How to take a screenshot on laptops

A screenshot is handy whenever you need to show something on-screen to someone quickly. It’s also nifty for recording key parts of a lecture or meeting. 

It’s as easy as swiping on your screen or tapping a button on a smartphone. If you have a laptop, that can vary depending on its brand and model.

READ: How to use ChatGPT customized instructions

This article will guide you through the most common ways to take a screenshot on your Windows and Apple computers. 

How to take a screenshot on your computer

You may capture a screenshot by pressing the Print Screen (PrtSc or PrtScn) button on the keyboard.

If that doesn’t work, press the Function (Fn) and PrtScn buttons simultaneously. Otherwise, try these other combinations:

• Windows Key + PrtSc
• Fn + Windows Key + Space Bar

You may also take more customized screenshots with the Snip & Sketch tool. Press the Windows Key + Shift + S to open a mini menu at the top of your screen.

Then, you may choose how you’d like to take a screenshot with these options:

• Rectangular: Size a rectangle for your screenshot.
• Free-form: Draw on the screen with your cursor to take a snapshot.
• Window: Choose a specific window to capture. 
• Full-screen: Take an image of your entire screen.

Nowadays, most Windows laptops have the Game Bar, which lets you take screenshots and record videos. Here’s how it works: 

1. Press the Windows Key + G.
2. Next, click the Capture button, which has a camera icon.
3. Click the camera icon in the Capture menu to snap an image.

Some devices will have unique ways of capturing your screen. For example, if you have Windows 10 on a Microsoft Surface device, press the Power button + Volume Up button.

Those with the Surface 3 or earlier must press the Windows Logo + Volume Down button.

You can find your saved images in the Screenshots folder in the Pictures folder.

How to take a screenshot on a Chromebook

If you have a Google Chromebook, press the Screenshot key. Alternatively, the official Google website recommends these methods: 

• Click Settings at the bottom right of your screen. Then, click the Screen Capture button. 
• Press Shift + C + the Show Windows key.
• If your keyboard doesn’t have Show Windows, press Ctrl + Shift + F5. 

After using these button combos, select the Screenshot button at the bottom menu. Next, select whether you want a full, partial, or window screenshot.

How to take a screenshot on a Mac

Apple computers have different keyboard buttons, so they have unique screenshot button combos. 

Take a snapshot of the entire screen by pressing Shift + Cmd + 3 simultaneously. Then, click the thumbnail to edit the screenshot or wait for your Mac to save it.

If you only need a partial snapshot, press Shift + Command + 4. Then, drag the crosshair to select the part you wish to capture. 

If you want to capture a window or menu, press Shift + Cmd + 4 + Space Bar. Next, click on a menu or window to save it as an image. 

Exclude the window’s shadow by pressing and holding the Option key while clicking.

Macs save screenshots to your desktop with the name “Screen Shot [date] at [time].png.”