Master How to Take Surface Pro Screenshot in Seconds

Capturing what’s on your Surface Pro screen is essential for various reasons, whether you need to share a tutorial, document a bug, or simply save a beautiful image. This guide will equip you with all the knowledge you need to master the art of taking Surface Pro screenshots, covering various methods and scenarios.

The Classic Keyboard Shortcut: Your Go-To Option

For a quick and easy screenshot of your entire Surface Pro screen, the keyboard shortcut “Windows Key + Print Screen” is your best friend. This combination instantly captures everything displayed on your screen and saves it as a PNG file in your “Pictures” folder, specifically in a subfolder named “Screenshots.”

Capturing a Specific Window: The Power of “Alt + Print Screen”

If you’re only interested in capturing a particular window, like a specific application or browser tab, the “Alt + Print Screen” shortcut is your go-to. This combination captures only the active window, making it ideal for focused screenshots. The captured image is saved to your “Pictures” folder in the “Screenshots” subfolder.

The Snipping Tool: Your Versatile Screenshot Companion

The Snipping Tool is a built-in Windows tool that offers more control over your screenshots. To access it, simply search for “Snipping Tool” in the Windows search bar. Once open, you can choose from four different snipping modes:

• Free-form Snip: Allows you to draw any shape on the screen to capture.
• Rectangular Snip: Captures a rectangular area of your screen.
• Window Snip: Captures the entire active window.
• Full-screen Snip: Captures your entire screen.

After selecting the desired mode, simply click and drag your cursor to select the area you want to capture. The Snipping Tool then saves the screenshot as a PNG file to your clipboard. You can then paste it into any application or save it directly to your computer.

The Snipping Tool’s Modern Successor: The Snip & Sketch Tool

Windows 10 introduced the Snip & Sketch tool, a more modern and feature-rich alternative to the Snipping Tool. To access it, search for “Snip & Sketch” in the Windows search bar. The Snip & Sketch tool offers the same snipping modes as the Snipping Tool, with the added benefit of allowing you to annotate and edit your screenshots directly within the tool.

Beyond the Basics: Advanced Screenshot Techniques

For those seeking more advanced screenshot options, consider these techniques:

• Using the Xbox Game Bar: This built-in tool allows you to capture screenshots and record videos of your games and other applications. Access the Xbox Game Bar by pressing the “Windows Key + G” combination.
• Third-Party Screenshot Tools: Several third-party screenshot tools offer additional features like scheduling screenshots, capturing scrolling windows, and adding watermarks. Popular options include Lightshot, ShareX, and Greenshot.

Saving Screenshots Directly to OneDrive

If you’re a frequent user of OneDrive, you can configure your Surface Pro to automatically save screenshots to your cloud storage. To enable this feature, open the “Settings” app, navigate to “System > Storage,” and then select “OneDrive” from the list of storage locations. Under “Save screenshots to OneDrive,” toggle the switch to “On.”

Beyond Capturing: Editing and Sharing Your Screenshots

Once you’ve captured your screenshot, you might want to edit it before sharing it. You can use the built-in Windows Photos app or third-party image editing software like Adobe Photoshop or GIMP to crop, resize, add text, or apply filters to your screenshots.
Sharing your screenshots is simple. You can copy and paste them into email messages, social media posts, or other applications. You can also save them to your computer or cloud storage and then share them using a link.

Final Thoughts: Mastering the Art of Surface Pro Screenshots

By understanding the various methods and tools available, you can easily capture and share screenshots of your Surface Pro screen. Whether you’re a casual user or a professional, mastering the art of taking screenshots can enhance your productivity and communication.

Answers to Your Most Common Questions

Q1: Where are my screenshots saved by default?
A1: Screenshots taken using the keyboard shortcuts or the Snipping Tool are saved to your “Pictures” folder in a subfolder named “Screenshots.”
Q2: Can I save screenshots directly to a specific folder?
A2: While the default location is “Pictures > Screenshots,” you can change it by using a third-party screenshot tool or by manually moving the captured files after taking them.
Q3: How do I take a screenshot of a scrolling window?
A3: This requires a third-party screenshot tool that supports capturing scrolling windows. Popular options include Lightshot, ShareX, and Greenshot.
Q4: What is the best screenshot tool for Surface Pro?
A4: The best tool depends on your needs. For basic screenshots, the built-in Snipping Tool and Snip & Sketch are excellent choices. If you need more advanced features, consider third-party tools like Lightshot or ShareX.
Q5: Can I take a screenshot of a specific area of my screen?
A5: Yes, you can use the “Free-form Snip” and “Rectangular Snip” modes in the Snipping Tool or the Snip & Sketch tool to capture specific areas of your screen.