How to Screenshot in Surface Laptop: The Ultimate Guide

Key points

Whether you need to document a specific error, share a funny meme, or save a vital piece of information, knowing how to take a screenshot is essential.
Surface Laptops come with a built-in screenshot feature that allows you to capture a screenshot and immediately save it to your Pictures folder.
If you need to capture a screenshot of a particular window, you can use a simple keyboard shortcut.

Capturing a screenshot on your Surface Laptop is a fundamental skill that comes in handy for various purposes. Whether you need to document a specific error, share a funny meme, or save a vital piece of information, knowing how to take a screenshot is essential.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through all the methods available, covering both basic and advanced techniques. By the end, you’ll be a screenshot pro, ready to capture anything on your Surface Laptop screen with ease.

The Classic Shortcut: Print Screen (PrtScn) Key

The most straightforward method for taking a screenshot is using the Print Screen (PrtScn) key. Here’s how it works:
1. Locate the Print Screen key: This key is usually found in the top right corner of your keyboard, often labeled “PrtScn” or “Print Screen”.
2. Press the key: Simply press the Print Screen key once. You won’t see anything happen on your screen, but the screenshot is captured and stored in your clipboard.
3. Paste the screenshot: Open a photo editing program like Paint or Photoshop, and paste the screenshot using Ctrl + V.
While this method is simple, it captures the entire screen, which might not always be desirable.

Capturing a Specific Area: The Snipping Tool

For taking screenshots of specific sections of your screen, the Snipping Tool is your go-to solution. Here’s how to use it:
1. Open the Snipping Tool: Search for “Snipping Tool” in the Windows search bar and open the application.
2. Choose your snipping mode: The Snipping Tool offers various modes:

Free-form snip: Draw a freehand shape to capture any irregular area.
Rectangular snip: Select a rectangular area by dragging the cursor.
Window snip: Capture the contents of a specific window.
Full-screen snip: Take a screenshot of the entire screen.

3. Capture the screenshot: Once you’ve selected the desired mode, click the “New” button to start capturing.
4. Edit and save: After capturing, you can edit the screenshot using basic tools like a pen, highlighter, and eraser. Save the edited screenshot in your desired location.

The Power of Windows Key + Shift + S

Windows 10 and 11 introduced a more streamlined method for taking screenshots using the keyboard shortcut Windows Key + Shift + S. Here’s how it works:
1. Press the shortcut: Simultaneously press the Windows Key, Shift Key, and S Key.
2. Select the area: Your screen will dim, and your cursor will transform into a crosshair. Drag the cursor to select the area you want to capture.
3. View the screenshot: The captured screenshot will be automatically saved to your clipboard. You can then paste it into any image editing program.
This method is quick and efficient, providing a simple way to capture specific areas of your screen without opening any additional tools.

Using the Built-in Screenshot Feature

Surface Laptops come with a built-in screenshot feature that allows you to capture a screenshot and immediately save it to your Pictures folder. Here’s how to use it:
1. Open the Action Center: Click the notification icon in the taskbar to open the Action Center.
2. Find the screenshot icon: Look for the “Screenshot” icon in the Action Center. It typically resembles a camera or a square with a dotted outline.
3. Click the screenshot icon: Clicking the icon will immediately capture a full-screen screenshot.
4. View the screenshot: The screenshot will be saved to your Pictures folder under a subfolder named “Screenshots”.

Taking Screenshots of Specific Windows

If you need to capture a screenshot of a particular window, you can use a simple keyboard shortcut:
1. Open the window you want to capture: Make sure the window is active and in focus.
2. Press Alt + Print Screen: While holding down the Alt key, press the Print Screen key. This will capture the active window and save it to your clipboard.
3. Paste the screenshot: Open a photo editing program and paste the screenshot using Ctrl + V.

Taking Screenshots with the Surface Pen

For those who prefer a more tactile approach, the Surface Pen can be used to take screenshots. Here’s how:
1. Open the Windows Ink Workspace: You can access this by clicking the pen icon in the taskbar or by pressing the Windows Key + W.
2. Select the “Screen Sketch” option: The Screen Sketch tool allows you to capture screenshots and annotate them.
3. Capture the screenshot: Click the “New” button to capture a full-screen screenshot or use the pen to draw a freehand shape to capture a specific area.
4. Edit and save: You can edit the screenshot with various tools like a pen, highlighter, and eraser. Save the edited screenshot to your desired location.

Beyond the Basics: Advanced Screenshot Techniques

For more advanced users, there are additional features and tools available to enhance your screenshot experience:

Using third-party screenshot tools: Several third-party tools offer more features and customization options. Popular choices include Lightshot, ShareX, and Greenshot.
Recording screen videos: If you need to capture a sequence of actions or create a tutorial, you can use the built-in Xbox Game Bar to record your screen.

Wrapping Up: Mastering the Art of Screenshots on Your Surface Laptop

As you’ve learned, taking screenshots on your Surface Laptop is a versatile skill with numerous applications. Whether you’re a casual user or a power user, the methods outlined in this guide will equip you with the tools to capture anything on your screen with ease. Remember to experiment with different techniques and find the approach that best suits your needs.