How to Use Print Screen

On Windows

1. Find your computer's "Print Screen" key. It's usually in the upper-right side of the keyboard, right a key or two of the F12 key. The "Print Screen" key usually has "sys req" ("System Requirements") written on it as well.

   1. The "Print Screen" key might be labeled "prt sc", "prt scr", "print scr", and so on.
   2. If the "Print Screen" (or similar) text is below other text on the key, you may have to hold down the Fn key while pressing the "Print Screen" key. Look for Fn in the lower-left side of your keyboard.

2. Find the Windows ⊞ Win key. The Windows logo key is usually in the lower-left side of the keyboard. Holding down the Windows key while pressing the "Print Screen" key will take a snapshot of your entire screen's contents.

   1. On Windows 8 and prior, you cannot take a screenshot using the ⊞ Win key.

3. Go to a screen that you want to screenshot. Navigate to a page that you want to take a screenshot of. Keep in mind that everything on the screen (except your mouse pointer) will appear in the screenshot.

4. Hold down the ⊞ Win key. Do so firmly, and don't release the ⊞ Win key until after you've taken your screenshot.

   1. If you determined that you'll need to use the Fn key, hold that key down as well.
   2. Skip this step if you're on Windows 8 or prior.

5. Press firmly the ⎙ Print Screen key. You should see your computer's screen dim for a brief moment. At this point, you can release the "Print Screen" key and the Windows key.

   1. If the screen doesn't dim, try using the Fn key if you didn't, or don't use it if you did.
   2. Sometimes Windows won't recognize your screenshots the first couple of times that you attempt to take them, so try a few times.

6. View your screenshots. After you've taken a few screenshots, your computer will create a "Screenshots" folder in the "Pictures" folder, which can be found by opening Start

   , clicking File Explorer

   , and clicking the Pictures tab on the left of the File Explorer window.

   1. If you're on Windows 8 or prior, your computer won't create the screenshots folder. Instead, open Start (or Search on Windows 8), type in paint, click Paint when it appears, and paste in your screenshot by pressing Ctrl+V. You can then save the screenshot by clicking File, clicking Save, and clicking Save in the pop-up window.