How to Take a Screenshot on Mac, Windows & Chromebook: A Comprehensive Guide for 2024

Taking screenshots is a useful skill for work and personal tasks. Whether you need to capture an error message, a section of a webpage, or an important document, knowing how to take a screenshot quickly can save you time and effort.

There are several different ways to do it, and the methods differ across operating systems. This article will guide you through the steps for how to take a screenshot on MacOS, Windows, and Chromebook.

What is a Screenshot?

A screenshot, also known as a screen capture, is an image taken of whatever is displayed on your screen. Capturing what is displayed on your screen can be useful for sharing with another person or getting technical support assistance.

Types of Screenshots

There are three different types of screenshots:

1. Full screen: Captures the entire screen.
2. Window: Captures a specific window.
3. Partial: Captures a selected area of the screen.

How to Take a Screenshot on Mac

Taking a screenshot on a Mac is straightforward and can be done using keyboard shortcuts.

How to Customize the Screenshot Keyboard Shortcuts on a Mac

Where to Find Your Mac Screenshots

By default, screenshots are saved to your desktop. You can change this location by pressing Shift + Command (⌘) + 5 and selecting Options.

How to Take a Screenshot on Windows

Windows offers several ways to take screenshots:

Print Screen (PrtScn)

Captures the entire screen and copies it to the clipboard. Press PrtScn, then paste it into an application.

Windows + Print Screen

Captures the entire screen and saves it to the Screenshots folder.

Alt + Print Screen

Captures the active window and copies it to the clipboard.

Snipping Tool

Search for “Snipping Tool” in the Start menu or Press Windows + Shift + S. This is the shortcut for the old Snip & Sketch tool which has been merged with the Snipping Tool as of Windows 11. Use it to capture free-form, rectangular, window, or full-screen snips.

Windows + Volume Down

On a tablet, press these buttons to capture the screen.

XBox Game Bar

Press Windows + G to open the Game Bar and use the capture feature to take screenshots.

Microsoft PowerPoint

On the slide where you want to insert the screenshot, click on the Insert tab, choose the Screenshot Tool, and click the Screenshot button in the Images group. A drop-down menu will show thumbnails of all the windows you have open. Choose one of these thumbnails to capture a window, or click Screen Clipping at the bottom of the drop-down menu.

How to Take a Screenshot on a Chromebook

Chromebooks also offer several methods to capture screenshots. Chromebooks are designed with simplicity and ease of use in mind, so taking screenshots is a straightforward process.

Screenshot on a Chromebook with a Keyboard Shortcut

Using keyboard shortcuts is one of the quickest ways to take screenshots on a Chromebook.

1. Full screen: Press Ctrl + Show Windows (the rectangle with two lines).
2. Partial: Press Ctrl + Shift + Show Windows, then click and drag to select the area.

Screenshot on a Chromebook from Quick Settings

The Quick Settings menu provides another convenient way to take screenshots, particularly useful if you prefer a graphical interface over keyboard shortcuts.

1. Click the time in the bottom right corner to open Quick Settings.
2. Click the Screen Capture icon.
3. Choose either full-screen, window, or partial screenshot from the toolbar.

Where Screenshots are Saved on a Chromebook

By default, all screenshots taken on a Chromebook are saved to the Downloads folder.

To access them:

• Click the Launcher and open the Files app.
• Select Downloads from the left-hand sidebar. Your screenshots will be listed, typically with a file name starting with “Screenshot” followed by the date and time they were taken.
• You can open, move, or share these files as needed.

The Bottom Line

Knowing how to take a screenshot on various devices can enhance your productivity and communication. Each operating system provides multiple methods to capture the screen, allowing you to choose the one that best fits your needs.

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