Taking screenshot is one of the most common things we do on our computers. It is known to all that “PrtSc”, “Win + PrtSc” or “Fn + PrtSc” are the keys to screenshot in Windows and “Command + Shift + 3/4” are the keys to capture screen on Mac. Mac OS X screenshot key combos (shortcuts) are a great way to capture images of exactly what you’re seeing on your computer screen. Taking screenshots on a Mac can be useful for a number of situations and it is a feature that, once you learn, you will constantly encounter situations to make use of.

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1. How to take a screenshot on your Mac To take a screenshot, press and hold these three keys together: Shift, Command, and 3. If you see a thumbnail in the corner of your screen, click it to edit the screenshot. Or wait for the screenshot to save to your desktop.
2. If you're using a Mac, though, you'll notice Apple doesn't include such a key. Don't worry, though, because we're about to look at the keyboard combinations and built-in tools you can use on your Mac to capture what you need from the screen. First, let's look at the keyboard combinations you can use to capture the image on your screen.
3. Mac OS X screenshot key combos (shortcuts) are a great way to capture images of exactly what you’re seeing on your computer screen. Taking screenshots on a Mac can be useful for a number of situations and it is a feature that, once you learn, you will constantly encounter situations to make use of.

If you need to take a screenshot on a Mac, you might be searching for a “Print Screen” button like on some keyboards.

But taking a screenshot on an Apple computer is a little bit different than taking a screenshot on a Windows machine. Print screen mac isn’t as simple as pushing one button.

On Windows PC, all you need to do is press the “PrtScr” or “Print Screen” key on your keyboard. After you press that key, Windows OS will automatically take a screenshot of your screen as a full-size, and save it to the clipboard.

In order to export or save this screenshot into an image file, you will need assistance from a picture editor program such as Microsoft Paint or Photoshop.

Just paste the content from the clipboard to the Paint program (or press Ctrl + V) and save it as a new image file.

But how do you take a screenshot on a Mac? This page will walk you through 3 keyboard shortcuts that will take different types of screenshots on your Mac.

Print Screen Options on Mac

On Mac OS X, there are more advanced print screen features. In fact, there are three methods you can use to take a screenshot of your Mac:

You can use any methods to capture a screenshot and save it to your desktop without the use of a photo editor (unlike on a PC).

There are three key combinations you can follow up to do a print screen on a Mac computer to take a screenshot.

Each keystroke has its job, to take a full-screen screenshot, a part of the screen or a screenshot of a particular application, depending on which key combination you use.

How do You Screenshot on a Mac – Take A Screenshot Of The Full Screen

If you want to take screenshots of your entire screen, use this shortcut:

Command + Shift + 3

Do a print screen on Mac OS X computer with a simple shortcut.

When you press Command + Shift + 3, your Mac computer with taking a screenshot of your whole screen and save it to your desktop.

If you are using more than one monitor, this shortcut will take a larger image file, which includes all connected monitors.

Take a Screenshot of Just Part of Your Screen

If you only want to take a screenshot of a small portion of the screen, use this keystroke:

Command + Shift + 4

When you press these keys on your keyboard, a selection box will show up, and allow you to choose a particular area of your Mac screen to capture. Then, it automatically saves it as a picture file to the desktop of your Mac.

So, here are the complete instructions to take a Mac screenshot of a selected area::

1. Hit Command + Shift + 4 and then your mouse cursor will change to a crosshair pointer.
2. Move your crosshair pointer to the position that you want to capture the screenshot.
3. Drag to choose an area and then release the mouse button. The screenshot will automatically be captured.

While you are dragging the crosshair pointer, you also can hold Shift, Option, or Space to change the way you choose the part of your screen to take a screenshot.

If you have selected a part of your Mac screen, but you change your mind and want to choose another area, just press Esc to cancel.

Take A Screenshot Of A Specific Window

To take a screenshot of a particular application on your Mac OS X computer, just follow these instructions:

1. Press these keys at the same time: Command + Shift + 4.
2. After pressing these keys, Mac’s cursor will change to “+“.
3. Next step, press Spacebar (or Space key), the cursor will turn itself into a camera icon.
4. Just move the camera icon and then click on the application you want to take the screenshot.

Finding a Screenshot File

For all of the above methods, the image file will automatically save to your Mac’s desktop as a PNG file (as opposed to a JPG), with a name like “Screen Shot xx-xx-xx“. These “xx-xx-xx” digits were generated automatically according to the date and time when the screenshot was created.

List of screenshot files, which generated by Print Screen Mac function.

If you don’t want to clutter your desktop or Finder, you can change the default location where screenshots are saved using the Mac command terminal.

If you are running a newer operating system, like Mojave, the functions are a little more advanced, but the basic keystrokes are the same.

Looking for some additional functionality apart from the conventional print screen mac? Here are five best screen capture apps to help you take more advanced screengrabs on your Mac.

Try these apps, and maybe you will like to use them more than using keystrokes.

A screenshot is an image captured of whatever is on your screen. It is well-known that you can take a screenshot for entire screen with the Print Screen button; however, what about screenshot specific area on PC?

In fact, there are both built-in utilities and third-part tools able to capture custom region and send the screenshot to clipboard or save as an image. This guide identifies three easiest methods and shares their steps.

Part 1: Screenshot a Part of Screen with Button Combination

In addition to the single Print Screen key, you can use some shortcuts on PCs to take screenshots based on your need. To screenshot a specific area, like a window, for example, Alt + Print Screen buttons are available.

Step 1: Put whatever you want to screenshot on your desktop, such as a program window or a video playback.

Step 2: Press Alt + Print Screen buttons together if you wish to screenshot an active window. To screenshot a part of screen, press Win + Shift + S at the same time.

Step 3: Search for MS Paint in Start menu at the bottom left corner of your desktop. Then open it and click Paste menu on the top ribbon to paste the screenshot. Then you can crop the screenshot on Windows as you like.

Step 4: Edit it as a normal picture. Then go to File menu, select Save as and choose a proper format. On the popup dialog, navigate to a location, enter a filename and click the Save button

Part 2: How to Screenshot Specific Area on PC with Snipping Tool

The Snipping Tool is a built-in utility to take screenshot for specific area on PC. Moreover, you can use the basic picture editing tool to redesign the screenshot.

Step 1: Go to your Start menu at the bottom left corner, search for Snipping Tool and open it.

Step 2: Click the Mode menu on the too menu bar and choose a proper mode. To screenshot a specific area on PC, you can select Rectangular Snip, Windows Snip or Free-form Snip.

Tip: To change destination folder and more, click Options menu.

Step 3: Next, hit the New menu and your screen will turn to gray. Click the window if you select Window Snip. Or use your cursor to cover the desired area.

Step 4: Release your mouse and the screenshot will be put in the editing panel. Then simply edit it and click the Save icon to save screenshot to your hard drive. Alternative, press the Clipboard icon to send it to your clipboard.

Key Combination For Screenshot Mac Computer

More screenshots tools on Windows like Snipping Tool are here.

Part 3: Best Free Way to Screenshot a Part of Screen

Many people do not like pre-installed utilities and shortcuts, partly because they are too simple sometimes. The screenshot shortcut, for example, does not offer any picture editing. Vidmore Screen Recorder is a more flexible option to screenshot part of your screen.

• Take a screenshot for any part of your screen easily.
• Completely free to use with no restriction, like signup.
• Offer extensive bonus functionalities, like picture editing.

Key Combination For Screenshot Mac

Briefly speaking, it is the best way to take a screenshot for specific area on PCs.

How to Screenshot Specific Area on PC

Step 1: Install screenshot utility

When you want to screenshot a specific area on PC, install the best screenshot utility. There is another version for Mac. Click the Menu icon at the upper right side and choose Preferences. Go to the Output tab, and change Screenshot format and Location of screenshot files. Otherwise, the utility will save screenshots as PNG files and store it in picture library.

Tip: Though the screenshot function is just a part of the software, you can use it for free without ads or registration.

Step 2: Screenshot specific area

Enter the screen you wish to capture, such as a window. Turn to the screenshot utility and click Screen Capture. Then your cursor will turn to a cross. If take a screenshot on a window, click on it. For custom region, click and drag your left mouse to get it.

Step 3: Edit and save screenshot

When screenshotting specific part on PC is done, let left mouse go and the menu bar will pop up. Now, you can add shape, text or painting to the screenshot. Pick the right tool, select other and other options, and add it to your screenshot directly. If you are not satisfied with the painting, the Eraser icon can remove it. Finally, click on the Save button to export the screenshot to your hard drive. If you intend to use the screenshot in other programs, select the Clipboard button instead.

Part 4: FAQs of Screenshot Part of Screen

How do I screenshot a specific area on iPad?

When you see the screen you want to screenshot, hold down both Home and Power buttons together until your screen flashes. For iPad Pro 2020, replace Home button with Volume Up. Then go to Photos app, find the screenshot and crop unwanted part. Otherwise, you can use a third-party screenshot app to get it.

Where is the Print Screen key?

The Print Screen key is usually on the top line of your keyboard next to function keys. Sometimes, it is abbreviated as Prscr, PRTSC, PrtScrn, Ps, etc.

Where are print screens saved?

By default, screenshots are saved in your clipboard if you use the Print Screen key. Then you can go to a proper program, like Office Word, and paste the screenshot directly. The location folder is different depending on what way you use. In most cases, the default location is C: UsersYour Namepictures on PC.

Keys For Screenshot Pc

Key Combination For Screenshot Mac Os

This guide has talked about how to screenshot a specific area on PC. It is a useful screen to take pictures for everything on your desktop. The shortcut is the easiest way to do it, though you cannot edit the screenshots directly. If you prefer to Snipping Tool, it can meet your need too. Vidmore Screen Recorder is worth to try as well. More importantly, it offers pro-level functions in the way that everyone can master quickly. More questions related to screenshot a part on PC, leave a message below.