Nov 06 2012

Taking a Screenshot on Windows RT

By Boydo in Uncategorized

Perhaps one of the thing that tech bloggers and journalists find very handy when covering mobile devices is the ability to capture screenshots. Windows Phone 7 was heavily criticised for a lack of native screenshot capability which has thankfully been rectified in Windows Phone 8.

Anyway, with the release of Windows RT for tablets one might wonder how to take screenshots on such devices. While the Microsoft Surface can be used with a touch cover or type cover, the print screen key is missing unless you use a USB or Bluetooth keyboard. Let’s face it, you’re probably not going to want to connect a proper keyboard every time you fancy taking a screenshot.

Luckily, there is a more convenient method.

All you need to do is hold down the Windows button on the tablet and push the volume down button on the tablet.

Note: This button combination will not work on the keyboard, only by using the buttons on the tablet!

You should notice the screen dim a little temporarily. To find your screenshots, just look in the Pictures hub and tap Screenshots to browse through them all.

Here are some screenshots taken on my Microsoft Surface:

Windows RT Screenshot (Live TWiT Streaming in IE10 Metro)

Windows RT Screenshot (Start Screen)

Boydo

My name is Boyd and I’m a Service Management Specialist with a knack for operational data gathering, transformation, analysis and reporting.

In 2012, I obtained my Masters of Science in Information Technology through the University of New South Wales @ The Australia Defence Force Academy (UNSW@ADFA).

I was also part of an online community known as the Panasonic Insider Crew in the capacity of “Insider Guru” for Panasonic Australia where I interacted with other tech enthusiasts and find out more about Panasonic's latest gadgets.

I love technology, gadgets, and the Internet and maintain a keen interest in these areas locally, nationally, and globally. I hope by sharing my views on these topics that people will receive an honest point of view from someone with a genuine interest in these topics.

I have also written and edited articles for Neowin - you can check out my articles over @ https://www.neowin.net/news/poster/boyd_chan

I hope you enjoy reading my blog!

7 comments

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- Stephen on November 8, 2012 at 07:58
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Hmm. When I do that on my Surface (with the soft keyboard), all that happens is the volume drops and then I bounce back to the previous screen.

I’m following the instructions exactly as written; press (and hold) the WINDOWS key, and then a single press on the volume down key.

Any idea why it wouldn’t be working?

Cheers,

Stephen.

(p.s. Did you have to edit the iecompdata file to get live.twit.tv to run? I did.)
- Stephen on November 8, 2012 at 08:26
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Ah! I just figured it out. I was using teh WINDWS key and VOL DOWN key on the *keyboard*. It’s the ones on the tablet you use.

Doh!
1. - Boydo on November 8, 2012 at 09:53
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  I have made that clearer in the article – thanks for the feedback! 🙂
- Tommy on April 1, 2013 at 13:25
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OMG………..more than excited to see this…….spent two hours going through the tablet and internet.

Thanks Boyd……you’re the best
- Kavita Shukla on April 2, 2013 at 00:06
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Hey!
I have an Acer Iconia Tab W510 Windows 8 Hybrid Tablet, I tried the way ( hold down the Windows button on the tablet and push the volume down button on the tablet.) you mentioned above to take a screenshot on it but it didn’t worked.

Is there any way to take screenshot on IE-10 win 8 tablet?

Thanks,
Kavita
1. - Boydo on April 2, 2013 at 21:20
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  Do you have a PrintScreen key on your keyboard? You could use that instead and paste the image into mspaint 🙂
- cory on October 9, 2013 at 04:53
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My Asus from at&t responded to each key instead of the screenshot.
Just informing you that there is still some reason/situation it may not work.
…a setting perhaps?

I thought that I had used this feature before on this tablet so I just wanted to share in case anybody was interested in looking into it any further. I’ll try to respond if I come across what it is.