How to Take a Screenshot on Windows XP

Screenshots are commonly used to illustrate procedures in tutorials on numerous PC related topics. Even if you don't possess nifty tools and software to produce screenshots, you can still make your own. Here is a simple way to take a screenshot on Windows XP.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• PC
• MS Paint or other photo-editing software
• Keyboard

1. 
    

   Open up MS Paint or any other Photo-editing software you wish to use. MS Paint is best for simple shots that don't require any color alteration, however photo-editing software such as Adobe Photoshop can allow you to create professional looking illustrations. You just need to decide how many bells and whistles you need!

2. 
    

   Choose the screen to capture in your screenshot. For demonstration purposes, I'll be using Yahoo! Mail...mainly because I'm doing something else with that. Exciting, I know. Marvel at the splendid split pea green color scheme!

3. 
    

   When you have the screen in view that you wish to capture, simply press Ctrl + Prt Scr on your keyboard. This has effectively taken a 'snapshot' of the screen as you see it, and has saved it to your clipboard.

4. 
    

   Now, simply go back to MS Paint, click Edit and then choose Paste. Your screenshot, in very large fashion, should appear within the MS Paint screen. If not, repeat Step 3 and try again.

5. Continue to crop, resize, and draw on your newly captured screenshot until you are satisfied. Now, make sure to save your screenshot in whatever format you need.

Tips & Warnings

• For the love of all your viewers who suffer through dial-up, save your screenshots as .jpeg files rather than .bmp files.
• Not much danger in doing a screenshot. Unless you feel that you may be blinded by the brilliance of your newfound skill! Then, get some protective eye goggles or something.

Resources

• Check Out All These Screenshots!!

[jcbass7]

on 7/20/2009 Great How too, just used this and works awesome!

[Miragi]

on 6/21/2009 Thanks, Rufus! I'm tickled that you liked the instructions so much! Enjoy the new skill! :D

[ruf1950]

on 6/21/2009 I typed "how to take a screen shot" in my search engine and look what popped up ;)! Just what I was looking for. Excellent and simple (that's why I said excellent) instructions. Thank you. 5*****

[Miragi]

on 1/27/2009 Glad I wrote something useful!! Have fun with the new toy, Carson. Yes, new av. Thanks!! :)

[sixstring2slim]

on 1/27/2009 Unbelievable! It works great... now I gotta find something to play with, take care Mi, New Avatar? (Sweet!) Baileysan