How to take a screenshot using a Microsoft Surface

Whether you want to capture friends and relatives making funny faces on Skype or need accessible photos of online resources or programs, screenshots benefit users in many ways. Since the Surface Pros are a bit different than other2-in-1 laptops, however, you may find yourself wondering how to take a screenshot on one. Here, we take the mystery out of the

Difficulty

What You Need

Microsoft Surface Pro

Microsoft Type Cover

Microsoft Snipping Tool

Microsoft Surface Pen

But what if you want totake a screenshoton a tablet? Most methods for doing so feature capturing an image via a button combination or tool. For Microsoft Surface users, there are several separate methods forcapturing screenshotsof your tablet’s display.

Whether you’re utilizing a Touch or Type Cover, use the tablet by itself, or rely on a Surface Pen, our extensive guide will have you taking screenshots on your Surface in no time.

Using buttons

These units don’t have a Windows button, but you can still take a screenshot. Here’s how:

Step 1:Hold down thePowerbutton.

Step 2:Press theVolume upbutton.

Again, the screen will flicker, and the screenshot saves to the same location.

Using the Type Cover

There’s no Windows button on the tablet itself, but the Type Covers do include a Print Screen feature. It’s located on the F8 key, meaning the Function key needs to be disabled first. Press it, and the tiny LED turns off, signifying that the Function keys are disabled.

Using the Snipping Tool

The Snipping Tool lets you take screenshots of either the entire display or sections of it.

Step 1:Type “snip” in the taskbar’s search field and either left-click on the icon to open the application or right-click the icon to pin it to the Start Menu or taskbar.

The Snipping Tool provides a few options once it’s open:New,Mode,Delay,Cancel, orOptions.

Step 2:Select one of four modes:

Step 3:SelectNew, and respond accordingly.

For example, with Rectangular Snip, the cursor turns into a set of crosshairs that can then be used to create a capture field encompassing a specific portion of the display. Simply drag the resulting cursor over the target area before releasing it to capture the screenshot.

Step 4:Save the screenshot in any location as a JPEG, PNG, or GIF file. Annotate the clip using a Surface Pen, if available.

Surface Duo

Microsoft provides two ways to take a screenshot on its Surface-branded phone.

Step 1:Press and hold thePowerbutton.

Step 2:SelectScreenshot.

Alternatively, press and hold thePowerandVolume downbuttons simultaneously. The capture goes to theAlbums>Screenshotsfolder in the Photos app.

Using a Surface Pen

The Surface Pen utilizes an active digitizer within the display, allowing for clearcut precision and detailed pen input. This tool also offers buttons you can customize that give you the ability to perform tasks like erasing, writing, opening apps, and more. One of the Surface Pen’s best and most convenient features is saving screenshots to OneNote on either the app or a desktop.

We’ll go over a few steps below to show you how you can configure your Surface Pen button. It’s a straightforward process:

Step 1:Go to theAction centerand select theAll settingsoption.

Step 2:From theSettingsapp, selectDevicesfrom the list.

Step 3:Look for thePen & Windows Inkon the left and select it.

Step 4:Scroll all the way down until you seePen shortcutsfor personalizing theClick once,Double-click, andPress and holdassignments. It’s worth noting that the choices available will largely depend on what type of Surface Pen model you have access to.

So, that’s how you may take a screenshot on your Microsoft Surface Pro. If you’re a bit irritated with the system or just want to try something new, check out theseMicrosoft Surface Pro alternativesthat will be easier to take screenshots on.