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Home » How to screenshot on Microsoft Surface Pro 7?

How to screenshot on Microsoft Surface Pro 7?

May 30, 2025 by TinyGrab Team Leave a Comment

Table of Contents

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  • How to Screenshot on Your Microsoft Surface Pro 7: A Masterclass
    • Unveiling the Screenshot Arsenal: Multiple Methods Explored
      • Method 1: The Keyboard Shortcut (Windows Key + Volume Down)
      • Method 2: The Snipping Tool: Precision and Control
      • Method 3: The Improved Snip & Sketch: Snipping Tool’s Successor
      • Method 4: The Print Screen Key: A Classic Approach
      • Method 5: Alt + Print Screen: Capturing the Active Window
    • Troubleshooting Common Screenshot Issues
    • FAQs: Your Screenshot Queries Answered
      • 1. Where are my screenshots saved by default?
      • 2. Can I change the default save location for screenshots?
      • 3. How do I take a scrolling screenshot on my Surface Pro 7?
      • 4. Can I take a screenshot of a video?
      • 5. What file format are screenshots saved in by default?
      • 6. How can I edit a screenshot after taking it?
      • 7. Is there a way to delay taking a screenshot?
      • 8. Can I take a screenshot using the Surface Pen?
      • 9. How do I share a screenshot immediately after taking it?
      • 10. My screenshots are blurry. What can I do?
      • 11. Does taking screenshots affect my Surface Pro 7’s performance?
      • 12. Are there any keyboard shortcuts to directly open the Snipping Tool or Snip & Sketch?

How to Screenshot on Your Microsoft Surface Pro 7: A Masterclass

The Microsoft Surface Pro 7, a sleek and powerful 2-in-1, is a productivity powerhouse. Capturing your screen – whether it’s for sharing a hilarious meme, documenting a bug, or archiving important information – is a fundamental skill. Fear not, fellow Surface users! This guide unveils every trick in the book to master the art of the screenshot. Let’s dive in.

How to screenshot on Microsoft Surface Pro 7?

There are several methods, but the quickest and most common is by pressing the Windows key + Volume Down button simultaneously. The screen will briefly dim, indicating that a screenshot has been taken and automatically saved to the “Screenshots” folder within your “Pictures” library.

Unveiling the Screenshot Arsenal: Multiple Methods Explored

Beyond the basic shortcut, your Surface Pro 7 offers a range of options to capture your screen, catering to different needs and preferences.

Method 1: The Keyboard Shortcut (Windows Key + Volume Down)

This is your bread-and-butter technique, the go-to method for quickly grabbing a full-screen image.

  1. Ensure the content you want to capture is displayed on your screen.
  2. Press and hold the Windows key (located at the bottom left of your keyboard).
  3. While holding the Windows key, press the Volume Down button (usually on the side of the Surface).
  4. The screen will flash momentarily, confirming the screenshot.
  5. Find your masterpiece in the “Screenshots” folder within your “Pictures” library.

Method 2: The Snipping Tool: Precision and Control

The Snipping Tool is a built-in Windows application that offers far more control over your screenshots. You can capture specific regions, free-form shapes, or entire windows.

  1. Search for “Snipping Tool” in the Windows search bar and open the application.
  2. Choose your desired “Mode”:
    • Free-form Snip: Draw any shape around the area you want to capture.
    • Rectangular Snip: Drag a rectangle around the desired area.
    • Window Snip: Select a specific window to capture.
    • Full-screen Snip: Captures the entire screen, just like the keyboard shortcut.
  3. Click “New” (or use the Windows key + Shift + S shortcut to launch the snipping tool directly).
  4. Select the area you want to capture based on your chosen mode.
  5. The screenshot will appear in the Snipping Tool window, where you can annotate it with a pen or highlighter and then save it to your desired location and format.

Method 3: The Improved Snip & Sketch: Snipping Tool’s Successor

Snip & Sketch is the modern successor to the Snipping Tool, offering a cleaner interface and enhanced features.

  1. Use the Windows key + Shift + S shortcut to activate Snip & Sketch. A small toolbar will appear at the top of your screen.
  2. Select your desired snipping mode: Rectangular, Freeform, Window, or Fullscreen.
  3. Capture your screenshot.
  4. A notification will appear in the bottom right corner of your screen. Click on it to open the screenshot in the Snip & Sketch editor.
  5. Annotate, crop, or share your screenshot, then save it to your desired location and format.

Method 4: The Print Screen Key: A Classic Approach

The Print Screen (PrtScn) key captures a screenshot of your entire screen, but it doesn’t automatically save it as a file.

  1. Press the PrtScn key (usually located in the upper right area of your keyboard).
  2. The screenshot is copied to your clipboard.
  3. Open an image editing program like Paint, Photoshop, or even Microsoft Word.
  4. Paste the screenshot using Ctrl + V.
  5. Edit and save the image as desired.

Method 5: Alt + Print Screen: Capturing the Active Window

This shortcut captures only the currently active window, avoiding the need to crop out unnecessary parts of the screen.

  1. Ensure the window you want to capture is active (selected).
  2. Press Alt + PrtScn simultaneously.
  3. The screenshot of the active window is copied to your clipboard.
  4. Open an image editing program.
  5. Paste the screenshot using Ctrl + V.
  6. Edit and save the image.

Troubleshooting Common Screenshot Issues

Sometimes, things don’t go as planned. Here are some common issues and their solutions:

  • Screenshot doesn’t save automatically: Make sure the “Screenshots” folder exists in your “Pictures” library. If it doesn’t, create it manually. If using PrtScn, remember it only copies to the clipboard, requiring pasting into an editor.
  • Volume Down button not working: Ensure the button is physically functional. Try adjusting the volume using other methods to confirm the button’s functionality.
  • Snip & Sketch not working: Restart your Surface Pro 7. If the issue persists, check for Windows updates. Snip & Sketch is often updated via Windows Update.
  • Black screen screenshot: This can happen when capturing protected content (like DRM-protected videos). There’s usually no workaround for this due to copyright protection measures.

FAQs: Your Screenshot Queries Answered

Here are 12 frequently asked questions to further refine your screenshot prowess on the Surface Pro 7.

1. Where are my screenshots saved by default?

Screenshots taken using the Windows key + Volume Down method are saved in the “Screenshots” folder within your “Pictures” library.

2. Can I change the default save location for screenshots?

While you can’t directly change the default location for the Windows key + Volume Down shortcut, you can change the save location for screenshots taken with the Snipping Tool or Snip & Sketch by saving them to your preferred folder.

3. How do I take a scrolling screenshot on my Surface Pro 7?

Unfortunately, Windows doesn’t have a built-in scrolling screenshot feature. You’ll need to use a third-party application like ShareX, PicPick, or similar tools that offer this functionality.

4. Can I take a screenshot of a video?

Yes, you can take screenshots of videos. However, keep in mind that some streaming services may implement DRM (Digital Rights Management) that prevents screenshots of their content.

5. What file format are screenshots saved in by default?

Screenshots taken using the Windows key + Volume Down method are saved as PNG (.png) files.

6. How can I edit a screenshot after taking it?

You can open the screenshot in an image editing program like Paint, Photoshop, Snip & Sketch (after taking the screenshot), or other similar software to edit it.

7. Is there a way to delay taking a screenshot?

Yes, the Snipping Tool and Snip & Sketch both offer a delay option. You can set a delay of a few seconds to allow time to set up the screen before the screenshot is taken.

8. Can I take a screenshot using the Surface Pen?

The Surface Pen doesn’t have a dedicated screenshot button. However, you can use it within the Snipping Tool or Snip & Sketch to draw and annotate your screenshots.

9. How do I share a screenshot immediately after taking it?

After taking a screenshot with the Snipping Tool or Snip & Sketch, you can use the “Share” button within the application to directly share it via email, messaging apps, or other compatible applications.

10. My screenshots are blurry. What can I do?

Ensure your display resolution is set to the recommended settings. Also, check the quality settings in the third-party screenshot tool if you’re using one. Low-quality settings can result in blurry screenshots.

11. Does taking screenshots affect my Surface Pro 7’s performance?

Taking screenshots generally has a negligible impact on performance. However, taking many screenshots in quick succession might temporarily slow down the system, especially on devices with limited resources.

12. Are there any keyboard shortcuts to directly open the Snipping Tool or Snip & Sketch?

Yes, the keyboard shortcut Windows key + Shift + S directly opens Snip & Sketch (or the Snipping Tool if Snip & Sketch is disabled). This is the fastest way to access these powerful screenshot tools.

Mastering these screenshot techniques will significantly enhance your productivity and communication on your Microsoft Surface Pro 7. Now go forth and capture the world (on your screen)!

Filed Under: Tech & Social

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