Alt Print Screen

Question

I am running Windows 10 and I used to be able to press Alt Print Screen to copy only the active window, but now when I try this I get the whole screen.

Please can you tell me how to get back to copying the active window only?

Thanks.

Answer 1

Hi,

You might want to check if Microsoft OneDrive is running, and make sure the “Save screenshots I capture to OneDrive” option is turned on in the settings. That usually brings back the Alt + PrtSc shortcut for capturing just the active window.

Answer 2

Use the built-in Windows shortcuts that specifically capture only the active window:

1. Click once on the window that should be captured so it becomes the active window.
2. Press Alt + Print Screen.
3. Open an app such as Word, Outlook, or Paint.
4. Press Ctrl + V to paste the screenshot.

If the whole screen is still being captured, use Snipping Tool’s window mode instead:

1. Arrange the screen so the desired window is visible.
2. Press Windows logo key + Shift + S.
3. In the mini toolbar that appears, select Window mode.
4. Click the window to capture it.
5. The image is copied to the clipboard; open an app and press Ctrl + V to paste, or click the notification to edit and save it in Snipping Tool.

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References:

• Copy the window or screen contents
• Keyboard shortcut for print screen