The quickest way to screenshot on Surface

On a Windows Surface tablet, press the Windows button and Volume Down button at the same time. Hold both for about a second. Your screen will dim briefly, and the screenshot is saved to your Pictures folder in a subfolder called Screenshots. This is the fastest method and works on all Surface models.

If you don't see the screen dim, you may have pressed the buttons too quickly or released them too soon. Try again, holding both buttons together for a full second before letting go. The dimming effect is your confirmation that the screenshot was captured.

Key Takeaways

  • Press Windows button and Volume Down together for one second to capture your entire screen.
  • Your screenshot saves automatically to Pictures > Screenshots on your device.
  • The Snipping Tool lets you capture just part of your screen and edit it before saving.
  • If you have a keyboard attached, you can use Print Screen or Windows key + Shift + S instead.
  • Screenshots are saved as PNG files, which you can open in any photo viewer or editor.

Using the Snipping Tool for partial screenshots

If you only want to capture part of your screen, use the Snipping Tool. Swipe in from the left edge of your screen to open the app switcher, then search for "Snipping Tool" and tap it. Once it opens, tap "New" and drag to select the area you want to capture.

The Snipping Tool lets you draw a rectangle around the part of the screen you need. After you release, the captured area opens in the tool itself, where you can draw on it with a pen, highlight text, or erase parts before saving. Tap the save icon (looks like a floppy disk) to choose where to store the file.

Taking screenshots with a keyboard attached

If your Surface is connected to a Type Cover or other keyboard, you have two additional options. Press Print Screen to capture the entire screen and copy it to your clipboard—you can then paste it into Paint, Word, or any other program. Or press Windows key + Shift + S to open the screenshot tool, which lets you select a rectangular area, free-form shape, or full window before capturing.

When you use Print Screen, the image goes to your clipboard but is not automatically saved as a file. You must paste it somewhere (like Paint or OneNote) and save it yourself. The Windows key + Shift + S method is often faster because it shows you a preview and save options right away.

Where your screenshots are stored

Screenshots taken with the Windows button + Volume Down method save to Pictures > Screenshots by default. You can open the Photos app or File Explorer to find them. Each screenshot is named with the date and time it was taken, so older ones appear first in the list.

If you want to move screenshots to a different folder or device, open File Explorer, navigate to Pictures > Screenshots, and drag the files where you need them. You can also right-click a screenshot to share it via email, OneDrive, or another app installed on your tablet.

Troubleshooting if your screenshot did not save

If the screen did not dim and you did not find a new file in your Screenshots folder, the buttons may not have registered. Make sure you are pressing the physical Windows button on the edge of your tablet (not a button on the screen) and the physical Volume Down button at the same time. Both buttons must be pressed together, not one after the other.

Check that you have enough storage space on your device. If your tablet is nearly full, it may not be able to save new screenshots. You can check available space by opening Settings > System > Storage. If storage is low, delete old files or photos to free up room, then try taking a screenshot again.

Using OneDrive or cloud storage to back up screenshots

Windows automatically syncs your Pictures folder to OneDrive if you have it set up. This means your screenshots are backed up to the cloud without any extra steps. You can view them on any device by signing into OneDrive.com or opening the OneDrive app.

If you prefer a different cloud service like Google Drive or Dropbox, you can move your Screenshots folder to that service's sync folder, or manually upload screenshots after taking them. This is useful if you want to share screenshots with others or access them from a computer or phone later.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I take a screenshot of just one window or app?

Yes. Use Windows key + Shift + S (if you have a keyboard) or the Snipping Tool to select a custom area. With the Snipping Tool, you can also choose "Window" mode to capture just the active window with one tap.

What file format are screenshots saved in?

Screenshots are saved as PNG files, which preserve image quality and work with any photo viewer or editor. PNG files are smaller than some other formats and support transparency, making them good for sharing online.

Can I take a screenshot without the screen dimming?

The dimming is built into Windows and cannot be turned off. It is the system's way of confirming the screenshot was taken. If you do not see it, the screenshot likely did not save—try again, holding the buttons longer.

How do I screenshot if my Volume buttons are broken?

If your Volume Down button is not working, use the Snipping Tool instead, or attach a keyboard and use Print Screen or Windows key + Shift + S. These methods do not rely on the physical Volume buttons.

Can I edit a screenshot right after taking it?

With the Windows key + Shift + S method or the Snipping Tool, you can edit before saving. With the Windows button + Volume Down method, the screenshot saves when ready without an editing step, but you can open it later in Paint or Photos to edit it.