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Mastering Screenshots on Your Surface Pro 9: A Comprehensive Guide

The Surface Pro 9 is a powerhouse of productivity, blending the portability of a tablet with the functionality of a laptop. Capturing what’s on your screen is a fundamental skill, and thankfully, Microsoft provides several easy ways to take a screenshot on your Surface Pro 9. This guide will walk you through all the methods, from simple key combinations to more advanced techniques, ensuring you become a screenshot ninja in no time!

The Definitive Answer: How to Screenshot on a Surface Pro 9

You have multiple options for capturing screenshots on your Surface Pro 9:

Keyboard Shortcut (Windows Key + Volume Down): This is the most common and perhaps easiest method. Press and hold the Windows logo button on the front of your Surface Pro 9 (usually located on the bottom bezel) and simultaneously press the Volume Down button on the side of the device. The screen will briefly dim, indicating that a screenshot has been captured. The image is automatically saved to the Pictures > Screenshots folder.
Print Screen Key (PrtScn): Press the Print Screen key (often labeled PrtScn, PrntScrn, or similar) on your Surface Pro Type Cover (or any connected keyboard). This captures the entire screen to your clipboard. You then need to paste the image into an application like Paint, Word, or image editing software (Ctrl+V) to save it as a file.
Alt + Print Screen: This combination captures only the active window (the window you’re currently using) to your clipboard. As with the regular Print Screen key, you’ll need to paste the image into an application to save it.
Windows Key + Shift + S (Snip & Sketch): This is a powerful tool that allows you to capture a specific portion of your screen. Press Windows Key + Shift + S simultaneously. The screen will dim, and a small toolbar will appear at the top of the screen. You can choose to capture a rectangular snip, a freeform snip, a window snip, or a full-screen snip. The captured snip is copied to your clipboard, and a notification appears allowing you to edit it in the Snip & Sketch app before saving.
Using the Snipping Tool App: The Snipping Tool app is a pre-installed Windows application specifically designed for taking screenshots. You can search for “Snipping Tool” in the Windows search bar and open the app. It offers various modes (Free-form, Rectangular, Window, and Full-screen Snip) and allows you to add annotations before saving the screenshot.
Using the Game Bar: While primarily designed for gaming, the Game Bar can also be used to take screenshots of any application window. Press Windows Key + G to open the Game Bar. Click the camera icon to take a screenshot of the active window. The screenshot is saved in the Videos > Captures folder. This method is particularly useful if the regular Print Screen method isn’t working correctly.

Now that we’ve covered the main methods, let’s dive deeper with some frequently asked questions.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Screenshots on Surface Pro 9

Q1: Where are screenshots saved by default on my Surface Pro 9?

By default, screenshots taken using the Windows Key + Volume Down method are saved in the Pictures > Screenshots folder. Screenshots captured using the Game Bar are typically saved in the Videos > Captures folder. Screenshots copied to the clipboard using the Print Screen key require you to paste them into an application (like Paint) and save them from there.

Q2: How do I change the default save location for screenshots?

While there’s no direct setting within Windows to change the default folder for screenshots taken with Windows Key + Volume Down, you can create a shortcut to a different folder. Here’s how:

Create the desired folder for your screenshots (e.g., “My Screenshots”).
Right-click the “Screenshots” folder in your Pictures library and select “Properties.”
Go to the “Location” tab.
Click “Move…” and select your new “My Screenshots” folder.
Click “Apply” and then “OK.” Windows will ask if you want to move the existing files.

Q3: The “Windows Key + Volume Down” method isn’t working. What should I do?

If the Windows Key + Volume Down method isn’t working, try the following:

Ensure both buttons are pressed simultaneously. It can be tricky at first. A slight delay might prevent the screenshot from being taken.
Check your hardware buttons. Make sure the volume down button is functioning correctly in other applications.
Restart your Surface Pro 9. A simple restart can often resolve minor software glitches.
Update your Windows operating system. Outdated drivers or system files can sometimes cause issues. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and check for updates.
Try other screenshot methods. Use the Print Screen key, Snip & Sketch, or the Snipping Tool app as alternatives.

Q4: How do I annotate or edit a screenshot before saving it?

The Snip & Sketch tool provides built-in annotation features. After taking a snip with Windows Key + Shift + S, a notification appears in the bottom right corner. Click this notification to open the snip in the Snip & Sketch app. You can then use the pen, highlighter, eraser, and other tools to add annotations before saving the image. Alternatively, you can paste any screenshot into an image editing program like Paint, Paint 3D, or Photoshop for more advanced editing.

Q5: Can I take a screenshot of a video playing on my Surface Pro 9?

Yes, you can take screenshots of videos. Use any of the methods described above, such as the Print Screen key, Snip & Sketch, or the Game Bar, while the video is playing. However, some video players may have DRM (Digital Rights Management) that prevents screenshots. In such cases, you might only capture a black screen.

Q6: How do I take a scrolling screenshot on my Surface Pro 9?

Windows doesn’t have a built-in feature for taking scrolling screenshots (capturing an entire webpage or document that extends beyond the visible screen). You’ll need to use a third-party app or browser extension for this purpose. Some popular options include:

PicPick: A free and powerful screen capture and image editing tool.
ShareX: An open-source screen capture and productivity tool.
Awesome Screenshot (Chrome Extension): A popular Chrome extension for capturing full-page screenshots.

Q7: Is there a way to automatically save screenshots without having to paste them into an application?

Yes, using the Windows Key + Volume Down or Windows Key + Shift + S (Snip & Sketch) methods automatically saves screenshots to the specified folder (Pictures > Screenshots) after pressing Windows + V to past your clipboard to another location, or the clipboard option in Snip & Sketch after taking the screenshot with the Windows Key + Shift + S keybind.

Q8: How can I copy a screenshot directly to the cloud (e.g., OneDrive, Google Drive)?

The easiest way to achieve this is to ensure that your Pictures folder (including the Screenshots subfolder) is synced with your cloud storage service (OneDrive, Google Drive, Dropbox, etc.). Most cloud storage services offer automatic folder syncing. Once configured, any screenshots saved to the Pictures > Screenshots folder will automatically be uploaded to the cloud.

Q9: Why is my screenshot black or blank when I use Print Screen?

This can happen if you are trying to capture content protected by DRM, such as video playback in certain apps. It can also occur if your graphics drivers are outdated or corrupted. Try updating your graphics drivers through Device Manager or the manufacturer’s website. As an alternative, try using the Snip & Sketch tool or the Game Bar instead.

Q10: Can I use a Surface Pen to take screenshots?

While the Surface Pen doesn’t have a dedicated screenshot button, you can customize the pen’s buttons to launch the Snip & Sketch tool. Go to Settings > Devices > Pen & Windows Ink. Under “Pen shortcuts,” you can configure the single-click, double-click, and press-and-hold actions to open Snip & Sketch. This allows you to quickly initiate a screen capture using your Surface Pen.

Q11: How do I troubleshoot if the Snip & Sketch tool isn’t working?

If Snip & Sketch is not working correctly, try the following:

Restart your Surface Pro 9.
Reset the Snip & Sketch app. Go to Settings > Apps > Apps & features. Find “Snip & Sketch” in the list, click on it, select “Advanced options,” and then click “Reset.”
Reinstall Snip & Sketch. If resetting doesn’t work, try uninstalling and reinstalling the app from the Microsoft Store.
Run the Windows Store Apps troubleshooter. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters and run the “Windows Store Apps” troubleshooter.

Q12: Are there accessibility options for taking screenshots on the Surface Pro 9?

Yes. You can use the On-Screen Keyboard and combine it with the Windows Key + Volume Down method or the Print Screen key. The On-Screen Keyboard can be enabled in Settings > Accessibility > Keyboard. You can also use voice commands with Cortana or Windows Voice Recognition to open the Snipping Tool or initiate Snip & Sketch.

By mastering these various screenshot methods and understanding the troubleshooting tips, you’ll be well-equipped to capture anything you need on your Surface Pro 9, boosting your productivity and sharing capabilities. Happy snipping!