How to Screenshot on Windows Without Print Screen | Methods

How to Screenshot on Windows Without Print Screen

Learn How to Screenshot on Windows Without Print Screen easy methods taking screenshots is an essential task for many users, whether for work, study or simply sharing information.

While the "Print Screen" (PrtScn) key is probably the old way to take screenshots on Windows nowadays, most users don't find it convenient. If your keyboard doesn't have a Print Screen button, or you want an easier and faster way to take screenshots, there are some other ways to take screenshots without using the Print Screen key to print screenshots on Windows.

Here, we will detail some effective alternatives that will help you take screenshots easily.

Why Skip the Print Screen Button?

There are many reasons why you would like to avoid the Print Screen key:

• Missing key: Some laptops or compact keyboards don’t have a dedicated Print Screen button.
• Multiple steps: Use the Print Screen button usually by pasting the image in another program such as Paint to save the screenshot.
• Limited functionality: The Print Screen button captures the entire screen, which would not be of much use if you want to capture only a portion of it.

To solve these problems, Windows itself contains built-in tools and shortcuts that can capture screenshots more flexibly. Let's take a look at these options.

1. Snipping Tool – Windows’ Built-In Screenshot Tool

In fact, the best substitute for the Print Screen key is the Snipping Tool a free native Windows utility available in Windows 7, 8, 10, and 11. Using it, you can take pictures of your screen in a few rather creative ways.

Steps to Use the Snipping Tool:

1. Open the Snipping Tool:
   • Press the Start button and type “Snipping Tool” in the search bar.
   • Click on the tool to open it.
2. Select Your Mode:
   • Click on the Mode option to choose from:
     • Free-form Snip: Draw a freehand shape around what you want to capture.
     • Rectangular Snip: Capture a rectangular section of your screen.
     • Window Snip: Select a specific window to capture.
     • Full-screen Snip: Capture the entire screen.
3. Capture the Screenshot:
   • After selecting your mode, click and drag to select the area or window you want to capture.
4. Save the Screenshot:
   • The snip will open in the Snipping Tool window. You can annotate, save, or copy it from there.

The Snipping Tool is simple and effective for taking more precise screenshots without needing a Print Screen key.

2. Snip & Sketch – Enhanced Screenshot Tool for Windows 10 and 11

Snip & Sketch, on the other hand, is an upgraded Snipping Tool offering additional functionalities that are easy to use with Windows 10 and 11. Of course, for taking a snapshot of a window or area with what you would like to capture selected, there's an option of annotating the image and sharing it without necessarily going out to third-party applications.

Steps to Use Snip & Sketch:

1. Open Snip & Sketch:
   • Press Windows + Shift + S to open the snipping bar.
2. Select Your Capture Mode:
   • Just like with the Snipping Tool, you can choose between rectangular, freeform, window, and full-screen snips.
3. Capture the Screenshot:
   • Once you’ve made your selection, the image will be copied to your clipboard.
4. Edit and Save:
   • A notification will appear asking if you want to annotate the image. Click the notification to open the editor. From there, you can crop, highlight, or draw on the image before saving it.

This method is much faster and more versatile than the old Print Screen key.

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3. Windows + Shift + S – A Quick Screenshot Shortcut

If you don't want to open any tool but still want some flexibility, your best option is Windows + Shift + S. This is the default hotkey in Windows 10 and 11, you can quickly capture parts of your screen without opening up an app for it.

How It Works:

1. Press Windows + Shift + S:
   • This combination opens the snipping toolbar directly on your screen.
2. Choose Your Screenshot Type:
   • Select from the same snip modes available in Snip & Sketch (rectangular, freeform, window, or full-screen).
3. Screenshot Copied to Clipboard:
   • Your selection will be copied to your clipboard. You can then paste it into any application, such as Paint, Word, or an email, using Ctrl + V.

This method is suited for use by individuals wanting a fast and simple way to capture specific parts of their screen.

4. Game Bar – Ideal for Capturing Screenshots in Games

This is a built-in tool for gamers but it can be used by anyone who wants to capture screenshots, especially while gaming or when running fullscreen apps.

Steps to Capture a Screenshot with Game Bar:

1. Open Game Bar:
   • Press Windows + G to bring up the Game Bar overlay.
2. Use the Capture Feature:
   • In the Game Bar window, you’ll see a camera icon for screenshots.
   • Click on the camera icon or press Windows + Alt + PrtScn to capture a screenshot.
3. View and Save Screenshots:
   • Screenshots will be saved automatically in the Videos > Captures folder.

That gives Game Bar an excellent opportunity for every gamer since they will be able to take screenshots of high quality immediately right from their game screen.

5. Third-party tools for Advanced Screenshot Options

Aside from the above basic screenshot options of Windows, there are third-party advanced tools that it could provide, which include editing, sharing, and cloud storage options. Some popular choices include:

• Lightshot: A lightweight app that allows you to select a part of the screen, edit it, and upload it to the cloud instantly.
• Greenshot: A free tool that provides multiple capture modes, advanced editing options, and direct sharing capabilities.

All these tools are ideal for users with heightened flexibility needs or require additional features such as cloud storage, direct uploads, or hotkeys.

6. Windows Snip Keyboard Shortcuts for Power Users

There's the keyboard shortcut way, for those who want to be more efficient. Below are some useful shortcuts for capturing screenshots on Windows:

• Windows + Shift + S: Open the snipping bar for quick snips.
• Alt + PrtScn: Capture the active window (if your keyboard has a Print Screen button).
• Windows + PrtScn: Capture the entire screen and save it to the Screenshots folder automatically.
• Fn + Windows + Spacebar: Capture the entire screen on certain laptops that lack a dedicated Print Screen button.

Thus, by using the tools and methods mentioned above, capturing screenshots using no Print Screen key is easy without hassle, very flexible, and thus accessible to all types of users. When they use such shortcuts, they can streamline the processes and save so much time used to take screenshots.

Conclusion

Anyone can easily take a screenshot without a Print Screen button with Windows. Such screenshots are managed by applications that are already integrated with the system, as well as keyboard shortcuts, especially for different users. According to convenience, Snipping Tool or Snip & Sketch can be used for the purpose, and some may even rely on the Game Bar. Advanced features of more functionalities can be sought through third-party tools such as Lightshot and Greenshot. You can easily capture your screen through these methods, and you do not necessarily need the Print Screen button.