How to Screenshot on a Surface Pro 8

This article explains how to take screenshots on a Surface Pro 8. It breaks down each screenshot method and explains how to use each one to capture screen content, save it as an image, and use it in another application.

Using the Snipping Tool

The Snipping Tool is a free tool pre-installed with the Windows operating system. You can use it to take screenshots of the entire display, select parts of the screen, or an open window.

1. Select Start.
   

   If you have a Surface Pen stylus, you can quickly press its top button twice to open the Snipping Tool app.

2. Select All apps.
   

3. Select Snipping Tool.
   

4. Choose a screenshot method by pressing the the Snipping mode button, then press New. There are four options:

   • Rectangle lets you draw over the specific part of the screen you want to capture.
   • Window takes a screenshot of a single app.
   • Full screen captures the whole screen at once.
   • Freeform has you draw any shape on the screen to screenshot just that area.
     

   In some versions of this tool, these buttons are called Rectangle mode, Window mode, Full-screen mode, and Free-form mode.

   You can schedule the screenshot with the delay snip button. Options include a 3-, 5-, and 10-second delay.

5. If you chose the rectangle or freeform option, drag the cursor over the area you want to screenshot. If you chose the window mode, just select once on the open window. For a full screen capture, select anywhere on the screen.
   

6. Optionally, choose a tool from the Snipping Tool toolbar to edit the image.
   

7. Select Save to save your screenshot, or Copy to add it to the clipboard so you can paste it elsewhere. Through the three-dot menu are other options for sharing and printing the screenshot.
   

Using Keyboard Shortcuts

There are several Windows keyboard shortcuts used to take screenshots on a Surface Pro 8.

• PrtScn: Press the Print Screen key to immediately take a screenshot of the entire display and copy it to your clipboard. You can then paste the screenshot into another app using Ctrl+V or an in-app Paste command.
• Win+PrtScn: Takes a screenshot of the entire display and saves it to your user account, in the Pictures > Screenshots folder. You can then open this image file in another app as you would with any other photo.
• Alt+PrtScn: Takes a screenshot of the active app and saves it to the clipboard.
• Alt+Win+PrtScn: Same as the above but saves the screenshot to Pictures > Screenshots.
• Win+Shift+S: This keyboard shortcut opens the Snipping Tool app.

Using the Power and Volume Buttons

This method is a great way to take a screenshot with your Surface Pro 8 and is particularly useful for when you don’t have your Type Cover or keyboard attached.

All you need to do is press the physical Power and Volume Up buttons on the top of your Surface Pro 8 at the same time. A screenshot of your entire screen will be taken and saved to the Pictures > Screenshots folder.

Using Screenshot Apps and Tools

Other pre-installed apps also feature built-in tools to take screenshots on your Surface Pro 8. 

• Xbox Game Bar: The Xbox Game Bar app is used primarily for recording video games, but it also has a capture tool for screenshots.
• Microsoft Edge: Microsoft’s web browser app has a built-in screenshot tool you can use to take photos of website content. Select Web capture from the app’s ellipsis menu or press Ctrl+Shift+S while Edge is open.

If these built-in options aren't what you're looking for, there are also many third-party screenshot apps and services.