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
    2010-09-28T12:49:26+00:00

    Luigidelgado,

    You're welcome. I only did deeper digging and found that link (I posted above in original answer) which had the two solutions to the issue. For me FN + Prt Sc is what works, without using Alt.

    I've no idea why this issue is within Win7, I'm just a PC user like you and everyone else on this forum. I imagine like anything else, it's a little used function and they didn't work the bugs out of Win7 regarding this. If they get enough feedback for it, they'll probably resolve the issue and have a patch for it at some stage.  That's just a guess though.

    -Warped

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  2. Anonymous
    2010-09-28T06:09:05+00:00

    Luigidelgado,

    OMG, thank you "SO MUCH" for your contribution.  I have been looking all over the internet, even in other Microsoft education - whatever stuff, and yours is the "first" solution I've found that has truly worked.  I have Windows 7 and have not been able to use my Print Screen as well. Until "NOW".  By doing exactly what you said,(fn + Alt + Prt Sc) worked for me. I have tried all kinds of other suggestions with "no" results.  I can't thank you enough for your post.  Out of curiosity, would you happen to have any idea "why" this is like this?

    Thank you bunches and bunches, "Learning Sponge"...

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  3. Anonymous
    2010-09-22T17:31:08+00:00

    I don't have a toshiba, but for kicks and giggles (and as a last resort) I tried the solutions given on this page, and guess what? They both worked. They showed you how to either use your on screen key board, or to use the FN Key plus the print screen key. The FN key is commonly found at the lower left part of the keyboard near the windows logo key.

    I agree that it was easier with XP and prior versions.... but we have to move on right? These are solutions that work. Link is as follows:

    http://en.kioskea.net/forum/affich-37736-print-screen-won-t-work-on-toshiba

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