Capture Your Screen: How to Take Screenshots on Windows 8

There is a high chance of finding yourself in a situation where you need to take a screenshot of your display. You may need to take a screenshot to create “How To” content for your reader, or you may need to take a screenshot of a specific error to send it to your friend via email to get any solution.

Now, you may ask how to take screenshots on Windows 8. To find it out, read the following content.

Different Methods to Take Screenshot on Windows 8

Using Snipping Tool

When you want to take a screenshot from a specific part of your screen or want to specify your file location, you can use Snipping Tool on Windows 8.  Snipping Tool is available on Windows Vista and further versions. To use this tool, follow these steps:

1. Type Snipping Tool in the Charms bar and open the app.
2. Once the app popped up, click on the New option.
3. Then, click and drag your cursor to specify the range of your image. You can choose which type you want to capture the desktop. Open the New menu to select your desired way of capturing the display. These options are Free-form Snip, Rectangular Snip, Windows Snip, and Full-screen Snip.
4. Here, you can edit and draw on your image, then save it to your hard drive.

If you want to have quick access to the Snipping Tool, you can create a taskbar shortcut or a tile or do both of them.

To do so, use the following steps:

1. To show all applications, hold the Windows + Q hotkey.
2. Right-click on the Snipping Tool.
3. Select the Pin to Start option from the menu. Also, you can select the Pin to taskbar option from the menu.

You can create a desktop shortcut instead of creating a taskbar shortcut. To do that, follow the steps below:

1. To show all applications, hold the Windows + Q hotkey.
2. Right-click on the Snipping Tool.
3. Select the Open file location from the menu.
4. On the pop-up window, you can find the Snipping Tool. Select the app, then drag and drop it on your desktop.
5. Now, the Snipping Tool icon will appear on your desktop for quick use.

Using Window + Volume Down Hotkey

1. If you want to have a quick screenshot and you do not need any option to customize or edit it, you can press Windows + Volume Down hotkey.
2. Then, your screen will be dim, and the screenshot will be taken.
3. You can find your screenshot in the Picture folder and then the Screenshot folder. If you cannot find any screenshot folder, it will create automatically.

Using Window + PrtSc Hotkey

If you are using an external keyboard, you can hold the Window + PrtSc hotkey to capture a screenshot of your display. Like the method above, your image will save to the Picture>Screenshots folder.

Using PrtSc or Alt + PrtSc

The PrtSc button will take a screenshot and save it to your clipboard. If you want to save it, you need to paste it on any app that allows you to insert an image, such as Paint or Word. Also, Alt + PrtSc will take a screenshot of an individual window.

Wrapping Up

Now a day, you do not need to take note of some specifications or information that you will need later. Simply, you can take a screenshot of a specific window or your display to refer to it later when you require that information. Here, you can find various methods to take screenshots on Windows 8. Which method do you prefer? Do you know any other methods to capture a screenshot on Windows 8? Share your ideas with us.