The fastest way to screenshot on Surface tablets

On most Surface tablets, press the Windows button (on the left side of the device) and the Volume Down button at the same time. Hold both for about one second, then release. Your screen will dim briefly, and the screenshot is saved to your Pictures folder in a subfolder called Screenshots.

This method works on Surface Go, Surface Pro, Surface Laptop Go, and Surface Book models. The buttons are physical — you'll feel them click. If your screen doesn't dim, you may have held the buttons too long or not long enough; try again with a quick, simultaneous press.

The screenshot saves as a PNG file with a timestamp in the filename, so each one is automatically named and dated. You can open your Pictures folder anytime to find and share them.

Key Takeaways

  • Press Windows button and Volume Down together for one second to capture your entire screen.
  • Your screenshot saves automatically to Pictures > Screenshots with a timestamp filename.
  • The screen dims briefly when the screenshot is taken, confirming it worked.
  • If the quick button method doesn't work, you can use the Snipping Tool for more control over what you capture.
  • Screenshots are saved as PNG files, which work with email, messaging apps, and document editors.

Using the Snipping Tool for partial screenshots

If you want to capture only part of your screen instead of the whole thing, use the Snipping Tool. Swipe in from the left edge of your screen or press Windows key + Shift + S to open the screenshot menu.

You'll see four options at the top: rectangular snip, freeform snip, window snip, and fullscreen snip. Tap Rectangular snip to draw a box around the area you want. Your finger or stylus becomes a crosshair — drag to select the region, then release. The snipped image opens in the Snipping Tool editor, where you can annotate it with a pen or highlighter before saving.

The Snipping Tool is useful when you want to capture a conversation, a specific app window, or just the part of the screen that matters. You can save it directly or copy it to paste into an email or document.

Where screenshots are stored and how to find them

All screenshots taken with the Windows button and Volume Down method go to your Pictures folder. Open the Files app, tap Pictures, then look for the Screenshots folder. Your images are listed with the newest at the top.

Each filename includes the date and time, so "Screenshot (2024-01-15 14-32-45).png" tells you exactly when it was taken. You can rename files by pressing and holding one, then tapping Rename. You can also move screenshots to OneDrive or another cloud storage by tapping and holding, then choosing Move or Copy.

If you use the Snipping Tool, images stay in the Snipping Tool app until you save them. When you save, you choose the location — Pictures, Documents, or anywhere else on your device.

Troubleshooting when the button method doesn't work

If pressing Windows and Volume Down doesn't dim your screen, first check that you're pressing both buttons at the same time. A common mistake is pressing one slightly before the other. Try again with a quick, simultaneous press and hold for about one second.

If your Surface is in tablet mode and the buttons feel hard to reach, try the Snipping Tool instead — press Windows key + Shift + S and select fullscreen snip. This is often easier than finding the physical buttons while holding the device.

On older Surface models (Surface 3 or earlier), the button combination may be different. If Windows and Volume Down don't work, try Windows button + Power button instead. Check your device's manual or the Microsoft support page for your specific model number if you're unsure.

Using a stylus to annotate screenshots

If your Surface came with a stylus (like the Surface Pen), you can draw on screenshots right after taking them. When you use the Snipping Tool, the image opens in an editor with pen and highlighter tools ready to use. Tap the Pen icon to draw, or the Highlighter icon to mark text.

You can change pen color and thickness by tapping the color or line-width options. This is helpful for marking up diagrams, circling important text, or adding arrows to point out details. Once you're done annotating, tap Save to store the marked-up version.

If you take a screenshot with the button method and want to annotate it later, open the image in the Photos app, tap Edit, then Draw to add pen marks. The changes save as a new version of the file.

Sharing screenshots directly from your Surface

After you take a screenshot, you can share it without leaving the Snipping Tool. When the image appears in the editor, look for the Share button (usually a square with an arrow). Tap it to see options: Mail, Messages, OneDrive, or other apps you have installed.

If you're sharing from the Files app, open your Screenshots folder, press and hold the image, then tap Share. Choose the app or contact you want to send it to. The screenshot attaches as a file, ready to send.

For quick sharing to cloud storage, you can also drag a screenshot from Files directly into OneDrive or Google Drive if those apps are open on your screen.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I take a screenshot of just one app window?

Yes. Open the Snipping Tool (Windows key + Shift + S), then tap Window snip. Click the app window you want to capture, and it will be selected automatically. This is faster than drawing a rectangle around it yourself.

What file format are screenshots saved in?

Screenshots are saved as PNG files, which work with all email clients, messaging apps, and document editors. PNG files are smaller than JPG but keep all the detail, so they're ideal for sharing on screen.

Do I need to hold the buttons for a specific amount of time?

About one second is the right timing. If you hold too long (more than two seconds), the screenshot may not register. If you're having trouble, try a quick, firm press instead of a slow hold.

Can I take a screenshot while using an external keyboard?

Yes. If your Surface is connected to a keyboard, you can press Windows key + Print Screen (on the keyboard) instead of using the tablet buttons. This saves the screenshot the same way — to your Pictures > Screenshots folder.

What happens if I accidentally take a screenshot I don't want?

Open your Screenshots folder in Files, find the image, press and hold it, then tap Delete. You can also right-click and choose Delete. The file goes to your Recycle Bin, where you can permanently delete it or restore it if you change your mind.