The Windows operating system makes it easy to capture screenshots. You may have your preferred method of taking screenshots since there are many ways to do so.

No matter which method you prefer, we will share tips and tricks to help you be more adept at taking screenshots on Windows.

1. Remove the "Activate Windows" Watermark

Unless you have activated your Windows, you might see an "Activate Windows" watermark in the bottom-right corner of your screen. Besides hindering the display and annoying us, the watermark also sneaks its way into screenshots.

Because the watermark occupies much of the screen, Windows users have difficulty taking screenshots. So, if you are interested in capturing the whole screen, you must remove the watermark. If that's the case for you, too, there's a super smart way to get rid of it.

Although different methods exist to remove the watermark, we will show you how to remove it with just a few tweaks in Registry Editor. Simply follow these steps:

  1. Right-click the Start button and choose Run.
  2. Enter "Regedit" and click OK.
  3. In the Registry Editor, navigate to the following path.
    HKEY_CURRENT_USER > Control Panel > Desktop
  4. In the right-hand pane, locate the PaintDesktopVersion key.
  5. Double-click it to modify its settings.
  6. In the Value data field, type "0" and click OK.
    Changing the Registry Key Value in Windows Registry Editor

Once you've done that, reboot your computer, and you won't see the watermark next time you log in. By removing it, you can comfortably take screenshots without worrying about the watermark sneaking in from the corner.

2. Choose the Perfect Way to Capture the Screenshot

As already mentioned, there are numerous ways to take screenshots in Windows. However, to maximize your productivity, you should choose the right method based on the situation. Here are a few tips to help you choose the right way if you are always stuck:

  1. Use Window's Snipping Tool app to take a delayed screenshot and capture the screen in a specific mode (rectangular snip, full-screen snip, etc.).
  2. Use the built-in Snip & Sketch app in Windows if you want to capture a screenshot, edit it, and share it with your colleague.
  3. If you want to enjoy additional features like a powerful editor and the ability to save images to the cloud directly, you should opt for a third-party app – Snagit is one of the most popular choices.
  4. If the Print Screen button isn't available on your keyboard or doesn't register properly, know that you can remap another key to Print Screen or use the on-screen keyboard instead. Hence, don't fret if this happens and remap another key.

Based on your needs, the above tips should help you choose the right tool to take screenshots on Windows.

3. Use the Quick Way to Hide Personal Information

It is often necessary to edit screenshots to hide personal information when capturing them. Although you can edit an image online, using professional software, or with a dedicated third-party app. You should consider using Paint 3D, a built-in Windows app for quick edits.

Paint 3D makes it super easy to edit screenshots and save them directly. That saves you from the hassle of renaming the file or saving multiple copies, making it challenging to find the edited one later.

To edit a screenshot in Paint 3D properly, follow these steps:

  1. Take a screenshot using your preferred method and save it in your folder.
  2. Then, right-click the image file and select Paint 3D from the context menu.
  3. Use Paint 3D's amazing features to edit your image.
  4. After you have finished editing, click on the Menu in the top-left corner and hit Save.
    Editing an Image in Paint 3D Software

That's it. You won't have to rename the file or pick where to save the edited file, as the app replaces the original screenshots with the edited ones, making the editing process faster and managing images easier. However, since the actual image file will be replaced, you may end up losing the original if you save the wrong edited image.

4. Save Your Screenshot in the Right Format

Unless the method you use to take screenshots allows you to save the image files in a specific format, it's crucial to save them accurately. Generally, all image files are saved in two popular formats; PNG and JPEG. The former format compresses the image file at a high quality, while the latter yields lower quality.

Even though we should prefer to save our images in the highest quality possible (with PNG format), this has two drawbacks. First, the higher the quality, the larger the image will be, and secondly, it will take longer for the image to load. On the other hand, JPEGs are smaller in size and process quicker; however, you may have to sacrifice quality.

Windows allows its users to save images in their preferred format. You can select the preferred format while choosing where the screenshot will be saved. So, before hitting Save, select your preferred format from the dropdown.

Saving the Image in Different Formats in Windows File Explorer5. Take the Help of Keyboard Shortcuts

Taking screenshots with keyboard shortcuts is another way to make the process more efficient. Using Windows shortcuts, such as Print Screen or opening Snip and Sketch with the keyboard shortcuts (Win + Shift + S), can significantly speed up the process.

Refer to the Microsoft documentation for more information about the other shortcuts you have at your disposal to quickly use the Windows Snipping Tool or Snip and Sketch app.

General Tips to Capture Screenshots the Right Way in Windows

Here are a few more tips you should keep in mind when taking screenshots in Windows:

  1. Do not make your images too text-heavy. Instead, focus on capturing the main point you want to convey.
  2. Consider capturing focused screenshots whenever possible.
  3. Do not cut out the critical information from the screenshot.
  4. Don't use third-party screenshot tools that save them on the cloud to avoid compromising your security.
  5. Share screenshots online only after double-checking for private data.

The Right Way to Capture Screenshots in Windows

Hopefully, following the tips covered in this article will enable you to capture high-end screenshots that too to the level of perfection. Therefore, the next time you grab a screenshot on Windows, don't forget to try these tips and tricks.

Windows 11 supports many hotkeys for taking screenshots, just like Windows 10. Therefore, if you have already upgraded, try to use them to capture great screenshots.