Screenshotting is one of the most essential features of any computer operating system. It allows us to capture an image of what we have on our screens for future reference or sharing with others. However, sometimes we do not need to capture the entire screen; instead, we only require a specific area of the screen. In such cases, knowing how to screenshot a specific area on Windows can save us a lot of time, effort, and energy. In this article, we’ll walk you through the step-by-step process of how to do this with ease.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Screenshot a Specific Area on Windows
Step 1: Open the Application or Program You Wish to Screenshot
Before taking a screenshot, open the application or program that you want to capture. Whether it’s a web page, a text document, an image, or a software interface, make sure that it is displayed on your screen.
Step 2: Press and Hold the Windows Key
Find the Windows key on your keyboard, which is usually located on the bottom left corner, and press and hold it down.
Step 3: Press the Shift Key + S
While holding down the Windows key, press and hold the Shift key, then press the S key. This combination will activate the built-in screenshot tool called Snipping Tool.
Step 4: Open Snipping Tool
Once you press Shift + S, Snipping Tool will appear on your screen. If the app does not open automatically, press the “Start” button, type “Snipping Tool,” and open the app from there.
Step 5: Choose the Snip Shape
In the Snipping Tool window, click “New” to initiate a new screenshot. Choose the snipping shape that you prefer from “Rectangular Snip,” “Free-form Snip,” “Window Snip” or “Full-screen Snip”. The rectangular snip shape is the most commonly used one.
Step 6: Select the Area You Want to Screenshot
After choosing the snip shape, use your cursor to select the area that you want to screenshot. Hold and drag the cursor to outline the area you want to include. You can refine the selection by holding down the shift key while dragging the cursor.
Step 7: Save the Screenshot
Once you have selected the area you want to screenshot, you can either save the image or copy it to your clipboard. To save the screenshot as an image file, select “File” > “Save As,” name the file, select the save location, and choose the image format.
Step 8: Annotate and Edit the Screenshot
You can use the built-in tools on Snipping Tool to annotate and edit the screenshot as necessary. These tools include the ability to highlight, draw, and crop the image before you save it to your computer.
Step 9: Use the Screenshot for Your Needs
Once you have saved or copied the screenshot, you can use it for your needs, whether it’s for sharing with others, keeping it for reference, or any other use.
Step 10: Use the Windows + Print Screen Key to Take a Quick Screenshot
If you don’t want to use Snipping Tool, use the Windows + Print Screen key combination to take a quick screenshot of the entire screen. This will save a screenshot directly to your computer’s Pictures folder. You can also access this folder by pressing “Windows + E” and navigating to Pictures > Screenshots.
Step 11: Use Third-Party Screenshot Applications
While Windows has a built-in screenshot tool, it may not be the most advanced or efficient one available. Several third-party screenshot applications offer more features, including the ability to capture scrolling web pages, timed screenshots, and cloud storage. Some of the popular options include Lightshot, Greenshot, and ShareX.
Step 12: Update Your Windows
Finally, it’s recommended to update your Windows regularly to ensure that you have access to the latest features and improvements. To do this, open the “Settings” app and select “Updates & Security” and then click on “Check for updates.”
Other Tips & Tricks for Screenshotting on Windows
Tip 1: Use the Delay Feature
Snipping Tool offers a delay feature that allows you to wait for a few seconds before capturing the screenshot. To activate this option, click “Delay” in the Snipping Tool window, and choose the time you want to wait before the screenshot is taken.
Tip 2: Use Shortcut Keys for Snipping Tool
Instead of having to open Snipping Tool each time, you can use the shortcut key combination Ctrl + Alt + S to open the app. Alternatively, you can right-click on the Windows icon and choose “Snipping Tool” from the context menu.
Tip 3: Use Snipping Tool for Videos
Snipping Tool can also capture video footage as well as screenshots. To do this, click “New,” choose “Rectangular Snip,” then click the “Record” button.
Tip 4: Use the Print Screen Key to Take Screenshots of Keyboard Shortcuts
If you want to capture a screenshot of a keyboard shortcut list, press “Print Screen” to capture the entire screen, then paste the image into a word processor or image editor and crop it to the desired size.
Tip 5: Use Third-Party Screenshot Tools for Sharing and Cloud Storage
Third-party screenshot tools such as ShareX offer cloud storage options, which are great for sharing files with others or backing up your files.
Tip 6: Use Snipping Tool’s Pen Tool to Highlight Text
After taking a screenshot, use the Snipping Tool’s pen tool to highlight or underline important text.
Tip 7: Save Screenshots in PNG Format for Best Quality
When saving screenshots, choose PNG format for the best quality. JPEG format is suitable for screenshots that have lots of colors or gradients.
Tip 8: Use the Magnifier Tool
The magnifier tool can help you refine your screenshot selection by zooming in on a particular area of the screen.
Tip 9: Use the Windows + Shift + S Key Combination
Windows 10 has a new screenshot tool that allows you to select a specific area of the screen using the Windows + Shift + S key combination.
Tip 10: Use Keyboard Shortcuts for Snipping Tool Tools
Snipping Tool has built-in keyboard shortcuts that you can use to quickly access the various tools. Press Alt + N to create a new screenshot, F1 to open the help menu, and Esc to cancel the current snip.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Taking Screenshots of a Specific Area on Windows
If you are a Windows user, you probably know that taking screenshots is a useful feature that is built into the operating system. With this feature, anyone can quickly grab an image of what is displayed on their computer screen and share it with others. Taking a screenshot of a specific area can be even more helpful since it allows you to focus on a particular portion of your screen. However, just like any other tool, taking screenshots also comes with its own advantages and disadvantages.
Advantages
| Advantages | Explanation |
| 1. Easy to Use | Taking a screenshot of a specific area on Windows is relatively easy and can be done quickly. |
| 2. Saves Time | With a specific area screenshot, you can save time by only capturing what you need without having to crop the image later. |
| 3. Useful for Tutorials and Presentations | Screenshots of specific areas are useful for creating tutorials, presentations, and other educational materials. |
| 4. Helps in Troubleshooting | Taking screenshots of error messages or issues and sending them to technical support can help troubleshoot problems more efficiently. |
| 5. No Additional Software Required | The screenshot tool is built into Windows, so there is no need to download any additional software. |
Disadvantages
| Disadvantages | Explanation |
| 1. Limited Editing Options | Windows built-in screenshot tool has limited editing options compared to third-party screenshot software. |
| 2. Cannot Capture Video | The Windows built-in screenshot tool only captures still images and does not have the capability to capture video. |
| 3. Cannot Capture Multiple Screens | Windows built-in screenshot tool cannot capture multiple screens at once. |
| 4. Captured Images Can be Large in Size | The high resolution of captured images of specific areas can result in large file sizes, which could take up a lot of disk space or be challenging to upload. |
| 5. May Not Capture Certain Content | The Windows built-in screenshot tool may not capture certain content, such as video players or some desktop apps. |
Overall, taking a screenshot of a specific area on Windows has its advantages and disadvantages. As a Windows user, it is essential to understand them and choose the appropriate tool for your specific task.
FAQ
1. How do I take a screenshot of a specific area on Windows?
To take a screenshot of a specific area on Windows, press the “Windows Key + Shift + S”. This will open the Snipping tool, and you can select the part of the screen you want to capture.
2. How do I save a screenshot?
After capturing the screenshot, you can save it by clicking on the “Save” button in the Snipping tool. You can choose where to save the file and what to name it.
3. Can I use a keyboard shortcut to take a screenshot?
Yes, you can press the “Windows Key + Print Screen” to take a screenshot. The screenshot will be saved in the Pictures folder.
4. How can I take a screenshot of a specific window?
Press the “Alt + Print Screen” keyboard shortcut to capture the active window on your screen. The screenshot will be saved in the Pictures folder.
5. Can I edit a screenshot after taking it?
Yes, you can edit a screenshot using the built-in Paint program on Windows. Open the screenshot in Paint, and use the tools to make any necessary edits.
6. How do I take a screenshot of a video or game on Windows?
You can use the “Game Bar” feature on Windows to capture screenshots of videos or games. Press “Windows Key + G” to open the Game Bar, and then click on the camera icon to capture a screenshot.
7. Can I take a screenshot without opening any program?
Yes, you can take a screenshot without opening any program by using the “Print Screen” key on your keyboard. The screenshot will be saved in the Pictures folder.
8. How do I take a full-screen screenshot?
Press the “Windows Key + Print Screen” to capture a full-screen screenshot. The screenshot will be saved in the Pictures folder.
9. Can I capture a screenshot using a third-party program?
Yes, there are many third-party programs available that can capture screenshots on Windows. Some popular options include Snagit, Greenshot, and Lightshot.
10. How do I take a screenshot on a laptop without a print screen button?
You can take a screenshot on a laptop without a print screen button by pressing the “Windows Key + Shift + S” keyboard shortcut. This will open the Snipping tool, and you can select the part of the screen you want to capture.
11. How do I take a screenshot on a Surface tablet?
To take a screenshot on a Surface tablet, press the “Windows Logo + Volume Down” button at the same time. The screenshot will be saved in the Screenshots folder in the Pictures library.
12. Can I take a screenshot of a scrolling window?
Yes, you can take a screenshot of a scrolling window using the Snagit program. Open the scrolling window, select the scrolling capture option in Snagit, and follow the on-screen instructions.
13. How do I use the “Snipping Tool” on Windows 10?
To use the Snipping tool on Windows 10, click on the “Start” button, search for “Snipping tool,” and click on the app to open it. From there, select the “New” button to take a screenshot of a specific area on your screen.
How to Screenshot a Specific Area on Windows
Have you ever found something interesting on your Windows screen and want to save it as a screenshot? In Windows, taking a screenshot is very easy. But what if you only want to capture a specific area of the screen? Here’s how to do it.
First, open the program or application that you want to take a screenshot of. Then, press the “Windows Logo Key + Shift + S” on your keyboard. This will open the Snipping tool. Alternatively, you can also search for Snipping tool in the Start menu and open it from there.
Once the Snipping Tool is open, you have the choice to capture four different types of snips – Free-form Snip, Rectangular Snip, Window Snip, and Full-screen Snip. Choose the Rectangular Snip for capturing a specific area of your Windows screen.
To select the specific area that you want to capture, click and drag your mouse cursor to create a rectangle around the area you want to capture. After completing the selection, the Snipping Tool will automatically save the screenshot to your clipboard.
You can now easily paste your screenshot to any program such as Microsoft Word or Paint and save it as an image file. You can also directly save your screenshot using the Snipping Tool. Just click on the “Save As” button and choose where you want to save your file.
In conclusion, taking a screenshot of a specific area in Windows screen is very easy using the Snipping Tool. You can choose the area you want to capture, and then save it to the clipboard or directly to a file.
Closing
Taking a screenshot is an essential skill for anyone who uses a computer. Learning how to capture a specific area of your Windows screen is a simple process that can save you time and make your work much easier. With the tips in this article, you can take a screenshot of a specific area with ease. We hope this article was helpful for you, and we’ll see you in the next one.