Screenshot - Capture Screenshots Directly in Windows 8

[Brink]

ByLine

How to Capture a Screenshot Directly in Windows 8 and 8.1

Synopsis

This will show you how to capture a screenshot of everything on your display(s) and have it instantly saved as a PNG file directly into your Pictures folder in Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8.

How to Capture a Screenshot Directly in Windows 8 and 8.1​

   Information

This will show you how to capture a screenshot of everything on your display(s) and have it instantly saved as a PNG file directly into your C:\Users\(user-name)\Pictures\Screenshots folder without having to do anything else in Windows 8, Windows RT, Windows 8.1, and Windows RT 8.1.

You could also view the saved screenshot in your Pictures library.

   Tip

If you like, you are still also able to use the Ctrl+PrtScn, Alt+PrtScn, Fn+PrtScn (laptops/notebooks), or PrtScn keys to capture a screeshot into the clipboard, but you would need to use a image editor like Paint to copy the screenshot from the clipboard to edit and save the screenshot.

Here's How:


1. Do step 2, 3, or 4 for how you would like to capture a screenshot depending on what type of PC you have.

2. On all PCs, press the Windows + Print Screen (PrtScn) keys and release, then go to step 5 below.
NOTE: For laptops and notebooks, you may need to press either the Windows+Ctrl+PrtScn or Windows+Fn+PrtScn keys instead.

3. On a Surface tablet, press the Fn + Windows + Space Bar keys on the Type Cover and release, and go to step 5 below.

4. On tablets (ex: Surface), press and hold the capacitive Windows button on the front of the tablet, and press the volume down button on the volume rocker once, release both, then go to step 5 below. (see screenshot below)



5. You will now notice the screen quickly dim and return back to normal as a snapshot of your display(s) is captured as a screenshot. In Windows Phone 8, you will also hear a snapshot click sound.

   Note

You will only see the screen dim if you have the Animate windows when minimizing and maximizing turned on (checked) in your visual effects settings.

6. The screenshot is now saved in your C:\Users\(user-name)\Pictures\Screenshots folder named as Screenshot (#).png with # indicating the screenshot index counter. Each screenshot you take increases the counter # by one. (see screenshot below)




That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

---

• How to Take a Screenshot in Windows Phone 8 and 8.1
• How to Create a "Screenshot" Capture Shortcut in Windows 8 and 8.1
• How to Change the Default "Screenshots" Folder Location in Windows 8 and 8.1
• How to Reset the Screenshot Counter in Windows 8 and 8.1
• How to Take and Create a Screenshot with Paint in Windows 8 and 8.1
• How to Upload and Post a Screenshot and File in Eight Forums

 

[Airbot]

 

[bagavan]

Great tutorial brink.

 

[tcman50]

Can I change where it puts the screenshots, like to C:\Temp instead?

 

[Brink]

Hello Tcman,

So far, there's not a known way to change it.

 

[whs]

Great Shawn. How do you find all this stuff. I was still storing the prt scrn in Paint. I guess that is still OK if you want to make annotations.

 

[Brink]

Just from digging away, and from what others have helped spotted.

 

[papin97]

Will it work in Windows 7?

 

[Brink]

Hello Papin,

Sorry, but no. This is a new feauture included only in Windows 8.

 

[mikiep]

I made a quick launch home-made toolbar folder and stuck a shortcut in it to C:\Windows\System32\SnippingTool.exe for my screen grabs. So now by my hidden task bar programs is my quick launch shortcuts. snipping tool, photo editor, y messenger.

 

[bassfisher6522]

I just use the windows key and the print screen key and it takes a snap shot of the entire desktop and creates a folder in the pictures folder called snapshots and stores the snaps shots there for quick access. This also worked in windows 7.

 

[Brink]

Hello Jimbo,

Sorry mate, but this is not available in Windows 7 and only new to Windows 8.

It didn't work in any of my Windows 7. It would be nice though.

 

[bassfisher6522]

Hello Jimbo,

Sorry mate, but this is not available in Windows 7 and only new to Windows 8.

It didn't work in any of my Windows 7. It would be nice though.

Well I stand corrected...just checked my 7 ultimate laptop and you're right. It didn't work. So I wonder what the hell I did do....scratching my head in wonder now! Shite...memory, that the second things that goes when you get old....don't discuss that first thing.

 

[Brink]

LOL, I hear you.

Maybe a mislabeled VM?

 

[caperjack]

hi, i do not have the snapshot folder in mypictures ,and if i add it,it doesn't put the snap shot there

 

[Brink]

Hello Jack,

The Screenshots folder doesn't show up until after you pressed the Windows + Print Screen keys for the first time. Does it not do this for you?

 

[caperjack]

Hello Jack,

The Screenshots folder doesn't show up until after you pressed the Windows + Print Screen keys for the first time. Does it not do this for you?

no ,i tried it both ways ,,as you just said ,and making the folder myself ,just had a thought ,maybe something happed when i copied my picture folder from win7 ,from my usb backup and changed the structure of the original win8 mypicture folder , when i installed win8

 

[Brink]

Jack,

You might double check using OPTION TWO in the tutorial below to make sure that your "My Pictures" is set to it's default "C:\Users\(user-name)\My Pictures" location.

User Folders - Restore Default Location - Windows 7 Forums
As a test, see how the screenshot shortcut in the tutorial below works for you.

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/19255-screenshot-shortcut-create-windows-8-a.html

 

[caperjack]

thanks the screenshot shortcut file fixed it thanks again

 

[Brink]

Great news. You're welcome.