How to Take Screenshot on a Mac Running Windows: A Comprehensive Guide

Whether you are running Windows on a Mac or working within a dual-boot system, taking screenshots can be accomplished efficiently with the right shortcuts and tools. This guide will walk you through various methods to capture full screen, active window, and selective area screenshots on a Mac running Windows.

Full Screen Screenshot

To capture a screenshot of the entire screen on a Mac running Windows, follow these steps:

Press the PrtScn (Print Screen) button. This key is typically located on the top of the keyboard, often above the number pad. The screenshot will be copied to the clipboard. You can paste it into any image editing program like Paint by pressing Ctrl V.

Active Window Screenshot

To capture only the active window on a Mac running Windows, use the following combination:

Press Alt PrtScn. This will capture only the currently active window and copy it to the clipboard.

Selected Area Screenshot

If you are using Windows 10 or later, you have access to more advanced screenshot tools:

Press Windows Shift S. This will activate the Snipping Tool and dim the screen, allowing you to select the area you want to capture. The screenshot will be copied to the clipboard for easy pasting.

Saving Screenshot Directly

If you prefer to save your screenshots directly as files, you can use the built-in Windows Snipping Tool:

Search for Windows Snipping Tool in the Start menu or press Windows S to quickly access it. Use the tool to capture the desired area and save it directly to your desired folder.

Mixed Methods: Command Keys vs. Print Screen Keys

On a standard Mac, you have a few keyboard shortcut options for capturing screenshots:

Mac: Command Shift 3, Command Shift 4, Command Shift 5

Each of these shortcuts serves a different purpose:

Command Shift 3: Cuts the entire screen to the clipboard. Command Shift 4: Enables a crosshairs cursor to select a specific area. Command Shift 5: Launches the full-screen screenshot utility.

While the Mac has these shortcut keys, the Windows Print Screen key also serves the purpose of capturing the entire screen and copying it to the clipboard.

Additional Tips for Windows Users on Mac

When working with Windows on a Mac, you can enhance your screenshot capabilities by following these tips:

Exit Coherence mode if necessary. This can help you get a clear screenshot of the Mac portion of the display. To save a screenshot directly to the Pictures folder, simply use the Windows Print Screen key (PrntScrn). You can also use Windows Shift S to capture a specific area and save it to the clipboard using Ctrl V.

By mastering these techniques, you can quickly and easily capture screenshots on a Mac running Windows, enhancing your productivity and ensuring you have the necessary visuals for your work or projects.