How to Take a Screen Shot

Using Windows XP, you can easily save an image with what is currently on your computer screen - this image is called a screenshot. You can use screenshots to demonstrate to a friend how to use an application, or you can take screenshots when you've having a problem with a computer program and want to ask for support.

1. To take a screenshot of the entire desktop, press the PRINT SCREEN key. This key should be located somewhere in the upper-rigth corner of the keyboard; it's name may be a bit different from keyboard to keyboard (for example, it could be abbreviated as "PrtScn", or "Pri Sc" and so on).
   
   If instead of the entire desktop you want to take a screenshot of just one window, first click that window, then hold down the ALT key and, while holding the ALT key also press the PRINT SCREEN key.
2. To save the screenshot you've just taken, click Start, click All Programs, then Accessories, and then Paint.
3. At the top of the Paint window, click Edit and then Paste.
4. As soon as the image appears in Paint, click File, then Save As.
5. Use the Save As dialog to select the location where you want to save the screenshot, and to enter a name for it.
6. Click the Save button. Now you can e-mail or print the screenshot, just as you would do with any other image.

This method works very well for taking screenshots, except for two situations: you can't take screenshots like this before you log on, and you can't take screenshots of the movies you're playing in Windows Media Player.