The Do's and Don'ts of Screenshots

The ability to capture a screen with the keyboard has been part of computers for years. It works well for troubleshooting or for showing someone what happened on your screen. A little care before you press the key can help you avoid the most common mistakes.

Three rules before you press the key

1. Capture only what is needed. This keeps the file small and removes irrelevant background detail. To capture just the window you are working in, hold Alt while you press Print Screen. Then open an image creation or editing program to save the capture.
2. Check for confidential data. Many people accidentally include a name, address, phone number, or credit card detail in a screenshot. Look over the image before you show it to anyone else.
3. Choose the right file format. Saving a screenshot as a JPG keeps the file small and makes it easy to transfer, upload, or download. If detail and quality matter, save it as a PNG to keep more of the image while still working with a reasonable file size.

These small checks take only a moment, and they make a screenshot safer and easier to share.