How to Take Screenshots on a Vista PC

A screenshot of a desktop.

Screenshots work well for different purposes such as showing technical support an error or bug, creating a presentation or sharing something from your computer screen. Previous versions of Windows required you to use the print screen key and a graphical program such as Paint or Photoshop to create a screenshot. Windows Vista includes a new program called the Snipping Tool. The Snipping Tool lets you create screenshots of the entire screen, a specific window, a selected rectangle or a free-form shape of your choice.

Things You'll Need

• A computer
• Vista
• Memory

Instructions

1. Open the "Start" menu and click "All Programs." Open the "Accessories" folder and click the "Snipping Tool" item.

2. Click the "New" button arrow and select "Free-form Snip," "Rectangular Snip," "Window Snip" or "Full-screen Snip." The Free-form and Window Rectangular options let you draw around the part of the screen you want to capture using your mouse. Click on a Window to capture a Window Snip and click to activate the Full-screen Snip option.

3. Use your mouse in the Snipping Tool window to write or draw over the screenshot if necessary. Click the "Save Snip" button when you're finished to save your snip for sharing via email or another method.

Tips & Warnings

• Windows 7 includes the same Snipping Tool.

References

• Microsoft: Use Snipping Tool to Capture Screenshots