How To Screenshot On Thinkpad Lenovo
Taking screenshots on a ThinkPad Lenovo laptop is a simple yet essential task for capturing and sharing information. Whether you need to document an error, preserve a web page, or share an image with colleagues, knowing how to screenshot efficiently can save you time and effort. This comprehensive guide will provide you with step-by-step instructions on how to take screenshots on a ThinkPad Lenovo laptop, covering both the built-in screen capture tool and third-party software options.
Built-In Screen Capture Tool
Lenovo ThinkPad laptops are equipped with a built-in screen capture tool that allows you to take screenshots with just a few keystrokes. To use this tool, first locate the "PrtScn" (Print Screen) key on your keyboard. It is typically located in the top-right corner of the keyboard, next to the "F12" key. Once you have located the key, simply press it to capture a screenshot of your entire screen. The screenshot will be saved to your clipboard, allowing you to paste it into any image editing software or document.
Capturing the Screen with the Print Screen Key
Using the Print Screen key is the most straightforward method to capture a screenshot on a ThinkPad Lenovo laptop. Here’s a comprehensive guide to capturing screenshots using this key:
1. Locate the Print Screen Key
The Print Screen key is typically located in the top row of the keyboard, near the function keys (F1-F12). It may be labeled as “PrtSc,” “PrtScr,” or “Print Scrn.” On some ThinkPad models, the Print Screen key may be combined with another function, such as “SysReq” or “Pause/Break.” If this is the case, you will need to use a combination of keys to activate the Print Screen function.
2. Capture the Entire Screen
To capture a screenshot of the entire screen, simply press the Print Screen key. The image will be automatically copied to the clipboard, where you can paste it into any compatible application.
3. Capture an Active Window
To capture a screenshot of only the active window (the window that is currently in focus), press the Alt key + Print Screen key simultaneously. The image will be copied to the clipboard, and you can paste it into another application.
4. Capture a Specific Area
To capture a screenshot of a specific area on the screen, press the Windows key + Print Screen key. This will create a screenshot of the entire screen, but it will automatically open the Snip & Sketch tool. In Snip & Sketch, you can crop and edit the screenshot before saving it or sharing it.
5. Saving the Screenshot
Once you have captured a screenshot, you can save it to your computer by opening any image editing application (such as Microsoft Paint) and pasting the image into a new document. You can then save the document in any desired file format, such as PNG, JPEG, or BMP.
| Key Combination | Screenshot Type |
|---|---|
| Print Screen | Entire screen |
| Alt + Print Screen | Active window |
| Windows key + Print Screen | Specific area (Snip & Sketch tool) |
Employing the Windows Game Bar
The introduction of the Windows Game Bar in Windows 10 offered an easy and straightforward method for capturing screenshots. This tool, originally designed for gamers, can be utilized by all users to capture and share screenshots of any application or screen. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to employ the Windows Game Bar for screenshot purposes:
Step 1: Enable the Game Bar
Begin by ensuring that the Game Bar feature is enabled on your system. Navigate to the “Settings” menu in Windows, select “Gaming,” and then toggle the “Game Bar” option to “On.”
Step 2: Launch the Game Bar
Once enabled, launch the Game Bar by pressing the “Windows Key + G” simultaneously. Alternatively, you can bring up the Start menu and type “Game Bar” in the search bar to locate the application.
Step 3: Capture a Screenshot
To capture the entire screen, simply click on the “Screenshot” button within the Game Bar. Alternatively, to capture only a specific portion of the screen, press the “Windows Key + Alt + PrtScn” combination. The screenshot will be saved as a PNG file in the “Videos/Captures” folder by default.
Additional Features:
The Windows Game Bar offers additional features such as recording gameplay, capturing audio, and messaging friends. To access these options, click on the menu icon in the top-left corner of the Game Bar.
Customizing Screenshots:
To customize the screenshot settings, click on the “Settings” icon in the Game Bar and select the “Screenshots” tab. Here, you can adjust options such as the screenshot format, file location, and whether to include a timestamp or logo.
| Screenshot Method | Keyboard Shortcut |
| Capture Full Screen | Windows Key + G |
| Capture Selected Area | Windows Key + Alt + PrtScn |
Screenshotting with the Lenovo ThinkPad Hotkey
The Lenovo ThinkPad laptops come with a dedicated hotkey for taking screenshots, which makes capturing screen images quick and convenient. Here are the steps on how to use the hotkey to take screenshots on your ThinkPad:
1. Locate the Screenshot Key
The screenshot key on ThinkPad laptops is typically located on the top row of the keyboard, next to the F12 key. It is often identified by a small camera icon.
2. Press the Screenshot Key
To take a screenshot, simply press the designated screenshot key. The key may have a “PrtScn” or “Snip” label along with the camera icon.
3. Locate the Screenshot
The screenshot will be automatically saved to the clipboard. You can paste it into an image editor or a document.
4. Customize Screenshot Options
In addition to the standard screenshot hotkey, Lenovo provides a utility called “Snipping Tool” that allows for more customization. To access the Snipping Tool:
- Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
- Type “snippingtool” in the search box and click “OK.”
- The Snipping Tool will open, allowing you to select the specific area of the screen you want to capture.
From the Snipping Tool, you can choose to capture a rectangular area, a freeform area, or even a specific window. You can also add annotations and save the screenshot in various formats, including PNG, JPG, and GIF.
| Screenshot Method | Hotkey | Additional Features |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Screenshot | PrtScn or Snip | Captures the entire screen |
| Snipping Tool | Windows key + R (type “snippingtool”) | Allows for custom area selection, annotations, and different save formats |
Saving Screenshots to a Specific Location
By default, screenshots are saved to the “Pictures\Screenshots” folder on your Lenovo ThinkPad. However, you can change this location by following these steps:
1.
Open the Settings app by clicking the Start button and then selecting the Settings icon.
2.
Click on the “System” category.
3.
Click on the “Display” tab.
4.
Scroll down to the “Screenshot” section.
5.
Click on the “Browse” button next to the “Save screenshots to” field.
6.
Navigate to the folder where you want to save screenshots and click on the “Select Folder” button.
| Operating System | Default Screenshot Location |
|---|---|
| Windows 10 | Pictures\Screenshots |
| Windows 11 | Pictures\Screenshots |
Once you have changed the screenshot location, all new screenshots will be saved to the specified folder.
Step 1: Use the “PrtScn” Key
Locate the “PrtScn” key, typically near the top-right corner of your keyboard. Press it once to capture a full-screen screenshot.
Step 2: Open the Snipping Tool
Press “Windows key + R” to open the Run dialog box. Type “snippingtool” and press “Enter” to launch the Snipping Tool.
Step 3: Select a Snipping Mode
Choose the type of screenshot you want to take: Full-Screen Snip, Free-Form Snip, Rectangular Snip, Window Snip, or Delay Snip.
Step 4: Capture the Screenshot
Click “New” to start a new screenshot session. If you chose a timed delay, wait for the countdown to complete. Drag your cursor to select the area you want to screenshot.
Step 5: Save the Screenshot
Once you capture the screenshot, it will appear in the Snipping Tool window. Click “File” > “Save As” to save the screenshot as a file.
Step 6: Find the Saved Screenshot
By default, screenshots are saved in the “Pictures” folder under a subfolder named “Screenshots.” You can also customize the save location in the Snipping Tool settings.
Annotating and Editing Screenshots
Step 7: Open the Screenshot in Paint
Right-click on the screenshot file and select “Open with” > “Paint.” Paint is a basic image editing tool included with Windows that allows you to annotate and edit your screenshots.
Step 8: Use the Annotation Tools
Select the “Annotations” tab in the Paint ribbon to access various annotation tools, including:
| Tool | Function |
|---|---|
| Pen | Draw freehand lines. |
| Highlighter | Highlight text or areas. |
| Text Box | Add text to the screenshot. |
| Callout | Add a text box with an arrow pointing to a specific area. |
Step 9: Edit the Screenshot
In addition to annotations, you can also perform basic image editing operations in Paint, such as cropping, resizing, and adjusting brightness and contrast.
Step 10: Save the Edited Screenshot
Once you have finished editing the screenshot, click “File” > “Save” to overwrite the original file or “File” > “Save As” to save a new copy of the screenshot.
How To Screenshot On Thinkpad Lenovo
To take a screenshot on a ThinkPad Lenovo laptop, you can use the following methods:
- PrtScn key: Press the PrtScn key on your keyboard. This will capture a screenshot of the entire screen and copy it to the clipboard.
- Fn + PrtScn key: Press the Fn key and the PrtScn key simultaneously. This will capture a screenshot of the entire screen and save it as a PNG file in the Pictures library.
- Windows key + PrtScn key: Press the Windows key and the PrtScn key simultaneously. This will capture a screenshot of the entire screen and save it as a PNG file in the Screenshots folder.
- Snipping Tool: You can also use the Snipping Tool to take screenshots. Press the Windows key + S and type “Snipping Tool”. Click on the Snipping Tool icon to open the application. Select the type of screenshot you want to take (rectangular, freeform, window, or full screen) and then click on the New button. Drag the cursor to select the area you want to capture and then release the mouse button. The screenshot will be copied to the clipboard and you can paste it into any application.
People also ask
How do I change the screenshot format on my ThinkPad Lenovo?
You can change the screenshot format by changing the registry key. Press the Windows key + R and type “regedit”. Navigate to the following key:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer
Right-click on the Explorer key and select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value. Name the new value “ScreenshotImageFormat” and set its value to:
1 for PNG
2 for JPEG
3 for GIF
4 for BMP
Close the registry editor and restart your computer.
How do I take a screenshot of a specific area on my ThinkPad Lenovo?
You can use the Snipping Tool to take a screenshot of a specific area on your ThinkPad Lenovo. Press the Windows key + S and type “Snipping Tool”. Click on the Snipping Tool icon to open the application. Select the type of screenshot you want to take (rectangular, freeform, window, or full screen) and then click on the New button. Drag the cursor to select the area you want to capture and then release the mouse button. The screenshot will be copied to the clipboard and you can paste it into any application.
How do I take a screenshot and save it as a PDF on my ThinkPad Lenovo?
You can use the Snipping Tool to take a screenshot and save it as a PDF on your ThinkPad Lenovo. Press the Windows key + S and type “Snipping Tool”. Click on the Snipping Tool icon to open the application. Select the type of screenshot you want to take (rectangular, freeform, window, or full screen) and then click on the New button. Drag the cursor to select the area you want to capture and then release the mouse button. The screenshot will be copied to the clipboard. Open a new PDF document in your preferred PDF viewer and then press Ctrl + V to paste the screenshot into the document. Save the PDF document to your desired location.
