To print screen a window, here's how, depending on your operating system and keyboard:
Windows:
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For the entire screen: Press the PrtScn key (often labeled as Print Screen, PrntScrn, or similar). This copies the entire screen to your clipboard. You can then paste it into an image editor (like Paint), a document, or an email.
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For a single window: Press Alt + PrtScn. This captures only the active window and copies it to the clipboard.
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Using the Windows Key: You can also use Windows Key + PrtScn. This will take a screenshot of your entire screen and automatically save it as a file in the "Screenshots" folder within your "Pictures" library. The screen will momentarily dim to indicate a successful capture.
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On some laptops (especially if PrtScn is a secondary function): You may need to press Fn + PrtScn, or Fn + Alt + PrtScn to capture the entire screen or the active window, respectively. Some keyboards may even require Fn + Windows logo key + Space Bar to capture a screenshot if there's no dedicated PrtScn button.
macOS:
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For the entire screen: Press Shift + Command + 3. This saves a screenshot of the entire screen to your desktop.
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For a selected area: Press Shift + Command + 4. This turns your cursor into a crosshair, allowing you to click and drag to select a specific area. The screenshot will be saved to your desktop.
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For a specific window: Press Shift + Command + 4, then press the Spacebar. This highlights the individual windows. Click on the window you want to capture. The screenshot will be saved to your desktop without the window's shadow. To include the shadow, hold down the Option key while clicking.
Important Notes:
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After capturing to the clipboard (using PrtScn or Alt + PrtScn on Windows), you'll need to open an image editing program (like Paint on Windows or Preview on macOS), paste the image (Ctrl + V on Windows or Command + V on macOS), and then save it as a file (e.g., .jpg, .png).
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The "Snipping Tool" (Windows) or "Screenshot" app (macOS) provide more advanced screenshot options, such as capturing free-form selections or delayed captures.
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Where the PrtScn button is located can vary depending on your keyboard. Look for a key with "Print Screen," "PrtScn," "PrntScrn," or similar. It's often near the function keys (F1-F12), or the Insert/Delete/Home/End keys.
