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I want to take screenshots during gameplay. This is on a PC with Windows 7. I don't want to use Fraps because my PC sucks and can barely run the game.

What are my options? I would prefer something like the OS X screen capture with Command-Shift-3.

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Using greenshot it is not necessary to have the game window minimized. You can configure it to save the image directly, instead of opening it in an image editor and it wont grab focus. – bronzebeard Apr 10 '11 at 9:57

5 Answers

up vote 16 down vote accepted

I agree with Oak that Steam is a very viable option for taking screenshots in-game as well as the stock print screen mechanic.

I would like to pose a third option, though. You could always check out a utility like Greenshot. Which takes the print screen mechanic a step further by automatically saving the the image to the desktop, or other desired location, instead of simply leaving it in clip board (as seen here). It's free, safe and open source, and is readily available to download through the homepage I linked above or on Sourceforge. It's a 544 KB download. Unlike an application like CloudApp or Steam's screenshot utility, you will have to upload your image to a host of your choosing.

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ooh.. nice, i will definitely check this out. thanks – bronzebeard Mar 30 '11 at 13:31
Even though Oak's answer is right, I feel that I should accept this answer because the tool provides the exact functionality that I was looking for. Although, I wish it wouldn't grab focus and minimize the game, but it will do for the moment. – bronzebeard Mar 30 '11 at 19:08
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I am sure that will change when it gets updated some more. It's currently at version 0.8. I just wanted to give another option in-case you didn't use Steam. I prefer minimal and open-source software. – G.D. Hamell Mar 30 '11 at 20:26
I just installed 0.8 and it's not working while Skyrim is full screen. It's assigned to CTRL+PRNT SCRN. It works outside of the game, but not when it's full screen. – oscilatingcretin May 21 '12 at 21:24
up vote 37 down vote

Clicking the print screen button on the top-right of your keyboard (its name is usually abbreviated, e.g. Prt Scr) will save an image of the current display to the clipboard. You can later paste that image inside a suitable application (e.g. paint). Of course, that means only one screen shot at a time, since hitting the key again will override the clipboard.

Additionally, a lot of games have a special treatment for that key, and they will actually generate an image file themselves in some folder (typically under My Documents or AppData).

If you run a game with the Steam overlay on it (whether a real Steam game or just an external game launched through Steam), Steam has a special mechanism for taking screenshots, which saves the images to a special location and allows you to easily upload them online to the Steam cloud. The default key for taking Steam screenshots is F12,

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Print Screen will not always work.. For example, Starcraft 2 gave me a black screen. Agree with the other alternatives, though. – Bora Mar 30 '11 at 22:47
@Bora but SC2 generates a separate image under My Documents when you press that key. – Oak♦ May 4 '11 at 11:41
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That is correct. WHat I meant by that is, that the PrintScreen() command, which copies the screenshot into the clipboard, would not work with SC2. Overall, it is not a guaranteed method of taking screenshots in games. – Bora May 4 '11 at 12:15
Print screen does not work for me while Skyrim is full screen. I am not using Steam. – oscilatingcretin May 21 '12 at 21:25
@oscilatingcretin What you can do is add Skyrim to Steam as a 'Non-Steam Game'. This allows you to use the Steam Overlay and thus use the F12 key. – Yawus Jun 28 '12 at 1:26
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up vote 4 down vote

I'd like to throw in a third option as well that I've used for quite some time now and really enjoy is SnagIt it costs some money but is really worth it because once you take a screenshot you can have some image manipulation and add some fun stuff like arrows or notes. It's also great for snagging an entire webpage as an image, or taking just part of your screen. It allows you to grab a screen over 40 different ways, check it out if you don't mind spending a little bit of money.

Snag It Website

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wow. looks really nice – bronzebeard Mar 30 '11 at 13:54
up vote 2 down vote

You could try Gadwin Printscreen. It's free.

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up vote 0 down vote

Another alternative is FastStone Capture, I don't know if it is going to work, but might worth a try. You can select auto-save options, formats, shortcuts and so on...

Last free version is still available, get the portable version.

FastStone Capture

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No, it doesn't work any better than the default Windows Print Screen behaviour. – Joey Aug 31 '12 at 9:21

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