How to Capture Screenshots

Overview

Diagnosing a computer issues is much easier when our Technicians can see an image of the issue or error you are experiencing. An Image of your computer screen is called a screenshot. Understanding the easiest way to take a screenshot on your computer can be very useful in helping the technician resolve your issue.

Using Snipping Tool on a PC 

Snipping Tool is a program that is built into the Windows Operating System. Snipping Tool allows you to take a screenshot of either your whole screen, or a specific part of it (such as an error message).

  1. Open the Start Menu and search for Snipping Tool. Click on Snipping Tool to launch the program.

    Screenshot of the Windows 10 start menu with Snipping Tool in the search field and a red box around the Snipping Tool option in the search results.
     
  2. When the program launches, click New and your screen will turn white. Your mouse will now look like a cross.

    A screenshot of the Snipping Tool program with a red box around the New button.
     
  3. Click and drag a box around the area of the screen you want to take a screenshot of.

    A screenshot of the Snipping Tool with a screenshot that has been taken.
     
  4. The captured area will appear in the Snipping Tool window. You can save the image by clicking File and selecting Save as.

    A screenshot of the Snipping Tool program with a red box around Save As..

Using Keyboard Shortcuts on a Mac

Screenshots on a Mac can be taken through different key combinations.

Capture a Portion of the Screen

  1. On your keyboard, press the ⌘ + Shift+ 4 keys at the same time. You will see your mouse become a cross.
  2. Click and drag your mouse to draw a box around the area you want to capture.

    Screenshot of the Apple Spotlight Search with a red box around the highlighted screenshot field.
     
  3. When you release the mouse, a file containing the screenshot will be placed on the desktop.

    Screenshot of an Apple desktop with a red box around the screenshot.

Capture the Entire Screen

  1. To take a screenshot of the entire screen, press the ⌘ + Shift + 3 keys at the same time.
  2. This will place an image of your screen on the desktop.

    Screenshot of an Apple desktop with a red box around the screenshot icon.
     

 

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