Your progress is saved in this browser. There’s no timer.
Before you start
- The screen or error you want to capture
- A folder for the saved picture
A clear way through this guide.
We’ll show you one step at a time. When you’re ready, press Done — next step. You can go back or take a break whenever you like.
5 steps · Your own pace
Take a screenshot of part of a Windows screen
Step 1 of 5: Prepare the screen
Open the item you need and move unrelated windows out of view. Hide personal information if practical. Include the error’s wording and relevant app; exclude unrelated content.
✓ Step complete. You can practise it again.
Step 2 of 5: Open screen capture
Press Windows key + Shift + S. The capture toolbar appears and the screen dims. Choose a rectangular snip for a small area. If the shortcut is unavailable, find Snipping Tool through Start and choose New.
✓ Step complete. You can practise it again.
Step 3 of 5: Select the area
Click and drag around the useful part of the screen, then release. Aim to include the full message or control rather than cutting off important words. If the selection is wrong, start another capture.
✓ Step complete. You can practise it again.
Step 4 of 5: Review and save
Open the capture notification or Snipping Tool to inspect the image. Use Save to choose a clear filename and location. App versions can save screenshots differently, so check the actual folder instead of assuming the clipboard is a permanent file.
✓ Step complete. You can practise it again.
Step 5 of 5: Share thoughtfully
Reopen the saved image to verify it. Remove sensitive details before sharing; use a separate copy if editing. Send the image alongside a short explanation of what happened. A screenshot records the moment but does not diagnose the fault by itself.
✓ Step complete. You can practise it again.
Take your time. Next marks this step done.
You’ve finished this guide.
Every step is complete. You can come back and practise again whenever you like.
Your small practice task.
Capture a harmless area of your desktop and find the saved image.
Completing the guide records your progress here; it does not check your device settings.
A common question.
Can I paste the screenshot straight into a message?
Often yes, using Ctrl + V after capturing. Save a file as well if you need to keep it for later.
Official help, if you need it.
These links provide the product’s own instructions or relevant public guidance. Settings can differ by model and software version.