How to Take a Screenshot Using a PC

All PCs can take screenshots. A screenshot is a picture of your computer screen taken from inside the operating system. Unlike taking a picture of your screen with a camera, a screenshot is a quality digital image located on your computer. Taking screenshots in Windows doesn't require additional software or complicated steps. Share the resulting image via email, instant messenger or a social network such as Facebook or Google+.

Instructions

1. • Set up the program, window or error of which you want to take a screenshot. Locate the "Print Screen" key on your keyboard. It may be abbreviated to "Prt Scn" or something similar.
     
   • 2
     Press the "Print Screen" key to take the screen shot. Open a program such as Microsoft Paint, Word or any other program capable of accepting images.
     
   • 3
     Press the "Ctrl" and "V" keys at the same time to paste the image into your program. In Microsoft Paint, you need to click "Yes" to expand the canvas for the image to fit. Save the file to share with others.
     

Tips & Warnings

• Press the "Fn" key on a laptop to use the "Print Screen" key if it is listed in smaller letters next to another function on a key.
• Type "Microsoft Paint" in the "Start" search box to run Paint.
• Click the "JPG" option in the "Save as type" option in Paint to save the image in a small format. Use the equivalent option in other programs to save the image in a small format for sharing.