Welcome to Basic Computing’s Learning Hub. What will you learn today?WelcomeWelcome to Basic Computing’s Learning Hub.What will you learn today?
WINDOWS SHORTCUT MASTERY · LESSON 44
Copy a picture of one window: Alt + PrtScn
FREE LESSON
3 minutesWindows 11Beginner
Section 1 of 33 minutes
Learn at your own pace
UNDERSTAND THE IDEA
When this helps
What am I going to do?
Read the idea, learn the key combination and answer a question about when it would help.
What will I learn?
Know when and how to copy a picture of one window.
When someone needs to see one app, a picture of that window may be enough. Leaving out the surrounding desktop keeps the picture focused on the useful information.
LEARN THE SHORTCUT
The keys and what happens
Where it works Windows keyboards with Print Screen; some devices also need Fn
Alt+Print Screen (PrtScn)
Key names are shown separately, not as a keyboard layout. A + between key boxes means combine them. A box named Plus means the actual Plus key. Follow the steps below for alternatives.
1How to use it
Click once on the title bar at the top of the window you want. Hold Alt, press Print Screen, then release both. The key may say PrtScn or PrtSc; some laptops also need Fn. Click once in a message or document that accepts pictures, then hold Ctrl, press V and release both to paste.
2What to watch for
The picture is copied to the clipboard; this shortcut does not itself save a screenshot file. It can still contain private details inside the chosen window. Inspect the pasted picture before sharing. A full-screen app may produce a picture as large as the whole screen.
You can learn this shortcut without pressing it here. The real keys act on your computer or the app you are using.
CHOOSE THE USEFUL ACTION
When would you use it?
A helper needs to see one app, while unrelated windows surround it. You want to paste the picture into a message. What would help?
Copy a screenshot of just the active window.
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