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
    2010-03-10T14:31:25+00:00

    The problem that we are all having with the Print Screen is that it only captures the desktop if you use it in ANY full screen game or program, it doesn't matter if it is Sims 2, Guild Wars, AION or Home Builder walk though mode.  I have used MSConfig to turn off everything that can be and still no change.  Print Screen works fine if the Games or Apps are in Windowed mode just not in Full Screen.  Who wants a small pic when you are trying to get a 1920x1200 screenshot for a desktop or forum pic.

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  2. Anonymous
    2010-03-09T14:04:08+00:00

    If the issue is getting a screen shot of the game, it may be that the game or other software is interfering with the Print Screen capability.  The easiest way to determine this is to try to get Print Screen to work with the minimum amount of programs, services, processes running.  Then slowly run the programs you use and see if at some point you are no longer able to use that feature.

    In my experience, most often this is caused by interfering software.

    I can use Print Screen with no problem in Windows 7.

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  3. Anonymous
    2010-02-05T15:03:32+00:00

    What is the fix MICROSOFT????? How do you prnt scrn for screen shots of a game. Your answer is not good enough and does not apply. How does anyone take a screen shot of something we are working on (say a program other than our desktop, ie game or application) ?  SNIPPING TOOL DOES NOT WORK?

    IRISH4life

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