There are a number of ways you can take a picture on your computer.

We've put together a list of the best ways to take a Windows Screenshot.

If you have a Mac, there is an article on how to take pictures on a Mac computer.

The Print Screen button

A screenshot of a Windows keyboard, with the Print Screen key highlighted.
The Print Screen key is on the top row of keys.
William Antonelli/Insider

Pressing the Print Screen (PrtScn) button on your keyboard is the easiest way to take a screen grab.

You will be able to see the screenshot on your clipboard. You can save the file by using any program that allows you to put images in it.

print screen windows 10 screenshot
Paste your screenshot into a program like Paint to save and edit it.
William Antonelli/Insider

Pressing the Windows key + V will bring up the clipboard, where you can view the pictures you took.

The Windows key + Print Screen

A screenshot of a Windows keyboard, with the Print Screen key and Windows key highlighted.
You can automatically save screenshots by pressing the Windows Key along with Print Screen.
William Antonelli/Insider

Press the Windows key +PrtScn if you want to take a Screenshot on Windows 10 or Windows 11. The entire screen will be saved to the folder when the screen goes dim.

The easiest way to find the Screenshots folder is to open File Explorer and click Pictures in the left side panel. If you have an account on the cloud, you will be able to save theScreenshot.

Alt + Print Screen

Press Alt +PrtScn to only capture the active window. If you want to save it, you have to paste it into another program.

The Snip & Sketch tool in Windows 10

The best way to suck on Windows is with Windows 10 Snip & Sketch.

The mini menu will appear at the top of your screen if you use the keyboard shortcut Windows Key + Shift + S.

A screenshot of a Windows keyboard, with the Shift key, Windows key, and S key highlighted.
This keyboard combo works in both Windows 10 and Windows 11.
William Antonelli/Insider

You can choose how you want to take a picture.

The Snip & Sketch options in Windows 10.
Click the menu to take a rectangular, free-form, window, or full-screen capture (from left to right).
William Antonelli/Insider

A preview notification will appear in the bottom-right corner of your screen after you capture the scats.

If you click on the preview notification, you will be able to open the app and save, share, or modify the screenshot.

The Snipping Tool in Windows 11

The sniping tool is available in Windows 10, but it isn't usually used for screenshots. The best way to take custom screenshots is with the major upgrade of the sniping tool.

You can either search for it or press the Windows Key + Shift + S to start the tool. You will be able to take a rectangular, freeform, full-window, or full-screen capture with this tool.

The Snipping Tool app in Windows 11.
The Snipping Tool looks just like Snip & Sketch.
William Antonelli/Insider

You can save the Screenshots folder if you want to share it right away. You can save and edit the preview if you click it in the bottom-right corner of your screen.

The Game Bar

You can use the Game Bar to take pictures and record video in most Windows games. To open it, follow the steps below.

This is the first thing. Press the Windows key.

Make sure the Game Bar is turned on if it doesn't open. To open the settings app, press the Windows key and then head to the game bar. The Game Bar can be used to record game clips, chat with friends, and receive game invites.

There are two The Capture menu can be found in the top of the menu.

A screenshot of the Game Bar app in Windows 10.
You can take screenshots or screen recordings with the Game Bar.
William Antonelli/Insider

There are three. Click the camera icon to take a picture. You can record a video by pressing the record button and then clicking the microphone icon.

You can find the Screenshots and Video clips captured by the Game Bar in the Videos > Captures folder in file explorer. You can find them through the Game Bar's Gallery if you click on Show my captures.

Power + Volume Up

To take a picture with a Microsoft Surface device, press the Power Button. The screen will go dim, and you'll have to save the picture to the pictures folder.

To take a picture on a Surface 3, you need to press the Windows logo and volume down button.

Third-party screenshot apps for Windows

If you're dissatisfied with any of the built-in Windows methods, there are third-party scats that can be used.

A picture of Lightshot on Windows 10.
Screenshot apps like Lightshot are useful for social sharing.
William Antonelli/Insider
  • Lightshot is a free screenshot tool designed for quick social sharing. When you download and install Lightshot on Windows 10, it replaces the Print Screen function and offers more editing capabilities.
  • Greenshot is another free tool that allows you to edit and customize screenshots, as well as the option to capture a complete scrolling web page.
  • ScreenRec is a free Windows recording tool that allows you to capture and share videos and screenshots. It also provides tools for annotating your recordings and screen grabs, as well as instantly creating a link that you can share with others so they can view them.
  • Snagit is a screenshot tool that allows you to create animated GIFs, take full-page screenshots, and more. The downside? The premium version costs $50. There's a 30-day free trial option but any picture you capture during the trial will be watermarked.
  • Screencast-O-Matic is a web-based video editor and screen-sharing tool for recording your on-screen activities. It also has the ability to take screenshots, you'll just need to sign up for a free account. You can also upgrade to a premium account to unlock advanced features, starting at $4 a month.
Tech Reporter for Insider Reviews William Antonelli (he/she/they) is a writer, editor, and organizer based in New York City. As a founding member of the Reference team, he helped grow Tech Reference (now part of Insider Reviews) from humble beginnings into a juggernaut that attracts over 20 million visits a month. Outside of Insider, his writing has appeared in publications like Polygon, The Outline, Kotaku, and more. He's also a go-to source for tech analysis on channels like Newsy, Cheddar, and NewsNation. You can find him on Twitter @DubsRewatcher, or reach him by email at wantonelli@insider.com.