Step-by-step guide

Using the Snipping Tool to take a screen capture in Windows

Launch the snipping tool by clicking Start → All Programs → Accessories → Snipping tool, as shown in Figure 1.

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Using the Snipping Tool to take a screen capture in Windows 8

Swipe in from the right edge of your screen. Then tap or click Search. If you're using a mouse, point to the upper-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer down, and then click Search.  You can also press the Windows logo key Image Removed +C to open the charms.

In the search field, type Snipping Tool then click the search result to open it.

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1. You should already have a shortcut to Snipping Tool pinned to your start bar at the bottom of your desktop window.
2. Select the StartImage Added button, type snipping tool in the search box on the taskbar, and then select Snipping Tool from the list of results.

Capturing all or part of a screen

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To choose the type of snip you want, select Mode (or, in older versions of Windows, the arrow next to New), and then choose Free-form, Rectangular, Window, or Full-screen Snip. When making free-form or rectangular snips, use your mouse to select the area that you want to capture.

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1. • To take a new screenshot using the same mode you used last, select New.

   • Use the Save and Copy buttons at the top of the snip to save or copy it to the clipboard.

   
   
   

Working with your screen capture

Once you have a screen capture there are a few things you can do with it.  It will open in a separate window and from this window you can do the following, as shown below.Image Removed:

• Over-write the current capture with a new one
• Save the capture as an image file so you can attach it to a helpdesk request
• Copy and paste the capture into a document or email
• Create a new, blank email message and include the capture as an attachment
• Annotate, highlight or erase portions of the image.

Emailing or attaching a screen capture

Often times you'll You may need to email or attach the screen capture after you take it.  There are a few ways to accomplish this:

• Use the envelop button, as shown above.
• Save the capture and then attach it to an email message
• Copy and paste the capture into an email message

 If you're submitting a helpdesk request with a screen capture, always include a description of the screen capture, even if it's obvious to you.  The recipient may have to guess at what you're trying to show.

Taking a screen capture in Mac OS X

Taking a screen capture in Mac OS X is easy, but requires knowing to keyboard shortcuts.

The screen captures will be saved to your desktop with the filename: Screen Shot date and time.png.  You can email or attach this screen capture like you would any other image.