Question: How can I create screen shots on a Windows computer?
The IT Guy says:
A screen shot is an image taken of something that is on your computer screen. The entire screen can be captured, or a smaller region, depending on the keystrokes and/or specialized screen capture programs used.
Free options for screen capture are built into the Windows operating system. To copy an image of the entire screen to the clipboard, press the PRINT SCREEN button (located in the top row of keys next to F12).
To copy an image of the window currently open, press the ALT and PRINT SCREEN keys.
After copying an image, select EDIT - PASTE in the program into which you want to paste the image. This can be a Word file, PowerPoint file, or any other program that allows the pasting of graphical images.
If you only want part of the screen, try pasting the entire captured screen into a new image in an image-editing program like Adobe PhotoShop or Macromedia Fireworks. Use the marquee (dashed rectangle) to select the region of the screen you want to keep; this will crop out the rest. Then either copy and paste the selected area or save the file as a graphic (.bmp or .jpg) to insert into another document later.
More sophisticated screen capture options are available with software programs like SnagIt and Camtasia Studio. Both products allow you to capture still images as well as videos, but Camtasia Studio will export to Flash format (.swf), a highly compressed and high quality file format ideal for use on Web Pages.
There are many other options for screen capture software. Other commercial manufacturers of screen capture software for Windows include Creative Softworx and Hyperionics. A freeware screen capture program is Turbosnap by Vectormedia Software.
Next Tip: Screen shots on a Macintosh computer
