How to capture and display a computer screenshot

It's simple, isn't it?

Capturing and utilising a screenshot is really very simple. Of course, as with all things in this life, if you do not know how to do something, it is not simple to you.

This basic 1-2-3, How To Guide, will show you just how easy the job in hand is and will add another string to your computer skills bow.

Instructions

Step 1

First How-To Step

Look at the very top row of keys on your keyboard. Find the PRINT SCREEN SYS RQ key which is usally in the last three keys at the top right.

Simply press this key once. There is no need to hold it down. A simple press will copy what is on your screen at present, into the clipboard, where images are temporarily stored.

Step 2

Editing tool such as PAINT

To save and edit your screenshot you will need a programme suitable for editing pictures. Windows provides WINDOWS PAINT.

Access to PAINT is usually by:-

From the start button on your desktop click and then select ALL PROGRAMS.
From the list displayed select ACCESSORIES.
From here look for PAINT.
Select PAINT to open and you are ready for business.

Step 3

Editing your screenshot in paint

PAINT opens with a blank canvas for you to import your screenshot and edit.

Step 4

PASTE

Either:-

Right click in the blank canvas in PAINT to place your screenshot. From the menu select PASTE

Select EDIT from the toolbar and then paste.

Either way it is easy peasy and that one click will reveal your screenshot for editing.

Step 5

Editing

Your SCREENSHOT image appears, as quick as flash, ready for you to edit or simply save.

Check out the toolbar at the top of paint for editing options.

Note:- I wanted to take my log in name out of the shots and this is easy also. Once you have saved your screenshot if you move your mouse over the image you will see the cursor is an +. Move this over the area to create a box. In this box just click on delete, on your keyboard.

The + also enables you to move the image around in paint until you have the screenshot you want.

Play about with all the tools available in PAINT until you feel confident.

Step 6

GIVE IT A GO AND HAVE A PLAY AROUND

Try saving a few screenshot images and editing them. It is really the only way to learn. Any that you are not happy with can easily be deleted, in the usual way.

It is best to save the screenshots as JPG, JPEG or GIF files as these will be accepted on more sites such as Helium.com

The basics

A very basic knowledge of computers

A computer, of course.

A working mouse.

Windows OS

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Comments (1 to 1 of 1)

Gulrukh Tausif

Apr 26, 09 at 06:42 PM

Thanks Ethel for such an informative and helpful zone. You have a great way of explaining complicated stuff in a nice n simple manner. I am off to take a few screen shots just for the fun of it. Thanks

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Screenshot as an Image

This is from a saved screenshot which was then cropped and edited in PAINT.

The IMAGE tab on the toolbar of PAINT offers many tools. ATTRIBUTES is where you can re-size your image.

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