How To Screen Grab: A Beginner's Guide

Screen grabbing, also known as taking a screenshot, is the process of capturing an image of your computer or phone screen. It’s a useful tool for many purposes, from documenting software bugs to sharing memes. In this article, we’ll guide you on how to screen grab like a pro.

How to Screen Grab on a Windows Computer

Using the Print Screen Button

One of the easiest ways to screen grab on a Windows computer is by using the Print Screen button. It’s usually located in the top row of your keyboard, labeled as “PrtScn” or “Print Scr”. Simply press the button to capture an image of the entire screen.

How do I take a screenshot of a specific window?

To take a screenshot of a specific window, click on the window to make it active, then press Alt + Print Screen. This will capture an image of the active window only.

Using the Snipping Tool

Windows also has a built-in tool called the Snipping Tool that allows you to capture a specific area of the screen. To access it, search for “Snipping Tool” in the Start menu. Once you open it, click on “New” to start a new snip, then select the area you want to capture.

Can I save the screenshot as an image file?

Yes, you can. After you’ve taken the screenshot, open an image editing software like Paint or Photoshop, and paste the screenshot. You can then save the file as an image in your preferred format.

How to Screen Grab on a Mac

Using Keyboard Shortcuts

Mac computers have several keyboard shortcuts for screen grabbing. To capture the entire screen, press Command + Shift + 3. To capture a specific area, press Command + Shift + 4, then drag the cursor to select the area you want to capture.

How do I take a screenshot of a specific window?

Press Command + Shift + 4, then press Spacebar. This will change the cursor to a camera icon, which you can use to select the window you want to capture.

Using the Grab Utility

Mac also has a built-in utility called Grab that allows you to capture screenshots and even record the screen. To access it, search for “Grab” in the Spotlight search. Once you open it, select the type of screenshot you want to take, then save the file.

Can I take a screenshot of the Touch Bar on a MacBook Pro?

Yes, you can. Press Command + Shift + 6 to capture an image of the Touch Bar.

How to Screen Grab on a Phone

Using Buttons

Most phones have a combination of buttons that you can press to take a screenshot. On iPhones, press the Home button and the Power button at the same time. On Android phones, press the Volume Down button and the Power button at the same time.

How do I take a screenshot on a phone without buttons?

Some phones, like the iPhone X and above, don’t have a Home button. On these phones, you can take a screenshot by pressing the Volume Up button and the Power button at the same time. Alternatively, you can use the AssistiveTouch feature to take a screenshot.

Using Gestures

Some phones, like Samsung Galaxy phones, allow you to take a screenshot by swiping your hand across the screen. To enable this feature, go to Settings > Advanced features > Palm swipe to capture.

Can I take a scrolling screenshot on a phone?

Yes, you can. Some phones, like Samsung Galaxy phones, have a feature called Scroll capture that allows you to take a screenshot of an entire webpage or app by scrolling. To use this feature, take a regular screenshot, then tap on the Scroll capture option.

Conclusion

Screen grabbing is a simple yet powerful tool that can come in handy in many situations. Whether you’re a Windows or Mac user, or if you prefer using your phone, there are several ways to take a screenshot. We hope this guide has been helpful in teaching you how to screen grab like a pro.