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Taking a screenshot is one of those things that we “assume” everyone just knows how to do – kind of like knowing how to turn on a computer or how to tie our shoes.  Unfortunately, this isn’t a feature that is highlighted and paraded in front of customers looking to buy a computer.  Instead, you’re left to figure it out on your own (if you ever do).

As a technically savvy individual, I find knowing how to do this to be a HUGE timesaver during the work day and wanted to share instructions on how to take a screenshot in both Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X.

Windows XP

1. Decide on a screen to capture
2. Hold Alt and the Print Screen keys (this takes a screen capture and saves it to memory)
3. Open Microsoft Paint (Start >> Programs >> Accessories >> Microsoft Paint)
4. Click Control-V or Edit >> Paste
5. Click File >> Save as… and save to your hard drive
6. To email your screenshot, attach it through your email program

With Windows Vista and Windows 7, you have a couple of different options. Option 1 is to use the Alt and Print Screen method mentioned above. Fortunately, Microsoft also provides a tool called the Snipping Tool as well, which let’s you get more granular about what you are taking a screenshot of – here is how to take a screenshot using the Snipping Tool and Windows Vista / Windows 7.

Windows Vista/Windows 7

1. Open the Snipping Tool. Start >> Programs >> Accessories >> Snipping Tool
2. Select the type of snipping tool you would like to use
3. Drag around the area you would like to “snip”
4. Click the save snip button
5. Enter a name and save your file
6. To email your screenshot, attach it through your email program

Mac OS X offers a very comprehensive tool for taking screenshots. Below are the keystrokes you need to take screenshots. Perform the following key combinations to take your desired screenshot.

Mac OS X

1. Command – Shift – 3: Takes a screenshot of your current screen and saves it to your desktop
2. Command – Shift – 4: Let’s you select an area. Takes a screenshot and saves it to your desktop
3. Command – Shift – 4 – Space – then click on a window: Takes a screenshot of a window, saves it to your desktop
4. Command – Control – Shift – 3: Takes a screenshot of the screen, saves it to your clipboard
5. Command – Control – Shift – 4: Let’s you select an area and then takes a screenshot and saves it to your clipboard (think copy and paste)
6. Command – Control – Shift – 4 – then space – then click a window: Takes a screenshot of a window and saves it to your clipboard

Note: In Leopard and later, the following keys can be held down when selecting an area (when using Command – Shift – 4 or Command – Control – Shift – 4:

• Space: This locks the size of the region you have selected. When you move your mouse, it moves the region
• Shift: Allows you to resize one edge of the selected area
• Option: Allows you to resize the selected area with its center as the anchor point

Need a video tutorial? I’ve put one together below to help  you out. Continue reading How to take a screenshot in Windows and OS X