Taking screenshots is an essential aspect of communication in today’s digital world. For instance, you could be working on a project and want to share your progress with your team or supervisor. Also, screenshots come in handy when you need to report an error in a program to technical support. There are several ways to take screenshots on Windows, including full-screen capture and window capture. However, what happens when you want to take a screenshot of a certain section of the screen? Cropping the screenshot is the solution. In this article, we will delve into the various methods to take a cropped screenshot on Windows 7.
Video Tutorial:
The Challenge of Taking A Cropped Screenshot on Windows 7
Taking a cropped screenshot on Windows 7 can be a bit of a challenge. Windows 7 does not have a built-in tool to crop screenshots. However, there are several ways to work around this limitation, including using third-party apps or utilizing built-in features.
Things You Should Prepare for
Before we delve into the methods for taking a cropped screenshot on Windows 7, there are a few things that you should prepare for. Firstly, identify the area of the screen that you want to capture in the screenshot. Secondly, ensure that you have enough space in your storage drive to save the screenshot. Finally, familiarize yourself with the keyboard shortcuts for capturing screenshots as most of the methods we will discuss involve using shortcuts.
3 or 4 Methods to Take A Cropped Screenshot on Windows 7
Method 1: Use Snipping Tool
1. Locate the Snipping Tool app from the start menu and launch it.
2. Click on the "New" button in the app to open the snipping options.
3. Select "Rectangular Snip" from the snipping options dropdown list.
4. Use the cursor to drag over the area in the screen that you want to capture.
5. Release the cursor to capture the area in the rectangular snip tool app.
6. Click "File" and select "Save As" to save the screenshot.
Pros:
– You can customize the snipping area shape, allowing you to capture any shape you want.
– The saved file is automatically saved to the desktop, making it easier to locate and share.
Cons:
– Windows 7 does not support any editing tools, so you cannot add any notes or markers to your screenshots.
– Saving files as JPEG may cause blurring and loss of quality.
Method 2: Use Print Screen
1. Ensure that the area you want to capture is visible on the screen.
2. Press the "Print Screen" button on your keyboard.
3. Open MS Paint.
4. Press "Ctrl" + "V" to paste the screenshot on MS Paint.
5. Use the cursor to crop the image as you desire.
6. Click "File" and select "Save As" to save the screenshot.
Pros:
– The Print Screen feature is built-in, which means no third-party apps will be required.
– The method is simple and involves just a few steps to capture and save the screenshot.
Cons:
– The method lacks advanced editing options, which means you cannot add notes or blur certain sections of the screenshots.
– Capturing screenshots of videos that require motion control may be difficult using Print Screen.
Method 3: Use Snipping Tool Shortcut
1. Ensure the area you want to capture is visible.
2. Press "Windows" + "Shift" + "S" on the keyboard.
3. The screen will dim, and a cursor will appear. Use it to select the area you want to capture.
4. Release the cursor to capture the snip.
5. The screenshot will be saved in the clipboard.
6. Open MS Paint and paste it by pressing "Ctrl" + "V."
7. Crop the image as you desire.
8. Click "File" and select "Save As" to save it.
Pros:
– The shortcut feature of Snipping Tool is quick and easy to use compared to opening the app.
– You can paste the screenshot directly onto the MS Paint app instead of saving it first.
Cons:
– The method lacks advanced editing options, which means you cannot add notes or blur certain sections of the screenshots.
– Capturing screenshots of videos requires that the video is paused.
Why Can’t I Take A Cropped Screenshot on Windows 7?
There are several reasons why taking a cropped screenshot on Windows 7 can be difficult. Some of these reasons include:
1. Lack of built-in snipping tools: Windows 7 was released before Windows 8, which has a built-in snipping tool. Therefore, Windows 7 users cannot rely on the built-in snipping tool to take cropped screenshots.
2. Limited Video Capture: Capturing screenshots of videos that require motion control may be difficult using Print Screen. This method will only capture a single frame of the video, and you may miss important details.
3. No Advanced Editing Features: Windows 7 lacks advanced editing tools, which can limit the level of detail you can add to captured images.
To solve these issues, you can use third-party apps to capture and edit screenshots on Windows 7.
Additional Tips
Here are some additional tips to help you take a better-cropped screenshot on Windows 7:
1. Use third-party apps: There are several third-party apps that you can use to capture and edit screenshots. These tools come with more advanced features such as blurring and adding notes to your screenshots.
2. Use Print Screen with Snipping Tool: Another way to take a cropped screenshot is to use Print Screen with Snipping Tool. This combination allows you to capture a specific area and crop it using a built-in MS Paint app.
3. Utilize Third-party Image Editor: Although Windows 7 lacks advanced editing features, you can utilize third-party image editing software such as Photoshop to add notes and markers to your screenshots.
5 FAQs
Q1: Do I have to use third-party apps to take cropped screenshots on Windows 7?
A1: No. You can use built-in features such as Print Screen and Snipping Tool to take a cropped screenshot, but these features do not have advanced editing tools.
Q2: Is Snipping Tool free?
A2: Yes, Snipping Tool is a built-in app for Windows 7, so it is free.
Q3: Can I crop screenshots using MS Word?
A3: Yes, you can copy and paste the screenshot onto MS Word and crop it.
Q4: Can I add notes or markers to my screenshots using built-in tools?
A4: No, built-in Windows 7 tools such as Print Screen, and Snipping Tool do not have advanced editing features.
Q5: Can I capture video using Snipping Tool?
A5: No, Snipping Tool only captures static images.
In Conclusion
Capturing screenshots is essential in today’s digital world for communication purposes. Windows 7 lacks a built-in tool for capturing cropped screenshots, but there are workarounds, including using built-in snipping and print screen features or third-party apps. Consider your needs and the level of detail you need to add to your screenshots when deciding on a method. Remember to utilize additional tips and tricks to capture better quality screenshots.
