Print Screen Key no longer working in Windows 7?

Anonymous
2009-10-24T16:26:14+00:00

I am running Windows 7 64-bit.  I can't get my PrtScn key to capture my screen so I can paste it to another program.  I used to be able to do this in XP, and even in my wife's 64-bit Vista.  It could also be my MS wireless keyboard 1.1, which as proven to be buggy and requires update fixes from MS.

Anyone else having print screen troubles?

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Windows update

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
Anonymous
2010-07-25T06:11:33+00:00

To everyone still having a problem with Print Screen, and none of the proposed solutions work: I have your answer!

I recently bought a brand new laptop, and I'm running both Ubuntu 10.04 and Windows 7. I'm a Simmer, and I was getting more and more frustrated that I could not capture the screen on my Sims game so I can share my CC. Nothing anyone on here said worked, and then I found this.

http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/easily-disable-vistas-aero-before-running-an-application-such-as-a-video-game/

It worked for me, and I hope it works for you all!

Close out of the program you are having trouble with capturing the screen.

Right click on the shortcut of the program on your desktop (in my case it's Sims 2 Apartment Life).

Click on Properties .

Click on the Compatibility tab.

In the middle area of that tab, there should be a bunch of check boxes under Settings. Click in the box alongsideDisable desktop composition.

Apply the changes, click OK.

Open up you program, press on your Print Screen (Prt Sc) button, open up a paint program, paste your image (Ctrl + C) and voilà! It should work! ^_____^

Was this answer helpful?

100+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
Anonymous
2009-10-25T15:51:47+00:00

Hi drfkv5,

Welcome to Microsoft Answers Forum.

As you are using a wireless keyboard I would suggest you to check on the F LOCK (function lock) key on your keyboard. Check on the top right of your Keyboard for the F Lock Key, which may be stopping you from using the print screen key. The F LOCK key toggles the alternate function keys. An alternate function key is a key that has two possible commands depending on the F LOCK toggle key state.

Check the below Microsoft article for details:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/894513

Also try and check if the status light on the keyboard for the F LOCK key. Refer to the below article for help on status light identification:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/894037

To add on, I would suggest you to try the snipping tool in Windows7. It can help you take the screen shots easily. You can check the snipping tool functionality with the help of these articles:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/products/features/snipping-tool

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/Use-Snipping-Tool-to-capture-screen-shots

Thanks,

Hope this helps. Let us know the results.

Meghmala – Microsoft Support

Visit our Microsoft Answers Feedback Forum and let us know what you think

Was this answer helpful?

60+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments

145 additional answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2012-02-27T21:27:41+00:00

    You have to use the Fn key and the "Insert" button or the PrtScr button. Horrible. No where does it say to do this and even if you watch the video in "help" it doesn't say to use the Fn key. Even when you sign into this windows live thing, it says "windows id" and if you don't remember that its your email address, it says "enter email address" why doesn't it just say that in the beginning?!?! I just got this thing because I've always had a pc but if i'm going to have to learn something new, might as well get a mac. The first answer given was horrible! Snipping tool?!?! I want to use the print sceen button! Answer given by "Support Engineer"

    Was this answer helpful?

    2 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2010-07-21T22:04:21+00:00

    I'm sorry, but the PrtScr does NOT function like it did in Windows XP. On my old machine I ran WinXP and playing Myst-online I could do a PrtSrc and then Alt-Tab start Paint , do control-V and there was my screenshot. But with Windows7 I get a totally black page in

    Paint. And I don NOT have a Fn -key, as I have a PC, not a laptop. So the problem, as I can see, is NOT solved. I used to do PsrSrc when I wanted a screen shot to use as a background picture.

    -JPF-

    Was this answer helpful?

    2 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2010-05-16T00:01:58+00:00

    I am using Windows 7 64-bit. I found this forum when I couldn't take screenshots using my PrintScreen button. I noticed someone mentioned using the function key or the alt key, so I tried using the Ctrl key. CTRL + PRTSCN will take the screenshot, and copy it to the clipboard to be pasted into another program.

    Was this answer helpful?

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments