Print Screen or Screen Capture

I remember way-back-when how easy it was to print a screen. We just hit the "Prt Scr" button on the keyboard above the Home and End keys, and immediately the printer would engage and shoot out a piece of paper with our screen on it. Then Windows 98 appeared and it all changed. Unfortunately, many of us never learned the new (hidden) step.


If you need to print a certain window or dialog box (usually to show the IT tech support guy so he'll believe you really had an error message), here's how:

1. Have the dialog box on the screen
2. Hit the "Prt Scr" button above the Home and End keys
3. Nothing happens. But actually, the copy is sitting on your clipboard waiting to be pasted.
4. Now open Word, Wordpad, or even an email screen
5. Paste (Ctrl V or Edit, Paste)

Short and sweet, and VERY handy.

BUT - The PrtScr button took a snapshot of your entire window corner-to-corner. What if you just want a picture of the "active" window, like the error message which only measures 2x6 inches?

In that case, press ALT + PrtScr, open a document, paste, print. Done!

Happy Clicking!
Andy Lanning, Chief Nerd
Computer Software Training, LLC
Want more great tips? http://www.computersupersecrets.com/

E-Book by Andy Lanning: Microsoft Office 2010 MUST FIX LIST

NEW!! Get the MS Office 2010 MUST FIX List... Just $7.50 for an E-book that will spare you endless frustration when you upgrade to Office 2010, plus other tips & tricks. I developed this MUST FIX list as a teaching necessity. I couldn’t start class until the students could find their buttons! It’s provided here as a way to give you a jump-start with your new software. (IMPORTANT! At payment screen, when completed, click the yellow bar, labeled: ‘Return to Computer Software Training, LLC’ to initiate the download.)