How to Take Screenshots for Windows Laptops or PCs

How to Take Screenshots for Windows Laptops or PCs

Taking a screenshot on Windows computers should not be confusing or difficult. And yet, I find the several procedures you have to go through to be confusing and frustrating. To make capturing Windows 10 or 11 screenshots simpler, I will show you some simple steps you can follow.

Before start taking any screenshots, you will need to know a few things and I will go over those first.

Clipboard

Clipboard is like a bank where you are depositing some of your Windows computer’s activities for later use. In order to access Clipboard, you need to turn it on first.

Search in the Windows search box for Clip and then go to Clipboard settings and turn on history:

Clipboard – Clipboard Settings – Clipboard History

To open clipboard and copy from it, use the Windows button + V

Files or File Explorer – This PC – Pictures – Screenshots

Search for Files and then open the Pictures folder.

Files or File Explorer – This PC – Pictures – Screenshots

You will see the Screenshots folder where screenshots you take will be saved.

Microsoft Paint (Image Editing Tool)

You will also need an image editing tool such as Microsoft Paint. Search for Paint and click on the first match for the Paint app. MS Paint will open the screenshot image once you transfer it from the clipboard.

Other image editors should work the same way, although I have never tried anything else but MS Paint. MS Paint is the default image editor on Windows computers and most users stick with the default editor that comes with their PCs.

5 Ways to Take A Screenshot on Windows 10 & 11 PC

1. Print Screen (Entire Screen)

    PrtScn or Print Scr

Press PrtScn or Print Scr on your keyboard. This button sometimes may be associated with a function button. This means that you have to press these buttons together.

Once you do so, it will take a screen shot of the entire screen and put it on Clipboard. You may not see any activities on the monitor, but the print screen is there. Bring up the Clipboard (Windows button + V) and open an image editor like Microsoft Paint. Then click on the Clipboard and this will transfer the image to the editor.

You can edit (edit to get a specific part of the screenshot) and save from the image editor and go from there. Also, you can use any other image editor.

 2. Windows key + Print Screen (Entire Screen & Saves Automatically)

      Windows + Print Screen key

This method saves the screenshot automatically and you can get it from the Screenshots folder, which I mentioned earlier.

Press the Windows + Print Screen key. You will notice the screen gets dim for a second. Once you obtain the full screenshot from the folder, you can edit it to your preference.

3. Alt + Print Screen (Active Window)

      Alt + PrtScn.

The difference between the #3 method and #1 and #2 is that here you are only screenshotting the active screen. Your Active Window is the window which you are currently working on or your primary main window.

Once you press Alt + PrtScn, you need to use the Clipboard to retrieve this screenshot and edit it by using an image editor like mentioned above.

4. Snipping Tool

Access via the search bar

This is an old method to take a screenshot and Microsoft has been saying it won’t be available in the future, but looks like it’s still hanging in there for us to use, including in the new Windows 11. 

Snipping Tool is not listed in the list of apps, so you have to search for Snipping to access it. You will see 2 options: New & Mode. Click on Mode and you will see 4 options:

Free-form Snip – Lets you draw and cut a screenshot
Rectangular Snip – Rectangular screenshot
Window Snip – Active Window screenshot
Full-screen Snip – Full-screen screenshot

Choose one from above and hit New and you will get your screenshot. Snipping Tool saves one copy in the Clipboard or you can save manually from File.

5. Snip & Sketch

Windows key + Shift + S

This is the newer screenshot tool Microsoft is trying to get everyone used to. You can access it using the command Windows key + Shift + S, located in the alphabetical list of apps, located in the notification panel, or just search for it.  

When you have the Snip & Sketch tool up, you will see 4 options, which are the same 4 options as #4 Snipping Tool above. Once you take a screenshot, it saves in the Clipboard. Use MS Paint or another app to transfer from Clipboard and then you can edit and save.

These are the ways you can take screenshots in Windows. I have a video showing step-by-step all of the above, which you can watch here to visualize the above instructions.

How to Take Screenshots on Windows 10 Windows 11 PC or Laptop

Calgary Travel | First Trip After Covid Within Canada

My First Trip After Covid – Calgary Travel 2021

9-Day Calgary Trip Begins in About A Week

It feels like yesterday, but my last trip was almost 2 years ago when I went to Egypt in 2019. Covid has taken away so much from everyone, including exploring new places and faraway lands.

Things started to get back to normal, but not fully normal enough yet to travel beyond the boundaries of our own countries. I had a big trip to Asia in mind, but had to cut that short to Western Canada as Covid stills lingers around.

At this point, travelling to Asia is possible in certain countries. One thing in common, regardless of where you go, is the hassle. Each time you are entering a new country, a Rapid PCR test has to be done within certain hours, and that test is way too expensive.

Travelling within Canada is not cheap. It is actually more expensive than travelling to Europe or Asia, but this is the most viable option I have right now. I don’t need to go through numerous PCR tests or quarantine.

I only need to produce my proof of vaccination if I am staying within Canada. On this trip, I will be concentrating on Calgary and Banff, which is a famous resort town only 2 hours from Calgary.

My travel purpose has changed since I started documentation my journey and posting them on YouTube. My main purpose for this trip in not a vacation, but rather a business trip for my YouTube channel and Instagram.

I will be writing more about this trip as I continue my journey. You will be able to follow the full trip on my channel.

The links are here:

 Ahmed Dawn YouTube

Ahmed Dawn Instagram

At The Cairo Airport | Egypt Travel Blog: Day 09 (Part 64) 08D19

Cairo Airport – Not So Organized, Egypt | Leaving Cairo Tonight

Egypt Travel Blog: 10 DAYS Egypt Explorer - Felucca Cruise & Red Sea

After our tour van dropped us off at the Cairo airport, I passed the main entrance to enter the airport building and then headed towards security. This is when things seemed to be in disarray and no one knew which queue or section to follow.

At first, the other passengers and I (we were walking together after getting off the tour bus) were instructed to go to one counter to push our luggage through the X-ray machines and they would issue us our boarding passes. When we got there, someone else told us that it was the wrong section and pointed us to somewhere else.

Some people got mad and started arguing with the airport employees. We seemed to get to the right belt at one point. After putting my carry-on on the belt and passing through, I realized that this was not even the main security checkpoint where airport security officers check for liquids and make you go through the body X-Ray scanner gate.

I realized that for additional security measures, the Cairo airport had a double luggage check process. It was time-consuming, but I couldn’t complain because it was to protect everyone.

I passed through the main luggage check section and scanning machines without any incidents and breathed a sigh of relief. I was heading to the First Class Lounge at Terminal 3, as I had free passes to enter under the Priority Pass program.

The Best Low-Profile 25L Travel Backpack for Your Carry-On | Eddie Bauer Stowaway Packable 25L Packable Backpack Review

This 25L Packable Travel Backpack Folds to Fit in Your Carry-On | Best Travel Accessory - Eddie Bauer Stowaway 25L Pack

What I like about a packable backpack is that you can put them in your carry-on bag without taking up much space and once you arrive at the destination you can unfold it to use as a day pack. That doesn’t mean you have to travel to use it – you can also use it daily as a low-profile backpack that won’t weigh you down like a regular backpack.

The Eddie Bauer 25L Pack is lightweight (11 oz) and folds down into its own pocket, measuring only 17"H x 12"W x 6"D or 8" x 8" x 2.5" when stowed. I like that its side pockets (for water bottles or other accessories) are made of fabric, not mesh.

In the front, you will find one front pocket with a key ring attachment and one zip mesh pocket. The main compartment is surprisingly spacious. There even is another sleeve inside that can be used for a laptop or anything else.

The pocket the bag folds into is also a usable pocket on top of the bag with 2 hooks. You can attach a carabiner here as well.

This pack is made of durable, 200-denier ripstop fabric with water repellant coating. The shoulder straps are lightly padded.

Although it can hold a lot of stuff, the downside of the Eddie Bauer Stowaway Packable 25L Packable Backpack is that it might get uncomfortable and slips off your shoulder if you pack too much or put heavy stuff in it.

For light items, it should be good enough and I will use this especially when I travel as my daypack or a secondary bag. I find it hard to complain about this bag due to its price. Although the price tag says $50 CAD, Eddie Bauer usually has it on sale for 50% off.

Last Night in Cairo | Arriving at the Cairo Airport | Egypt Travel Blog: Day 09 (Part 63) 08D19

Cairo Airport, Egypt | Leaving Cairo Tonight

Egypt Travel Blog: 10 DAYS Egypt Explorer - Felucca Cruise & Red Sea

We hopped on a van with other travelers to go to the airport. I didn’t know most of them, but some of them I remember seeing in the hotel before.

My tour guide was sitting with me for almost two hours to give me company and it was time to say goodbye. His name was Mina and we became like friends for the past 10 days staying together crisscrossing Egypt.

I took good care of him by giving a lot more than the standard tips, which was recommended by the tour company. He was very appreciative of that. He personally thanked me many times and personally went beyond his regular duties to look after me during my stay. So yes, I felt bad to say goodbye, but that’s life.

We would have gotten to the airport in 30 minutes, but due to traffic it took more than an hour. However, I took the time to immerse myself in some Cairo roadside scenes for the last time. The full 10-day tour was kind of passing before my eyes and I was recalling all the bits and pieces of it.

This happens to me on every trip. The last couple of days, I start to feel bad because the trip is coming to an end and then when I am home, I feel trip sick for a while. Also, I recall these trips vividly for the rest of my life.

I think that’s a part of travelling and that’s what makes travelling unique and this is an eye-opening experience everyone should have if your situation permits it.

The shimmering lights of the Cairo airport are getting visible far away. We should be arriving shortly.