How to Use the Print Screen Key to Capture an Image

Making a copy of your computer screen is often the easiest way to save an important page, or to help a tech professional solve a problem on your computer. Saving a copy of your screen doesn't require the purchase of software; a single key on your keypad will do the trick.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Microsoft Paint or similar program

1. Check that your computer screen is showing the information you want to capture in an image. This method only captures what you see on the screen.

2. Hold down "CTRL" and press "Prt Sc." This key is usually on the top right-hand side of the main keyboard.

3. Open Paint by clicking "Start," "All Programs," "Accessories" and "Paint." Open a new file. Click "Edit" and "Paste" or "Ctrl" and "V" to paste the print screen.

4. Save the image to your hard drive or print it out.

5. Perform simple edits in Paint like cropping parts of the image.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure the information you want to record is visible

• Don't copy and reuse a picture that is copyrighted!