Screenshots can be used for a variety of things, and can be taken with easy shortcuts on most devices. Screenshots can be used to troubleshoot, give instructions, references, or just to show off. The process for creating it varies, depending on the device you are using.
Step
Method 1 of 10: Windows
If you're using a Surface or Windows tablet, check out the Windows Mobile section.
Step 1. Take a full screenshot by pressing
PrtScr.
You may need to press the Fn key to activate the PrtScr key. The button will copy the screen image to the clipboard -- you'll need to paste the image into another program, such as Paint or Word. After pasting the image into another program, save the file to save the screenshot. There will be no indication that the screenshot has been taken.
- Windows 8/8.1 - You can directly save the entire screen capture to a file by pressing Win+⎙ PrtScr. Your screen will briefly dim, and the screenshot will be saved in the Screenshots directory in the Pictures library as a-p.webp" />
- Windows 8.1 - You can share your desktop screenshot using the Charms bar. Press Win+C to open the Charms bar, then click Share. Windows will capture what your desktop looks like, then display an application that you can use to share the screenshot.
Step 2. Capture the display of the currently active program by pressing
Alt+⎙ PrtScr.
This key combination will copy the current window's capture to the clipboard -- you'll need to paste the screenshot into Paint or another image-editing program. After you paste the image, save the image to the storage media.
Step 3. Use the Snipping Tool to create a custom sized screenshot
This program has been available since Windows Vista, and allows you to choose which part of the screen will appear in the screenshot. With this program, you can also add simple annotations to screenshots. Open the Snipping Tool by clicking the Start button, then searching for "snipping tool".
A more complete guide to using the Snipping Tool is available at wikiHow
Step 4. Capture the game screen with the special screenshot button in the game
Many games don't let you use the PrtScr key to capture the screen -- instead, they usually have a screenshot button, which is usually located in the Controls section of the menu. If the game you're playing doesn't provide a screenshot button, you can capture the screen with the help of a program like Fraps.
Method 2 of 10: Mac
Step 1. Take a full screenshot by pressing
Command+⇧ Shift+3.
If the loudspeaker on your computer is on, you will hear the camera sound. The screenshot is saved as a file on the desktop in-p.webp
To copy a screenshot to the clipboard, instead of making it a file, press Command+Control+⇧ Shift+3
Step 2. Take a free-sized screenshot by pressing
Command+⇧ Shift+4.
The cursor on the screen will change to a crosshair -- click and drag the cursor to create a square on the screen. The screen display in the grid will be captured when you release the cursor.
- Press Esc to cancel the process without capturing the screen.
- To copy a screenshot to the clipboard, instead of making it a file, press Command+Control+⇧ Shift+4.
Step 3. Capture the view of a window by pressing
Command+⇧ Shift+4.
Press Space to turn the crosshair cursor into a camera-shaped cursor, then click the window you want to capture. The screenshot will be saved on the desktop.
Step 4. Use Grab to gain more control while capturing the screen
With this program, you can choose between a full screenshot, a window, or a selection area. Open Grab from the Utilities directory, then click the Capture menu to select a screen capture mode.
Method 3 of 10: Linux
Step 1. Take a full screenshot by pressing
PrtScr.
In most Linux distributions, the button will copy the screen image to the clipboard, and in some distributions, a screen capture program will open, allowing you to directly save the screenshot as a file. If the screenshot is copied to the clipboard, you must paste it into an image processing program, then save it.
Step 2. Capture the display of the currently active program by pressing
Alt+⎙ PrtScr.
This key combination only works in some Linux distributions -- not all Linux distributions allow you to use it. The screenshot of the active program will be copied to the clipboard, or the screen capture program will open and ask you to save the screenshot. If the screenshot is copied to the clipboard, you must paste it into an image processing program, then save it.
Step 3. Use Terminal to capture the screen
With ImageMagick, you can capture different types of screen displays. Install ImageMagick by typing sudo apt-get install imagemagick (various Linux distributions include this). Use the following commands to capture different types of screen displays. The screenshot will be saved in your working directory:
- import –window root -pause 5 fileName-p.webp" />
- import fileName-p.webp" />
Method 4 of 10: iOS
Step 1. Press and hold the Sleep/Wake button
Step 2. Press the Home button quickly
Your device screen will flash briefly.
Step 3. Find the screenshot in the Photos app
Your screenshot will go into the Screenshots directory, also in your Camera Roll.
Method 5 of 10: Android
Step 1. Press the button to capture the screen
Most phones with Android version 4.0 and above can take screenshots. The shortcut keys for capturing the screen vary depending on the device model. The following are the most commonly used shortcut keys, but if your device is not on the list, you are still encouraged to try it.
- Samsung Galaxy: Press Power + Home button.
- HTC, Motorola, LG, Nexus: Press Power + Volume down button
Step 2. Find the screenshot in the Gallery Photos app
Your screenshot will go into the Screenshots directory.
Step 3. Use a screen capture app for older phones
If your phone does not support the screen capture function, you may still be able to capture the screen with certain applications. Open the Play Store, then look for Screenshot. You can try various free screen capture apps.
Method 6 of 10: Windows 8 Mobile/Tablet
Step 1. Press and hold Windows key + Volume down on the device
The screen will briefly dim to indicate that the screen display has been captured.
If your device doesn't have a Windows button, press and hold the Power and Volume down buttons
Step 2. Find the screenshot
Your screenshot will be saved in the Pictures library in the Screenshots directory. Use the Pictures app or Explorer in Desktop mode to find it.
Step 3. Use the Snipping Tools if you like
Snipping Tools is available on Windows tablets, but it's less convenient to use with a touch screen.
Method 7 of 10: Blackberry
Step 1. Press Volume up and down button at the same time
On most BlackBerry OS 10 devices, including the Q10, Z10, and Z30, this key combination will capture the screen.
Step 2. Find the screenshot
Open File Manager, then go to the Camera directory. You will find screenshots in it.
Step 3. Install a screen capture application for older BlackBerry devices
Most older BlackBerry devices do not support the screen capture function, but there is an application in BlackBerry World that you can download to let you capture the screen of your phone. These applications include:
- Capture It
- Screen Muncher
Method 8 of 10: PlayStation 4
Step 1. Create a fake Twitter account
The PS4 only lets you upload screenshots to Twitter or Facebook, and uploading screenshots constantly can be annoying to your friends. Creating a fake Twitter account and setting its privacy to private will allow you to upload screenshots and download them to your computer without disturbing others.
A guide to creating a Twitter account is available at wikiHow
Step 2. Press and hold the Share button when you want to capture the screen
The game will stop, and the Share button will open.
- You can set your controller so that the Share menu opens automatically when you press the Share button. Press the Options button in the Share menu to change the options.
- Not all content can be captured. You cannot capture the screen while watching a movie or viewing a cutscene in a game.
Step 3. Select "Upload Screenshot" and select the screenshot you want
You can only upload one screenshot at a time.
Step 4. Select Twitter from the list of services
Log into your fake Twitter account if you haven't already.
Step 5. Upload the screenshot
If you like, you can also add text.
Step 6. Open your Twitter account on the computer
Once the screenshot is sent, you can download the full image by going to the Twitter account.
Step 7. Click the image to open it
The screenshot will appear in a separate window.
Step 8. Right-click on the image, then click "Copy image URL". The address to the image will also be copied to your clipboard.
Step 9. Paste the address into the address bar, then change large to orig at the end of the link
Press Enter to open the full image in your browser.
Step 10. Save the image by pressing Ctrl+S, or by clicking File > Save on the browser menu
Method 9 of 10: Xbox One
Step 1. Update your Xbox One system
The Xbox One didn't come with a screen capture feature until the March 2015 update. You'll need to update your Xbox to be able to take screenshots -- generally, you'll be prompted to update your console automatically.
If you don't get an update request, go to Settings > System > Update Console
Step 2. Start the game you want to capture how it looks
You cannot capture the Xbox menu screen.
Step 3. Press the Xbox button twice to open the Snap menu
Step 4. Press
Y to capture the screen. If you have a Kinect, you can just say "Xbox, take a screenshot".
Step 5. Find the screenshot in the Upload Studio app, on the Manage Captures menu
You can then share the image to various social networks, or save it to OneDrive.
Method 10 of 10: Wii U
Step 1. Make sure you are logged into Miiverse
You must be connected to Miiverse to take and send screenshots. Read the guide to creating a Nintendo ID and signing in to Miiverse at wikiHow.
Step 2. Play the game until you want to capture the screen
You cannot capture the menu screen.
Step 3. Press the Home button on the controller to open the Home menu and pause the game
Step 4. Tap the Miiverse button to open your Miiverse game community
Step 5. Tap "Post" to open the "New Post" view
Step 6. Tap the "Screenshot" button at the top right corner of the screen
Step 7. Select the screenshot you mean
You can capture the TV screen or controller.
Step 8. Send screenshot
You can type or draw on a post, then save it to send to the Miiverse community.
Step 9. Visit Miiverse on your computer
To save a screenshot, you need to open it in Miiverse and download it to your computer. You can visit Miiverse at miiverse.nintendo.net.
Step 10. Go to the game community page you just visited
Once open, you can see the most recent posts. If you move fast, you may see your post at the very top.
Step 11. Click the image to open the full version
You can now save the screen display in full size.
Step 12. Right-click on the image, then click "Save Image As
.. . Name and save the image to your computer, so you can share or archive the image.
