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

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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! ^_____^

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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

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  1. Anonymous
    2012-03-15T20:00:02+00:00

    I have a Toshiba, there is no F lock key.

    So what now? I'd like to be able to (print screen).

    Thanks, Ron

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  2. Anonymous
    2012-03-03T21:34:28+00:00

    Found this on a site and it worked for me for WoW print screen problems.

    windows 7 wow print screen warcraft screenshot?

    I had trouble doing a prt scr but now have it resolved

    i closed WoW, right clicked icon > Troubleshoot Compatibility > Troubleshoot Program > I dont See My Problem Listed > I Dont Know > Window transparency isn't displayed properly.

    After i went ahead with the changes it worked for me just by using Prt Scr by itself.

    Think its because it disabled Aero when running WoW.

    Hope this helps everyone.

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  3. Anonymous
    2012-02-29T05:56:01+00:00

    Follow-up:  Using Snagit 10 if you set your timer to say (4sec) then min. snagit to the tray.. then got into your game you can press Print Screen (win7) and will capture screen.  I suppose you could try 2 sec timer also.  So now you can capture multiple screen caps using print-screen key.  BE SURE TO HAVE YOUR F-LOCK KEY OFF  if using a MS Keyboard as I do.

    K.

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