How to Print Screen on Windows 7

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Easy ways to screenshot and print your screen on Windows 7
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This wikiHow teaches you how to take screenshots on Windows 7 of the entire screen or a specific window using keyboard shortcuts, and how to take a screenshot of a customized area using the Snipping Tool .

Quick Guide: Taking Screenshots on Windows 7

To take a screenshot of the whole screen, simply press the PrtScrn (print screen) button on your keyboard, then paste the screenshot with Ctrl + V . To take a screenshot of just one window, click on the window and press Alt + PrtScrn . You can also use the Snipping Tool app to snip just part of the screen.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Capturing the Entire Screen

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  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/81\/Print-Screen-on-Windows-7-Step-1-Version-7.jpg\/v4-460px-Print-Screen-on-Windows-7-Step-1-Version-7.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/81\/Print-Screen-on-Windows-7-Step-1-Version-7.jpg\/aid848732-v4-728px-Print-Screen-on-Windows-7-Step-1-Version-7.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Doing so saves the entire image on the screen to your computer's Clipboard, in the same resolution as your monitor setting. For example, a 1280x720 dpi monitor will result in a 1280x720 dpi image.
    • If your keyboard doesn't have a PrntScrn key , press Fn + Insert .
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/e0\/Print-Screen-on-Windows-7-Step-2-Version-7.jpg\/v4-460px-Print-Screen-on-Windows-7-Step-2-Version-7.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/e0\/Print-Screen-on-Windows-7-Step-2-Version-7.jpg\/aid848732-v4-728px-Print-Screen-on-Windows-7-Step-2-Version-7.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Do so in any app that supports the pasting of images, like Word , Outlook, or Paint. [1]
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  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/98\/Print-Screen-on-Windows-7-Step-3-Version-7.jpg\/v4-460px-Print-Screen-on-Windows-7-Step-3-Version-7.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/98\/Print-Screen-on-Windows-7-Step-3-Version-7.jpg\/aid848732-v4-728px-Print-Screen-on-Windows-7-Step-3-Version-7.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Do so by pressing Ctrl + V or selecting Paste from the Edit drop-down in the menu bar. The screenshot will be pasted into the document. You can now save it, email it, print, or otherwise share it. [2]
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Capturing a Specific Window

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  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/74\/Print-Screen-on-Windows-7-Step-4-Version-7.jpg\/v4-460px-Print-Screen-on-Windows-7-Step-4-Version-7.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/74\/Print-Screen-on-Windows-7-Step-4-Version-7.jpg\/aid848732-v4-728px-Print-Screen-on-Windows-7-Step-4-Version-7.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/da\/Print-Screen-on-Windows-7-Step-5-Version-7.jpg\/v4-460px-Print-Screen-on-Windows-7-Step-5-Version-7.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/da\/Print-Screen-on-Windows-7-Step-5-Version-7.jpg\/aid848732-v4-728px-Print-Screen-on-Windows-7-Step-5-Version-7.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Doing so saves an image of the window to your computer's Clipboard.
    • If your keyboard doesn't have a PrntScrn key, press Fn + Insert .
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/94\/Print-Screen-on-Windows-7-Step-6-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Print-Screen-on-Windows-7-Step-6-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/94\/Print-Screen-on-Windows-7-Step-6-Version-3.jpg\/aid848732-v4-728px-Print-Screen-on-Windows-7-Step-6-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Do so in any app that supports the pasting of images, like Word, Outlook, or Paint.
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/c0\/Print-Screen-on-Windows-7-Step-7-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Print-Screen-on-Windows-7-Step-7-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/c0\/Print-Screen-on-Windows-7-Step-7-Version-3.jpg\/aid848732-v4-728px-Print-Screen-on-Windows-7-Step-7-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Do so by pressing Ctrl + V or selecting Paste from the Edit drop-down in the menu bar. The screenshot will be pasted into the document. You can now save it, email it, print, or otherwise, share it.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Using the Snipping Tool

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  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/05\/Print-Screen-on-Windows-7-Step-8-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Print-Screen-on-Windows-7-Step-8-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/05\/Print-Screen-on-Windows-7-Step-8-Version-3.jpg\/aid848732-v4-728px-Print-Screen-on-Windows-7-Step-8-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    It's in the lower-left corner of the screen. [3]
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/88\/Print-Screen-on-Windows-7-Step-9-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Print-Screen-on-Windows-7-Step-9-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/88\/Print-Screen-on-Windows-7-Step-9-Version-3.jpg\/aid848732-v4-728px-Print-Screen-on-Windows-7-Step-9-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/a\/a2\/Print-Screen-on-Windows-7-Step-10-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Print-Screen-on-Windows-7-Step-10-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/a2\/Print-Screen-on-Windows-7-Step-10-Version-3.jpg\/aid848732-v4-728px-Print-Screen-on-Windows-7-Step-10-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/85\/Print-Screen-on-Windows-7-Step-11-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Print-Screen-on-Windows-7-Step-11-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/85\/Print-Screen-on-Windows-7-Step-11-Version-3.jpg\/aid848732-v4-728px-Print-Screen-on-Windows-7-Step-11-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Doing so opens a dialog box. [4]
  5. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/12\/Print-Screen-on-Windows-7-Step-12-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Print-Screen-on-Windows-7-Step-12-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/12\/Print-Screen-on-Windows-7-Step-12-Version-3.jpg\/aid848732-v4-728px-Print-Screen-on-Windows-7-Step-12-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    It's in the menu bar of the dialog box.
  6. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/64\/Print-Screen-on-Windows-7-Step-13-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Print-Screen-on-Windows-7-Step-13-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/64\/Print-Screen-on-Windows-7-Step-13-Version-3.jpg\/aid848732-v4-728px-Print-Screen-on-Windows-7-Step-13-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
  7. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/b8\/Print-Screen-on-Windows-7-Step-14-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Print-Screen-on-Windows-7-Step-14-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/b8\/Print-Screen-on-Windows-7-Step-14-Version-3.jpg\/aid848732-v4-728px-Print-Screen-on-Windows-7-Step-14-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This takes a screenshot of the section of the screen you outlined and shows you the resulting image. [5]
  8. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/14\/Print-Screen-on-Windows-7-Step-15-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Print-Screen-on-Windows-7-Step-15-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/14\/Print-Screen-on-Windows-7-Step-15-Version-3.jpg\/aid848732-v4-728px-Print-Screen-on-Windows-7-Step-15-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    It's the icon that looks like a purple floppy disc. This will open the "Save As" window and you can enter a filename for the screenshot and choose where to save it.
    • The default image file type for the snipping tool is JPEG. You can change this by clicking on the "File Type" drop-down menu in the dialog box.
  9. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/ee\/Print-Screen-on-Windows-7-Step-16.jpg\/v4-460px-Print-Screen-on-Windows-7-Step-16.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/ee\/Print-Screen-on-Windows-7-Step-16.jpg\/aid848732-v4-728px-Print-Screen-on-Windows-7-Step-16.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    The selected portion of the screen will be saved as an image to your computer. [6]
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Expert Q&A

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Add New Question
  • Question
    Where does Print Screen save to on Windows 7?
    Luigi Oppido
    Computer & Tech Specialist
    Luigi Oppido is the Owner and Operator of Pleasure Point Computers in Santa Cruz, California. Luigi has over 25 years of experience in general computer repair, data recovery, virus removal, and upgrades. He is also the host of the Computer Man Show! broadcasted on KSQD covering central California for over two years.
    Luigi Oppido
    Computer & Tech Specialist
    Expert Answer
    When you click Print Screen, it copies a screenshot of your screen, so all you need to do is paste it into a Paint file or Word document.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 3 Helpful 5
  • Question
    When I press CTRL + V in Paint, it is not pasting the copied printed screen (I have Windows 7). What can I do?
    Community Answer
    Try to right click on the screen and a little box will pop up, then click Paste.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 30 Helpful 16
  • Question
    Can print screen be saved as a JPG image?
    Community Answer
    Yes. After doing a screen print, just open Paint and select Paste to copy the image. Then it can be saved several different file types, including JPG.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 7 Helpful 10
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      References

      1. ↑ Luigi Oppido. Computer & Tech Specialist. Expert Interview. 31 July 2019.
      2. ↑ Luigi Oppido. Computer & Tech Specialist. Expert Interview. 31 July 2019.
      3. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/use-snipping-tool-to-capture-screenshots-00246869-1843-655f-f220-97299b865f6b
      4. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/use-snipping-tool-to-capture-screenshots-00246869-1843-655f-f220-97299b865f6b
      5. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/use-snipping-tool-to-capture-screenshots-00246869-1843-655f-f220-97299b865f6b
      6. ↑ https://www.library.illinois.edu/staff/it/howto/snippingtool/

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