Capturing a "whole page" on Windows can refer to two distinct scenarios: either taking a screenshot of everything currently visible on your screen (a full-screen capture), or capturing an entire scrolling webpage or document that extends beyond your visible monitor. This guide will provide exact answers for both.
Capturing the Entire Visible Screen (Full-Screen Screenshot)
To quickly grab everything displayed on your monitor, Windows offers several built-in tools and keyboard shortcuts. The captured image is typically saved to your clipboard or a designated folder, ready for editing or sharing.
1. Using the Print Screen Key (PrtScn)
The PrtScn key (sometimes labeled Print Screen, PrtSc, or Psc) is your most basic tool for full-screen captures.
- PrtScn Key Alone:
- Press the
PrtScnkey. - The entire screen's image is copied to your clipboard.
- Open an image editor (like Paint, Paint 3D, or even Word) and press
Ctrl + Vto paste the image. You can then save it as a file (e.g., PNG, JPEG).
- Press the
- Windows Key + PrtScn:
- Press
Windows key+PrtScnsimultaneously. - Your screen will dim briefly to indicate a successful capture.
- The screenshot is automatically saved as an image file (usually PNG) in your
Pictures>Screenshotsfolder.
- Press
- Ctrl + Alt + PrtScn:
- Another key combination for capturing the full screen is to press and hold
Ctrl+Alttogether, then press thePrtScnkey. - This sends the entire screen's image to your clipboard, ready for pasting into any application.
- Another key combination for capturing the full screen is to press and hold
2. Using the Snipping Tool or Snip & Sketch
Windows 10 and 11 offer modern screenshot utilities that provide more flexibility, including a full-screen mode.
- Snip & Sketch (Windows 10/11):
- Press
Windows key+Shift+S. This will dim your screen and bring up a small toolbar at the top. - Select the Full-screen Snip icon (the rightmost icon, typically a square outline).
- The entire screen will be captured and copied to your clipboard. A notification will appear, allowing you to click it to open the Snip & Sketch editor for annotations and saving.
- Press
- Snipping Tool (Older Windows versions or as an alternative):
- Search for "Snipping Tool" in the Windows search bar and open it.
- Click "New," then select "Full-screen Snip" from the "Mode" dropdown menu.
- The screenshot will appear in the Snipping Tool window, where you can save, annotate, or copy it.
Comparison of Full-Screen Capture Methods
Here's a quick overview of the methods for capturing your entire visible screen:
| Method | Keys/Steps | Output | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| PrtScn Key | Press PrtScn |
Clipboard | Quick capture to paste immediately into an app. |
| Windows Key + PrtScn | Press Windows key + PrtScn |
Image file in Pictures/Screenshots |
Automatic saving of entire screen without needing to open an editor. |
| Ctrl + Alt + PrtScn | Press Ctrl + Alt + PrtScn |
Clipboard | A specific key combination for capturing the full screen to the clipboard. |
| Snipping Tool / Snip & Sketch | Windows key + Shift + S (Full-screen mode) |
Clipboard, optional editor | Precise control, immediate basic editing, and flexible saving options. |
Capturing a Scrolling Webpage or Document (Beyond the Visible Screen)
Standard Windows screenshot tools are generally designed for visible content only. To capture a "whole page" that requires scrolling (like a long article or document), you'll need specialized browser features or third-party tools.
1. Using Web Browser Features
Many modern web browsers have built-in capabilities to capture full-page screenshots, eliminating the need for extensions.
- Microsoft Edge:
- Open the webpage you want to capture.
- Press
Ctrl+Shift+S(or click the "Web capture" icon on the toolbar). - In the Web Capture menu, select "Capture full page."
- The browser will scroll and capture the entire page, then open it in an editor where you can save, annotate, or copy.
- Mozilla Firefox:
- Open the webpage.
- Right-click anywhere on the page and select "Take Screenshot."
- In the screenshot toolbar that appears, choose "Save full page."
- You can then download the image file directly or copy it.
- Google Chrome (Developer Tools):
- Open the webpage.
- Press
Ctrl+Shift+Ito open Developer Tools. - Once Developer Tools are open, press
Ctrl+Shift+Pto open the Command Menu. - Type "screenshot" and select "Capture full size screenshot."
- The full page will be downloaded as a PNG file.
2. Using Browser Extensions
For browsers without built-in full-page screenshot features, or for enhanced functionality, extensions are an excellent solution.
- Examples of Popular Extensions:
- GoFullPage (Chrome, Edge): A highly-rated extension that captures the entire page (including hidden content) and provides options to save as PNG, JPEG, or PDF.
- FireShot (Chrome, Firefox, Edge): Offers more advanced features, including capturing selected areas, entire pages, and even all tabs, with editing and upload options.
- Awesome Screenshot & Screen Recorder (Chrome, Firefox, Edge): Captures full pages, visible parts, or selected areas, and offers recording capabilities.
- How to Use:
- Install the desired extension from your browser's add-on store.
- Navigate to the webpage you want to capture.
- Click the extension's icon in your browser toolbar (usually in the top-right corner).
- Select the "Capture full page" or similar option.
- The extension will typically process the page and open the screenshot in a new tab or window, where you can save or edit it.
3. Using Specialized Third-Party Software
For more comprehensive screenshot and annotation needs, dedicated software offers powerful scrolling capture capabilities.
- ShareX: A free, open-source tool with a robust scrolling capture feature, along with advanced editing, annotation, and upload options.
- PicPick: Combines a screen capture tool with an image editor, offering scrolling window capture, color picker, pixel ruler, and more.
- Snagit: A professional-grade tool (paid) known for its advanced scrolling capture, video recording, and extensive editing features.
Practical Tips for Effective Screenshots
- Choose the Right Format: PNG is generally preferred for screenshots as it offers lossless compression, preserving image quality, especially for text and graphics. JPEG is suitable for photographic images where file size is a concern.
- Organize Your Screenshots: Use the
Pictures > Screenshotsfolder (forWindows Key + PrtScn) or create a dedicated folder to keep your captures organized. - Annotate for Clarity: Tools like Snip & Sketch or third-party software allow you to add arrows, text, and highlights to your screenshots, making them clearer and more informative.
By understanding these various methods, you can efficiently capture "whole pages" on your Windows computer, whether it's what's currently visible or a long, scrolling document.
