Taking a screenshot from a Hewlett Packard (HP) computer or laptop is basically the same with other PC brands. However, in case you don’t know how to do that, I have several options for you.
In this article, there are at least three different methods for taking a screenshot on your HP device without installing third-party software. Each with different features and advantages — one of them could be your most favorite.
Table of Contents
1. On your HP computer or laptop, press PrintScreen button. It may be abbreviated to prt scr, prnt scrn, print scr, or PS instead.
While the sign may be different, the location is consistently always at the upper rows of the keyboard. If you don’t have access to a physical keyboard, an on-screen keyboard could do the work too.
2. Once the PrintScreen button has been pressed, now click Start and search for Paint and launch the program.
3. On the blank canvas, click Paste or CTRL+V to display screenshot you took before.
4. After the screenshot appeared, click File and then Save to store the file. You can choose either BMP, JPEG, GIF, TIFF, or PNG.
Unfortunately, this “most popular” screenshot method isn’t so flexible. For example, you can’t focus on a certain window. It will also take a whole screen — something that would be bothersome for multiple displays system like mine.
If you want to take a screenshot from an active window, then combine it with Alt+PrintScreen. Then you can paste the captured screen image to Paint or other graphics processing software.
#2 Take a screenshot using Snipping Tool
Another powerful tool from Windows is Snipping Tool. This app was installed by default on Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 10
1. Go to Start Menu and find Snipping Tool.
3. Select the snipping mode you want to use.
3. Capture the desired area on the screen.
4. Next, click File and Save As… to save the picture.
#3 Take a screenshot that will be saved automatically
Both previous methods require you to save the picture manually. However, for Windows 10 users, you can take a screenshot and the system will store it automatically.
1. Press the Windows+PrintScreen button on your computer. A laptop or notebook may use Windows+FN+PrintScreen (if there’s no FN button, ignore it). After it pressed, the screen will dim for a glance before back to normal.
2. Go to Documents → Pictures → Screenshots folder to see the result.
Unfortunately, this method only offers very basic features. You can’t select a specific window or screen. You also can’t change the default location and format.
Bonus: Best screenshot software
If the built-in screenshot features by Windows wasn’t satisfied you enough, then having third-party software installed may fix the problem. Here are some of the best and popular screenshot software that offers a lot of customizations.
PicPick
This is my favorite software to capture screen. It comes with a handy feature that allows you to customize screenshot, shortcut key, editing, input text, and share the picture. This software is available free for Windows and has a portable version.
Screenshoter
It’s a lightweight app to capture the screen and save it automatically in the selected directory. You can choose to screenshot the whole display, a specific window, or custom area. This freeware also runs in the background, so just press the shortcut key, it will capture the screen for you.
Lightshot
Probably known for its key feature which allows you to upload the captured screenshot to their cloud server. From there, you could share the link with your friends. Surprisingly, this handy software comes for free for Windows and Mac.
Additional Tips for Taking Screenshots on HP Devices
Using Windows + Shift + S for Quick Snips
For a faster and more versatile method, try the Windows + Shift + S shortcut. This opens the Snip & Sketch tool, allowing you to capture:
- A rectangular area
- A freeform shape
- A specific window
- The entire screen
Once captured, the screenshot is automatically copied to your clipboard. You can paste it into an image editor or directly into an email or document.
Try the Game Bar for Gaming Screenshots
If you’re gaming or need to capture full-screen activities, the Windows Game Bar is a great option. Press Windows + G to open the overlay, then click the camera icon or use Windows + Alt + PrtScn to save your screenshot automatically.
FAQ
Can I change where my screenshots are saved?
By default, screenshots taken with Windows + PrtScn are saved in the “Screenshots” folder under “Pictures.” To change this location, right-click the folder, select “Properties,” and adjust the location settings.
What’s the best tool for editing screenshots?
For basic edits, use built-in tools like Paint or Snip & Sketch. For advanced features like annotations and cropping, consider third-party apps such as Lightshot or Greenshot.
How do I capture a scrolling screenshot?
Scrolling screenshots aren’t natively supported on Windows. Use third-party tools like PicPick or ShareX to capture long webpages or documents.
On some HP laptops, you may need to press Fn + PrtScn instead of just PrtScn. If it still doesn’t work, try using an on-screen keyboard or check your keyboard settings.
With these methods and tips, capturing and managing screenshots on your HP computer becomes effortless!
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