshot, all that remains is to save “Ctrl+S” and confirm with the “Enter” key.

In fact, Pain is far from the only way you can save screenshots. You can also use MS Word, Photoshop and other editors.

That's not all, if you took a screenshot with the intention of sending it to someone, you don't even have to save it. Immediately after pressing " PrintScrn", open a letter in the mail or correspondence on social media. network/messenger with the person you want to send the photo to and press paste (Ctrl+V) and you can send.

I take a screenshot with a standard program

Congratulations, you are lucky today. And there is no need to download or install any programs. It's all about what you already have on your computer standard program, called “scissors” .

To open it, go to the start menu -> all programs -> standard -> scissors.

We open them and you don’t need to press anything else. You can already use the cursor to select the area you need for the screen. Simply select an area of ​​the screen and release the mouse. After which, click on top menu“file” and select save.

How to take a screenshot in a browser

In most cases, when you need to take a screenshot, you have your browser open. Of course, you can take pictures using the methods listed above, but browser add-ons are also convenient and you shouldn’t miss this moment. As an example, I will give only the main programs that I use myself, but I think others do this according to the same principle.

Screenshot in Yandex.Browser

In order to take pictures directly in the browser, you will need to install a special extension. Don't worry, it's easy and fast. Open the browser, click settings, “add-ons” tab, scroll to the bottom of the screen and click “Extension directory for Yandex.Browser”.

You will be redirected to the page - https://addons.opera.com/ru/extensions/ and now write “Screenshot” in the search.

Install any one (I use the first one) by clicking on it and click “Add to Yandex.Browser”.

Now, in the top panel you have a button for taking pictures directly in the browser. If necessary, click on it and select the area of ​​the screen to take a photo. After which it will automatically appear on your clipboard, and a button to download the image will also appear.

Screenshots in Opera

If you have current version Opera browser, then on the left side of the screen ( side panel), at the very top before social. networks you should have a camera icon. Click on it, select the area of ​​the screenshot and click “Capture”. Immediately after taking the photo, you will have the opportunity to change it (make it blurry, put a pointer/arrow, add a smiley face) and, of course, save it.

If you have the current version of the program, and not of this supplement, then: press “Ctrl+Shift+E” and you will be taken to the extensions directory or follow the link - https://addons.opera.com/ru/extensions/. Next, write “snapshot” or “screenshoter” in the search, and then install the extension as in the case of Yandex.Browser.

Screenshots in other browsers

I don’t see the point in writing separately about each browser because... this is all done the same way in everyone. The only difference is the graphical shell and the word install/add. If you use Chrome or Firefox, do everything the same as in the example above and you will have a convenient plugin.

Make a screenshot online

Using this method, you can take pictures without bothering at all. There are no installations of programs or extensions, no need to open or paste anything, just “click” and the screen is ready.

Let's look at the most convenient sites and how to work with them, with which you can take a screenshot online:

  1. pastenow.ru – No registration

To get a screen, make the pages, windows, programs you need using the “PrintScrn” button, open the site and press “Ctrl+V”.

Ready. Now you can: download, get a link to it, edit and delete.

  1. snag.gy – No registration

Everything is exactly the same as in the example above. Only this site on English language(nothing complicated, you don’t even need to read) and has more functionality.

  1. snapito.com – No registration

A cool tool with which you can take a screenshot of an entire website. By “whole site” I meant a full-height shot, not just the visible area of ​​the screen.

To take a screenshot of a page, go to the site and paste a link to the page to take a photo of. Wait a couple of seconds and you're done. Now you have a snapshot of the entire site, and you can download it or link to it.

Screen (screenshot). On the Internet you can often see screenshots of the entire desktop, individual windows, or even arbitrary areas of the screen. This short article will tell you how to take a screenshot or so-called screenshot quickly and without unnecessary problems.

Taking a screenshot (screenshot) of your entire desktop at once is quite simple. For this it is necessary press the Print Screen (Prt Scrn) key. Typically, this key is located in the upper right part of the keyboard, next to keys such as Scroll Lock and Pause Break. After pressing the Print Screen button, a screenshot of the screen will be taken and placed on the clipboard.

In order to get a screenshot as a finished image, you need to save it. Any graphics editor is suitable for this. However, the easiest way is to use regular Paint. Open Paint and paste the screenshot from the clipboard using the Ctrl-V keyboard shortcut. After this, the picture can be saved as a file. It is better to use PNG format for saving. This will allow you to get the maximum high-quality pictures with a minimum file size.

How to take a screenshot of a single window

If many people know how to take a screenshot, then many users are not even aware of the next method of taking screenshots. To take a screenshot of a separate window, you can use the key combination Alt + Print Screen. By pressing the Alt and Print Screen keys you get a snapshot of only one active window, that is, the window that is open and currently in use. This method of taking screenshots is especially useful when you need to take a screenshot of only one program, and the rest running programs should not be included in the photo.

After using this combination, a screenshot of the active window will be saved to the clipboard. Next, as in the previous case, the screenshot must be inserted into a graphics editor and saved as a picture.

Video instructions for taking screenshots

How to take a screenshot of an arbitrary area of ​​the screen

In order to take a screenshot of an arbitrary area of ​​the screen, you need to use the program for creating screenshots “Scissors”. This program is included in Windows composition 7 and can be launched using the start menu. To launch it, go to Start - All Programs - Accessories - Snipping Tool.

The scissors program is a very convenient application that allows you to take screenshots of any part of the screen, add comments and notes to the screenshot, and immediately save the result as a picture in PNG formats, GIF and JPG. Using the Scissors program, you will no longer need to save screenshots using a graphic editor; you can do this directly from the program.

After launching the Scissors program, you will be asked to select the area of ​​the screen from which you want to take a photo; this can be done using the mouse. Once the desired area of ​​the screen is selected, it will be copied into the Snipping Tool program, where you can do basic editing of the resulting image.

The following tools are available in this program:

  • Pen - with it you can add handwritten notes directly on the resulting screenshot;
  • Marker is a tool for highlighting important elements in the image;
  • The eraser is a tool for removing inscriptions made using the Pen and Marker tools;
  • Send snippet— sending the received image by email;
  • Copy - copy the received image to the clipboard;
  • Create fragment— a tool for creating a new photo;

After you have finished working with the Scissors program, you can save the screenshot as a file by using the “Save” button.

How to take screenshots easier

If you need to regularly take screenshots of your screen, it is better to install a special program to create them. Such a program can greatly simplify the process. We described several such programs in the article ““.

One of best programs this kind is DuckCapture program.

DuckCapture allows you to:

  • Create screenshots of a single window, a selected area, or the entire screen at once;
  • Take screenshots individual elements window or entire window with scrolling;
  • Finely control the process of creating images using settings and a pop-up window;
  • Create screenshots with a few mouse clicks or using standard keyboard shortcuts;
  • Automatically save received screenshots;
  • Save received images in BMP, PNG and JPG formats;
  • Work in the background;
  • Automatically load when the operating system starts;

Wherein this program absolutely free. It's possible.

Screenshots are an incredibly useful way to document and share what's on your screen. Is it a social media post that you think might end up being deleted, a glitch that you explain to a specialist technical support, or a funny dialogue in a chat - one way or another, screenshots help in these and dozens of other cases. Luckily, there are some easy ways to capture the screen you want to save.

How to take a screenshot of your entire screen

Press the "print screen" button on your keyboard. The screenshot is now saved to your clipboard and you need to paste it into a graphics editor like Windows Paint. Type "paint" into the search bar next to the Start menu and launch the program. Click “Paste” (ctrl + V) - your screenshot is ready!

How to take a screenshot of only the active window


Press Alt + Print Screen. Type "paint" into the search bar next to the Start menu (if Paint is already open, press "Control + N" and then select "OK" when "paint" asks you to approve the height and width). Click "Insert". Your finished screenshot is a newly opened and active window!

How to take a screenshot file without any additional programs


Press Windows key + print screen. When you navigate to the "Screenshots" folder inside your "images", your screenshots will be there!

How to take a screenshot of a specific part of the screen

Type " snipping tool" in the search bar next to the Start menu. Select "Snipping Tool" and click "create". Touch and drag your cursor to select the area of ​​the screen you want to use. Release the mouse button once you have selected the location you want to capture. Your screenshot is open in the Snipping Tool!

You can also use third-party services and programs.

  1. One of them is a simple PicPick() application. Open official page and click "Free Download". Follow the instructions to install PicPick and you'll find a menu of specific methods for capturing part or all of your screen. Clicking "Scroll Window" will allow you to capture as much of the page or document as you can scroll, not just a static version of the window.
  2. If you need screenshots only from time to time, then regular ones will be enough Windows tools. If, at work or other types of activity, you very often take pictures, edit and share them, then it is more convenient to use a special application with hot keys and the ability to place files on the developer’s server.

Be sure to visit ours, where you will find all the most popular programs at affordable prices.

Video: 6 ways to take a screenshot on a laptop

For example, if you have a problem with a program, its developers may ask you to take a screenshot and send it to them. And how to do this, even if it is not clear what it is. Today in this short note I will try to be as detailed as possible (for beginners) explain what a screen is, and how is this miracle possible do it yourself using the operating system or special programs. All this is not difficult at all - you just need to receive the appropriate instructions.

What is a screenshot and why might it be needed?

So let's start with what is a screenshot? Essentially, this is a screenshot (this is how this term is translated into Russian, if we take as a basis the word screenshot, from which it comes). Then we are faced with another task - to find out what is a screenshot? Well, this will be easier. In your daily practice, you come across a lot of screens (television, computer, mobile, etc.). So, a screenshot (screen) is an image of what you are currently observing on this very screen.

For example, let's say you play computer game and wanted to capture interesting point or a series of moments. How to do it? Usually, a combination of hot keys is used for this, and the result (screenshots) can then be viewed in a folder specially designated for this or on the clipboard. The same can be done when watching a movie (you can take screenshots in the form of still frames).

But this is not limited to films and games - you can capture anything. On devices that have their own operating system (computers, laptops, smartphones,), as a rule, there are built-in capabilities for taking screenshots (for example, on a computer or laptop you can click on Print Screen or Alt + PrintScreen, and then search for the taken picture in ) or you can use third-party extensions (programs) for this.

Let's summarize. What is a screen? This is the image, which contains displaying what you see on the screen computer or gadget. By the way, the snapshot may not contain the entire contents of the screen, but only a separate application window or a separate area of ​​the screen (selected by you when taking the screenshot). For example, this screenshot was taken while writing this article (do you recognize it?):

Many programs for taking screenshots allow you to process this image - add labels, lines, arrows, highlights and so on. This is exactly what I do when I work on articles on this blog, i.e. I add all sorts of things to the screenshots to emphasize what we are talking about. For example, like this:

Next, the screen can either be saved on your computer or sent to someone by email or via the Internet. To implement the latter feature (quickly share screenshots taken with your opponents), there are a lot of free programs, which will be discussed below. It’s very convenient - you quickly take a screenshot and immediately receive a link to its file (it is automatically sent to the Internet) to send it to your friend, acquaintance, or to the support service of some annoying program. Screenshots are power.

Do you know which one the easiest way to take screenshots comes to mind for novice computer users? That's right, take a picture of the screen using a phone or camera, and then send the resulting file by mail or via mobile phone. Just business. But believe me, this is not the most The best way, because the final image will have too many artifacts - glare, distortion, darkening, lightening, etc. In general, it's a complete mess. Moreover, you will make yourself look like a lamer (a person who does not know how to use a computer). Do you need it?

So I think it’s not necessary. Therefore, let’s quickly remember what screenshots are, and we learn to do them once or twice using the simplest instructions described below for all occasions. Don’t blame me, but I’ve already written about all this in some detail, and I won’t describe many points, I’ll just give links to my other articles, where all this is discussed in great detail. Agreed? Well, that's great.

How to make this same screen on a computer, laptop or phone?

Oh, it's very simple. The main thing is to understand what a screenshot is, and there are plenty of ways to take one. So, let's take a closer look at everything first for computers and laptops. Let me put all the material in the form of a list to make it easier to perceive:

  1. The most obvious, but not the most convenient way- use the key Print Screen(to take a screenshot of the entire screen) or the key combination Alt + PrintScreen (to take a screenshot of only the currently active window in which the cursor is located).

    The screen image itself goes to the clipboard (if you take the next screenshot, the previous one will be deleted from the buffer) and you will need to pull it out from there using any graphic editor installed on your computer (you can use it). In any case, at least you will have a Point. Read all other details here:

  2. In modern Windows versions Starting with Vista, there is a built-in program called "Scissors"(“Start” - “Programs” - “Accessories” - “Scissors”). What it is? Well, this is already a much more advanced tool than the one described above. simplest option. Here you will have the opportunity to see what you took and, if necessary, add some highlights and inscriptions.

  3. You can install the program on your computer or laptop Snagit, which really costs money. This is what I use to create screenshots, because it is very convenient and functional. If you, like me, need to constantly take and process screenshots, then install it and don’t think about anything, because... this is probably the best option of those existing on the market. Moreover, in RuNet there are no problems with paid programs, when every second person has Photoshop, although it costs a thousand evergreen money.

    What are screenshots made in Snagit? These are masterpieces, all without exception. The program is so simple and convenient that it will not allow anyone to spoil anything.

    It can even be useful when recording webinars. See more details here: .

    Modern phones, and especially smartphones are essentially the same computer, and their OS allow you to do exactly the same as on a computer (create files displaying what you are currently seeing on the screen). To do this, certain key combinations are used, which may vary depending on the model and type of operating system used on the phone.

    The main ones now are operating iOS systems(used on iPad and iPhone) and Android (used by the vast majority of smartphone and tablet manufacturers). Yes, and also on Windows Phone There are phones, but mostly from Nokia. So let's find out for them key combinations for taking screenshots:


    I hope that in this article I was able to clearly explain what a screenshot is in relation to both the computer and mobile phone. And most importantly, you have stopped being afraid of the unknown and have confidently mastered another layer of computer wisdom, which will certainly be useful to you in the future practice of communicating with these “smart” human friends. Adies, amigos.

    Good luck to you! See you soon on the pages of the blog site

    You might be interested

    How to take a screenshot on your phone, computer or laptop
    Where can you download Photoshop for free - how to get it and activate it for free PhotoShop program CS2 from the official Adobe website
    Skype - what is it, how to install it, create an account and start using Skype
    WHAFF Rewards - earnings on mobile applications on your phone or tablet What are drivers, what devices are needed for and how to install them
    FAQ and FAQ - what is it? What's happened computer program How to set (change) the default browser and make Google or Yandex the default search in it What is a messenger, what is it for and how to use it - the 6 most popular messengers in the world What's happened software and what types of software are there