How to Print Screen Surface Laptop: Easy Steps for Beginners

Are you a Surface Laptop user who needs to capture your screen for presentations, documentation, or simply to share a cool image with friends? You’ve come to the right place! This guide will walk you through various methods on how to print screen Surface Laptop, ensuring you can capture any content with ease.

The Classic Print Screen Key (PrtScn)

Let’s start with the most basic and readily available method: the Print Screen key (often labeled PrtScn). This key captures the entire screen and stores it in your clipboard.
1. Press the “Print Screen” key. You can usually find it on the top right corner of your keyboard, often near the “Scroll Lock” and “Pause Break” keys.
2. Open an image editor. We recommend using an app like Paint, Photoshop, or even Microsoft Word.
3. Paste the screenshot. Use the Ctrl + V shortcut or right-click and select “Paste.” Your screenshot will appear in the editor.
4. Save your screenshot. Choose a location and file format (e.g., PNG, JPG) to save your capture.

The Snipping Tool: For Targeted Captures

For more control over what you capture, the Snipping Tool is your go-to option. This built-in Windows tool allows you to select a specific area of your screen.
1. Open the Snipping Tool. Search for “Snipping Tool” in the Windows search bar and click to open it.
2. Choose a snipping mode. The Snipping Tool offers different modes:

• Free-form: Draw a freehand shape around the area you want to capture.
• Rectangular: Select a rectangular area by dragging your mouse.
• Window: Capture the entire content of a specific window.
• Full-screen: Capture the entire screen, similar to the Print Screen key.

3. Capture your screen. After choosing a mode, click “New” and then select the area you want to capture.
4. Save or edit your screenshot. The Snipping Tool lets you edit your capture directly. You can save it as a PNG or JPG file.

Windows Key + Print Screen: A Shortcut for Quick Captures

If you want to quickly capture your entire screen and save it directly to a file, this shortcut is for you:
1. Press the “Windows Key” and “Print Screen” key simultaneously. This will automatically capture your entire screen and save it as a PNG file in your “Pictures” folder, under a “Screenshots” subfolder.

The Surface Pen: An Intuitive Way to Capture

If you own a Surface Pen, you can leverage its intuitive features to capture screenshots:
1. Open the “Windows Ink Workspace.” You can find it by clicking the “Pen” icon on your taskbar.
2. Select “Screen Sketch.” This will open a window where you can capture your screen.
3. Choose your capture mode. You can capture the entire screen, a rectangular area, or a freehand shape.
4. Annotate your screenshot. The Surface Pen allows you to annotate your screenshot directly in the Screen Sketch window.
5. Save your screenshot. Click the “Save” button to save your annotated screenshot.

The “Win + Shift + S” Shortcut: For Flexible Selection

This shortcut offers the flexibility of selecting a specific area of your screen and then choosing whether to save it or copy it to your clipboard.
1. Press “Windows Key + Shift + S” simultaneously. This will dim your screen and activate a selection mode.
2. Select your area. Use your mouse to drag a rectangle around the area you want to capture.
3. Choose a destination. You can either save the screenshot directly to your “Pictures” folder or copy it to your clipboard for later pasting.

Beyond the Basics: Third-Party Tools

While the built-in methods are excellent, you can further enhance your screenshot experience with third-party tools. Some popular options include:

• Lightshot: This free tool allows you to capture your screen, upload it to the cloud, and share it easily.
• Snagit: This powerful tool offers advanced features like video recording, scrolling screenshots, and image editing.
• ShareX: This open-source tool provides a wide range of features, including custom shortcuts, automatic uploads, and image annotation.

The Final Word: Choosing the Right Tool for Your Needs

Now that you’ve explored various methods to capture your screen on a Surface Laptop, it’s time to choose the best option for your specific requirements.
If you need a quick and simple screenshot, the classic “Print Screen” key or the “Windows Key + Print Screen” shortcut are excellent choices. For more control and flexibility, the Snipping Tool or the “Win + Shift + S” shortcut are ideal. If you want advanced features and annotation capabilities, consider using a third-party tool like Lightshot, Snagit, or ShareX.

Questions You May Have

Q1: Can I capture a screenshot on a Surface Laptop with a touchscreen?
A: Yes, you can use your finger to touch the screen and activate the “Win + Shift + S” shortcut, which will allow you to select a specific area to capture.
Q2: How can I capture a scrolling screenshot on a Surface Laptop?
A: While the built-in tools don’t offer scrolling screenshots, you can use third-party tools like Snagit or ShareX. These tools allow you to capture the entire length of a webpage or document.
Q3: How can I take a screenshot of a specific window on a Surface Laptop?
A: You can use the “Window” mode in the Snipping Tool to capture the entire content of a specific window.
Q4: Can I edit my screenshots on a Surface Laptop?
A: Yes, you can use the Snipping Tool to edit your screenshots directly. You can also use other image editing apps like Paint, Photoshop, or even Microsoft Word.
Q5: Where are my screenshots saved on a Surface Laptop?
A: Screenshots taken using the “Windows Key + Print Screen” shortcut are saved in the “Pictures” folder, under a “Screenshots” subfolder. Screenshots taken using other methods will be saved in the location you choose during the saving process.