Audience
Public
Task
In this article, we will cover how to take screenshots on Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android. These will be helpful in multiple ways, from adding images to course materials to providing the Service Desk with pictures of error messages.
How to take screenshots on Windows
There are multiple ways to take screenshots on a Windows PC. One way is through key combinations; another is through an app.
Using key combinations on your keyboard:
The key combination method depends on your specific system. Since there are multiple combinations, it is best for you to try each combination to see which works with your system. These combinations are:
- Pressing the Windows logo key simultaneously with the PrtScrn (or PrtSc) key
- Pressing the Windows logo key along with the PrtSc and Ctrl key
- Pressing the Windows logo key along with the PrtSc and Fn key.
When using this method, the image will be copied to the Windows clipboard. You will need to open a program, like Paint, and select Edit > Paste to paste the image into the program. You can then save the screenshot in any of the available formats for that program.
Using the Snipping tool:
The Snipping tool provides a more reliable way of creating screenshots. If you press the Windows key + Shift + S, this will open the tool. You can also find this under the Start Menu > Windows Accessories. To take a screenshot, do the following:
- Click on the Mode button to select the shape of what you want to take a screenshot of. You have options for a free-form snip (no set shape), a rectangular snip, a window snip, or a full-screen snip.
- If you select Free-Form Snip, the screen will turn semi-transparent and your cursor will change to a scissors icon. Click and draw around the area that you want to take a screenshot of. A red path will show on the screen indicating the area that will be snipped. When you are done, release the mouse button. The snapshot will be opened in the snipping tool
- If you select Rectangular Snip, the screen will turn semi-transparent and your cursor will change to a plus sign. Click and drag a rectangle over the area you want to take a screenshot of. A red outline will show the edges of the rectangle and the interior portion of the rectangle will become fully visible. When you are done, release the mouse button. The snapshot will be opened in the snipping tool.
- If you select Window Snip, as you move your cursor around to different open windows on the screen, you will see them outlined in red. When you click on the window you want, the snapshot of that window will be taken and opened in the snipping tool
- If you select Full-Screen Snip, a snapshot is instantly taken and opened in the snipping tool.
- Once your snapshot has been taken, you can add an annotation to the image with the Pen tool, highlight an area with the Highlight tool, erase part of the image with the Eraser tool, or open the image in Paint to edit it further.
- When you are ready to save the image, click on the disk icon in the toolbar. A window will appear prompting you for where you want to save the image. Browse to where you want to save the image. From the dropdown, you can select to save the image as a JPG, PNG, or GIF image. Give your file a name and click Save.
How to take screenshots on Macs
There are multiple ways to take screenshots on a Mac. One way is through an app and another is through button combinations on your keyboard.
Using the Screenshot App (Mojave and above):
The Screenshot app can be found under Applications > Utilities. When you open the app, you will see a command bar that gives you various options. You have the option to take a screenshot of the entire screen, a specific window, or a specific selection. You can also take a video of all or part of your screen. There is an “Options” button that allows you to choose where you want to save your screenshot. You can also set a short delay before the screenshot is taken. When you’re ready, click on the “Capture” button on the right end of the command bar.
Using Keyboard Key Combinations:
On any version of Mac OS, you can take screenshots using one the key combinations below to take screenshots. These screenshots are saved to your desktop as PNG files.
- To take a screenshot of the entire screen, press Shift-Command-3.
- To take a screenshot of part of the screen, press Shift-Command-4 and then drag the cursor to outline the area you want to capture.
- To take a screenshot of a specific window, press Shift-Command-4. Press the spacebar. The cursor will turn into a camera. Hover the cursor over the window you want to capture so it highlights, and then click on the window.
How to take screenshots on iOS devices
To take a screenshot on an iOS device, do the following:
- For iOS devices that do not have a Home button, press the power button and the volume-up button simultaneously. For iOS devices that have a Home button, press the power button and the Home button simultaneously.
- You will see a thumbnail image of your screenshot in the lower left corner.
- Tap on the image to make it larger. Editing tools will be located below. Icons in the upper right corner let you delete it or share the screenshot.
- When you’re finished, tap “Done” in the upper left corner.
Screenshots are available in the Photos app.
How to take screenshots on Android devices
There are two ways to take a screenshot on Android 9 or higher.
Procedure 1:
- Press and hold your power button. A pop-out window will appear on the right side of your screen with icons that let you power off, restart, call an emergency number, or take a screenshot.
Procedure 2:
- Hold down the power button and press the volume-down button.
Both ways will take a screenshot. A small version of the screenshot will appear and then disappear. You will get a top notification that lets you share, edit, or delete it.
Note: Some Android phones (for example, certain Samsung and Huawei phones) let you take “long” screenshots, where you can scroll the screen down and capture the entire page. Check your phone’s support pages to see if your device has this feature.
To locate your screenshots:
If you want to find all your past screenshots:
- Go to the Photos app
- Tap on the three parallel lines in the top left corner
- Select Device folders > Screenshots