How To Make a Screenshot

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How To Make a Screenshot

Have you ever wanted to take a picture on the computer? Well with this tutorial, you can! The pictures of computer screens that you may see around the internet (and on this site) are called Screenshots. These screenshots can come in handy when you want to do something like make a tutorial on something!

This will be easy for you after you read this tutorial. First, find the object that you want to take a picture of and hit the Print Screen button on your keyboard. It will be in the general area of the key highlighted below. It may be called "psc," Print Screen, "PrtScn," or something else along the same lines.

Print Screen Button

NOTE: On Microsoft Keyboards, you may have to disable the function, or "F" lock, on newer keyboards. This is usually on media keyboards and will say "F Lock" on the key.

Next, go to your Start menu and click "Run." Type in "mspaint" and click "Ok." This will load Microsoft Paint. If the run command is not in your start menu, then go to Start => All Programs => Accessories => Paint. Click "Paste" on the "Edit" menu. Your picture that you just took should be there. If it isn't, make sure that the "F" lock is disabled on your keyboard and try again!

Now, click the box picture in the upper-left hand corner. Then drag the cursor around what you want to be in the final picture. Right click on the selected area and click "Cut." Then click "New" on the "File" menu and click "No" on the box that pops up.

Now, click "Paste" on the "Edit" menu. The picture that you just selected should now be on the white canvas. Click in the white area around the picture, if there is any, and then click and drag the boxes in the corners towards the picture until there is no white space left.

When you are satisfied with the final product, click "Save" on the "File" menu. Then, click on the arrow next to the box at the bottom of the pop-up and click ".gif." Then select a spot to save the screenshot and click "Save." That is all that you need to know!

For help on how to make your screenshots better, see Screen Shot Tips and Tricks on About.com.