Screenshot Definition - Printable Version

A screenshot, or screen capture, is a picture taken of your computer's desktop. This may include the desktop background, icons of files and folders, and open windows. It may also include whatever is being displayed by currently running programs. Screenshots are and easy way to save something you see on the screen, such as an open window, image, or text article. However, because screenshots are saved in an image format, the text saved in a screenshot will not be editable.

Both the Mac OS and Windows operating systems make it easy to take screenshots. Just use the following keyboard shortcuts to capture the current screen displayed on your computer:

Mac OS X:
Command-Shift-3: Saves a screenshot of the entire desktop to an image file on the desktop.
Command-Shift-4: Saves a screenshot of a selection selected with the cursor to an image file on the desktop.
Command-Control-Shift-3: Saves a screenshot of the entire desktop to the clipboard.
Command-Control-Shift-4: Saves a screenshot or a selection selected with the cursor to the clipboard.

Windows XP:
Print Screen: Saves a screenshot of the entire desktop to the clipboard.
Alt+Print Screen: Saves a screenshot of the active window to the clipboard.

Screenshot

Updated: November 10, 2006

Tech Factor: 4/10