Capturing what’s on your screen is a fundamental skill in today’s digital world. Whether you need to share a funny meme, document a software error, or create a tutorial, knowing how to print screen is essential. This guide offers a detailed walkthrough of various methods to print screen on your ASUS laptop, ensuring you can capture your screen quickly and efficiently.
Understanding the Basics of Print Screen
The “Print Screen” key, often labeled as “PrtScn,” “PrntScrn,” or a similar variation, is your gateway to capturing your screen. Its function varies depending on your operating system and the key combinations you use. Understanding these nuances is the first step towards mastering screen capture on your ASUS laptop.
The Standard Print Screen Key (PrtScn)
Pressing the PrtScn key alone typically captures the entire screen and copies it to your clipboard. This means the image isn’t saved as a file right away; instead, it’s stored temporarily in your computer’s memory. You then need to paste it into an image editor (like Paint, Photoshop, or GIMP) to save it as a file.
This is a quick and easy method for capturing the entire screen’s content, allowing you to then manipulate it as needed. However, it requires an extra step to save the image.
The Alt + PrtScn Combination
Holding down the Alt key while pressing PrtScn captures only the active window. This is useful when you only need to capture a specific program or window, instead of the entire desktop.
This is particularly handy when you have multiple windows open and want to avoid capturing unnecessary information from other applications. The captured window is also copied to the clipboard, requiring you to paste it into an image editor to save.
The Windows Key + PrtScn Combination
Pressing the Windows key and PrtScn simultaneously captures the entire screen and automatically saves it as a file. This is a convenient shortcut as it eliminates the need to paste the image into an editor.
The captured image is typically saved in the “Screenshots” folder within your “Pictures” library. This method is ideal for capturing screenshots frequently without needing to open an image editor each time.
The Windows Key + Alt + PrtScn Combination
This combination is mainly used for capturing the active window of the application in use. It’s particularly useful for capturing specific parts of your screen during gameplay or other activities where you want to record a particular window’s content without capturing the whole screen. The captured content will be saved in a folder usually found inside your user folder, in a folder named “Captures”. This is similar to using the regular Windows + PrtScn, but it provides a more refined approach by capturing only the relevant window.
Using the Snipping Tool on Your ASUS Laptop
The Snipping Tool is a built-in Windows utility that offers more control over your screen captures. It allows you to capture specific areas of your screen, windows, or the entire screen with ease. It’s a versatile tool with various capture modes and annotation features.
Accessing the Snipping Tool
You can access the Snipping Tool by searching for it in the Windows search bar or by pressing the Windows key + Shift + S. The latter is a quicker shortcut that directly activates the snipping functionality, dimming your screen and presenting a crosshair cursor for selection.
Different Snipping Modes
The Snipping Tool offers several capture modes:
- Free-form Snip: Allows you to draw a freehand shape around the area you want to capture.
- Rectangular Snip: Allows you to drag a rectangle around the area you want to capture.
- Window Snip: Captures a specific window.
- Full-screen Snip: Captures the entire screen.
Select the appropriate mode based on your needs. For precise captures, the rectangular snip is often the most convenient.
Annotating and Saving Your Snip
Once you’ve captured your screen, the Snipping Tool opens, allowing you to annotate the image with a pen or highlighter. You can also erase mistakes.
After annotating, you can save the image in various formats, such as PNG, JPG, or GIF. The Snipping Tool offers more flexibility than the standard Print Screen key in terms of annotation and saving options.
Utilizing the Snip & Sketch Tool
Snip & Sketch is the modern replacement for the Snipping Tool in newer versions of Windows 10 and Windows 11. It offers similar functionality with a more streamlined interface and additional features.
Launching Snip & Sketch
You can launch Snip & Sketch using the shortcut Windows key + Shift + S, just like the quick access for the Snipping Tool. This immediately activates the screen capture overlay.
Snip & Sketch Features
Snip & Sketch offers the same capture modes as the Snipping Tool (Rectangular, Freeform, Window, and Fullscreen Snip). It also includes features like:
- Delay Snip: Allows you to set a timer before the screenshot is taken, giving you time to set up the screen as desired.
- Drawing Tools: Provides a pen, pencil, highlighter, and eraser for annotating the captured image.
- Ruler and Protractor: Offers tools for drawing straight lines and measuring angles on the screenshot.
- Sharing Options: Allows you to easily share the screenshot via email or other applications.
Snip & Sketch offers a more modern and feature-rich screen capture experience compared to the older Snipping Tool.
Using Third-Party Screen Capture Tools
While Windows offers built-in screen capture tools, many third-party applications provide advanced features and customization options. These tools can be particularly useful for users who require more control over their screen captures or need additional functionality like video recording.
Popular Third-Party Options
Here are some popular third-party screen capture tools:
- Greenshot: A lightweight and open-source tool that offers a wide range of capture options, annotation features, and saving options.
- ShareX: A powerful and free tool that supports various capture methods, including scrolling capture and video recording. It also offers extensive customization options and integrations with online services.
- Snagit: A commercial tool that provides advanced editing features, video recording capabilities, and integration with various applications.
- Lightshot: A simple and easy-to-use tool that allows you to quickly capture, edit, and share screenshots.
Benefits of Third-Party Tools
Third-party screen capture tools often offer several advantages over built-in options:
- Advanced Features: Features like scrolling capture, video recording, and optical character recognition (OCR).
- Customization Options: Greater control over capture settings, annotation tools, and saving options.
- Integration with Other Applications: Seamless integration with image editors, cloud storage services, and collaboration platforms.
- Workflow Enhancements: Streamlined workflows for capturing, editing, and sharing screenshots.
Choosing the right third-party tool depends on your specific needs and preferences. Consider factors like features, ease of use, price, and integration with your existing workflow.
Troubleshooting Common Print Screen Issues on ASUS Laptops
Sometimes, the Print Screen key might not work as expected on your ASUS laptop. This could be due to various factors, such as driver issues, conflicting software, or incorrect settings. Here are some common issues and troubleshooting steps:
Print Screen Key Not Working
If the Print Screen key doesn’t seem to be capturing anything, try the following:
- Restart Your Computer: A simple restart can often resolve temporary software glitches.
- Check Your Keyboard Drivers: Ensure your keyboard drivers are up to date. You can update them through the Device Manager.
- Test with Different Key Combinations: Try using the Windows key + PrtScn or Alt + PrtScn combinations to see if they work.
- Disable Conflicting Software: Some applications might interfere with the Print Screen function. Try disabling recently installed software or running a clean boot to identify the culprit.
Screenshot Not Saving Automatically
If the screenshot isn’t saving automatically when using the Windows key + PrtScn combination, check the following:
- Check Your Screenshots Folder: Make sure the “Screenshots” folder exists in your “Pictures” library and that you have write permissions.
- Verify OneDrive Settings: If you’re using OneDrive, check if it’s configured to automatically back up your screenshots folder.
- Check Group Policy Settings: In some cases, Group Policy settings might prevent screenshots from being saved.
Screenshot is Black or Empty
If the screenshot appears black or empty, it could be due to graphics driver issues or DRM protection. Try the following:
- Update Your Graphics Drivers: Ensure your graphics drivers are up to date.
- Disable Hardware Acceleration: Disabling hardware acceleration in your browser or other applications might resolve the issue.
- Try a Different Screen Capture Method: Use the Snipping Tool or a third-party tool to see if they can capture the screen correctly.
Customizing Your Print Screen Experience
You can further customize your print screen experience on your ASUS laptop by adjusting settings and using keyboard shortcuts.
Customizing Keyboard Shortcuts
You can assign custom keyboard shortcuts to launch the Snipping Tool or Snip & Sketch using third-party tools like AutoHotkey. This allows you to quickly access your preferred screen capture method with a custom key combination.
Adjusting Snipping Tool Settings
The Snipping Tool allows you to customize certain settings, such as the delay time before a snip is taken and whether to show the snip outline. These settings can be accessed through the Snipping Tool’s options menu.
Using Game Bar for Screenshots
The Windows Game Bar (accessed by pressing Windows Key + G) also allows for quick screen capture, particularly useful for gaming. You can capture screenshots or record videos directly through the Game Bar interface. Screenshots taken through Game Bar are saved in the “Captures” folder.
Conclusion
Mastering print screen on your ASUS laptop involves understanding the different methods available, from the standard Print Screen key to the advanced features of the Snipping Tool and third-party applications. By experimenting with these methods and customizing your settings, you can create a screen capture workflow that suits your specific needs and preferences. Whether you need to capture a quick snapshot or create detailed documentation, this guide provides the knowledge and tools to effectively capture your screen on your ASUS laptop.
What is the most basic way to take a screenshot on my ASUS laptop?
The simplest method for capturing your entire screen on an ASUS laptop is using the “PrtScn” key. Located usually near the top right corner of your keyboard, pressing this key alone copies an image of your current display to the clipboard. To view and save the screenshot, you’ll need to paste it into an image editing program like Paint or another application that supports image pasting.
Once you’ve pasted the screenshot into the application, you can then edit, crop, or annotate it as needed. Remember to save the image in your preferred file format, such as JPEG or PNG, to permanently store it. This method provides a quick and easy way to capture your screen, though it does require an additional step to save the image as a file.
How can I capture only the active window on my ASUS laptop?
If you only need to capture the currently active window, the quickest way is to use the “Alt” + “PrtScn” key combination. Pressing these keys simultaneously will copy a snapshot of just the active window to your clipboard, excluding any other windows or background elements. This is useful when you want to focus on a specific application or dialogue box.
Similar to the full-screen capture, you’ll need to paste the image from your clipboard into an image editor like Paint. From there, you can save the image as a file. This method is more efficient than capturing the entire screen and then cropping it down, saving you time and effort when you only require a specific window’s content.
How do I use the Windows Snipping Tool on my ASUS laptop to take custom screenshots?
The Windows Snipping Tool is a built-in application that provides more control over your screenshots. You can access it by searching for “Snipping Tool” in the Windows search bar. Once opened, select the desired snipping mode (Free-form, Rectangular, Window, or Full-screen Snip) from the “Mode” dropdown menu. This allows you to capture specific areas or windows with precision.
After selecting your desired mode, click “New” and drag your cursor to select the area you want to capture. The screenshot will then appear in the Snipping Tool window, where you can annotate it with a pen or highlighter. Finally, click the “Save” icon to save the screenshot to your desired location and file format. The Snipping Tool provides more flexibility and editing options compared to the basic “PrtScn” method.
Is there a shortcut to open the Windows Snip & Sketch tool on my ASUS laptop?
Yes, there is a handy shortcut to quickly launch the Windows Snip & Sketch tool. Pressing “Windows Key” + “Shift” + “S” simultaneously will activate the screen clipping overlay, allowing you to immediately select an area of the screen to capture. This is a faster alternative to searching for the application in the Start menu.
The Snip & Sketch tool offers similar functionalities to the Snipping Tool, including rectangular, freeform, window, and full-screen snips. After capturing the screenshot, it will appear as a notification in the bottom-right corner of your screen. Clicking the notification opens the Snip & Sketch editor, where you can annotate, crop, and save your image.
How can I record a video of my screen on my ASUS laptop without third-party software?
Windows 10 and later versions include a built-in screen recording tool called the Xbox Game Bar. While originally designed for gaming, it can be used to record any application window. To activate it, press “Windows Key” + “G” simultaneously. The Game Bar overlay will appear, offering various recording controls.
From the Game Bar, click the “Start Recording” button (or press “Windows Key” + “Alt” + “R”) to begin recording your screen. A small recording timer will appear, typically in the top-right corner of your screen. Once you’re finished, click the “Stop Recording” button (or press “Windows Key” + “Alt” + “R” again). The recording will be saved as an MP4 file in the “Captures” folder within your Videos library.
Where are screenshots saved by default on an ASUS laptop if I use the PrtScn key only?
When you use the “PrtScn” key alone, the screenshot is not automatically saved as a file. It is temporarily stored on your clipboard, which is a temporary storage area in your computer’s memory. This means you need to paste the screenshot into an application to save it permanently.
To save the screenshot, open an image editing program such as Paint, Paint 3D, or Photoshop. Paste the image (using “Ctrl” + “V” or the “Paste” option in the menu) into the program. Then, select “File” -> “Save As” and choose your desired file format (e.g., JPEG, PNG) and location to save the screenshot permanently.
Are there any ASUS-specific utilities for taking screenshots on my laptop?
ASUS does not typically include a dedicated, proprietary screenshot utility as a standard feature on all their laptops. However, depending on the specific model and pre-installed software, you might find customized tools integrated into the ASUS-specific software suite, such as MyASUS or Armoury Crate.
Check your pre-installed ASUS software for any utilities related to screen capture or recording. If such a utility exists, it might offer additional features or customization options beyond the standard Windows tools. If not, the built-in Windows features and third-party applications provide comprehensive screenshot capabilities.