Learn how to take screenshots on an HP laptop without the print screen button. Discover 3 easy alternatives, with a comprehensive comparison included.
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Have you ever tried to take screenshots on your HP laptop only to find out your "print screen" (prt sc) button isn't functioning? Or perhaps yours is, but you just can't get it to take screenshots on specific sites or with some images.
In fact, a dedicated print screen button is no longer included on many modern laptops, including HP models. But who needs the "print screen" button? It's pretty slow, anyway.
But it's nothing to worry about. There are several ways you can take screenshots without using this button. And in this guide, we will explore different methods for taking screenshots on an HP laptop without using the print screen button.
Since we mentioned that you don't need to use the print screen button to capture a screenshot on your HP laptop, it’s only right to provide other options.
Here are the three techniques that work better:
We recommend freeware software like EaseUS RecExperts as the best alternative to the print screen button. With this best free screen capture software like this, you can take screenshots of the whole screen, a specific window, or a specific region on your screen.
You'd agree that this way of taking a screenshot on your HP laptop is quick, easy, and saves time and energy. All you need to get started with this approach is to install the free EaseUS RecExperts program on your HP laptop. Here's how to go about this:
Step 1. Launch EaseUS RecExperts and prepare the screen you want to capture. Click Custom to take a partial screenshot, or select Full Screen to capture the entire display.
Step 2. In Custom mode, drag your mouse to select the desired area, then click the Screenshot button (represented by a camera icon) on the toolbar. In Full Screen mode, simply click the Screenshot button to capture immediately.
Step 3. After the screenshot is taken, press the Exit button.
Step 4. Return to the main interface and locate it in the recent captures list.
Step 5. Open your screenshot to preview, add a watermark, make quick edits, or share it directly as needed.
The Snipping Tool is another "tool" that efficiently completes the screenshot job. It's a windows screen capture shortcut program, so you don't have to download anything new. It's a convenient way to take screenshots using different modes like freeform, window, rectangular, or full-screen snips.
Follow these steps to use it effectively:
Step 1: Click on the search bar (it's beside your state icon at the bottom left corner of the screen).
Step 2: Type "snipping tool" in the search bar.
Step 3: Select the snipping tool from the search results
Step 4: Click on the "new" icon to start taking a screenshot.
Step 5: Choose the mode you want to use (freeform snips, window snips, rectangular snips, or full-screen snips).
Step 6: Hold your left-click button and use the mouse to map out the area you want to capture.
Step 7: Once you've mapped out the area, the screenshot gets taken automatically
Step 8: You can save the screenshot by clicking on the save button or "Ctrl S". Choose your preferred file location and rename it as desired.
With these steps, you'll be able to summon the snipping tool anytime you need to take one or multiple screenshots quickly.
While this is a literal lifesaver, several people don't know that you can replicate the function of your missing or malfunctioning print screen button on your HP with your on-screen keyboard. The on-screen keyboard is especially helpful if you can't type well with your keyboard or it suddenly stops working.
Here's how you can make it a worthy alternative to your HP keyboard's print screen button:
Step 1: Head to the search bar toward your screen's bottom left corner.
Step 2: Search for the on-screen keyboard by typing "on-screen keyboard" in that search bar.
Step 3: Locate and select the on-screen keyboard from the search results.
Step 4: Once the on-screen keyboard is open, watch the Print Screen icon (it might be abbreviated as PrtScn).
Step 5: Take the screenshot by clicking on the Print Screen button, and just like that, you've captured a screenshot of your entire screen
And with that, you can have a replica of your print screen button on your screen.
While this doesn't have the functionality of the other options, it could be helpful when using the others would prevent you from getting your desired result.
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When comparing these three HP laptop screenshot methods without the print screen button, several factors must be considered. These include how easy it is to use, what other functions it has, how good its screenshots are, and other benefits. In the context of this comparison, we'll be using EaseUS RecExperts as the reference point for screenshot freeware.
Method | EaseUS RecExperts | Snipping Tool | On-Screen Keyboard |
---|---|---|---|
Ease of Use | Easy | Moderate | Moderate |
Features Offered |
|
|
|
Compatibility | Windows 11/10/8/7 | Windows 11/10/8/7 | Windows 11/10/8/7 |
Time taken | Fast | Fast | Fast |
User Interface | Visually appealing | Moderate | Moderate |
Flexibility | High | Moderate | Low |
Quality of screenshot | High | Moderate | Moderate |
Customization options | High | Moderate | Low |
EaseUS RecExperts has a simple, easy-to-use interface that makes it easy to take screenshots. The Snipping Tool and On-Screen Keyboard are also easy to use, but EaseUS RecExperts is very user-friendly.
While the snipping tool lets you take a screenshot of a specific part of your screen using different modes and also make annotations, the
EaseUS RecExperts gives you the most features to play with. This includes full-screen, window, and region screenshots, as well as additional features like editing and annotation tools. The on-screen keyboard offers only the conventional screenshot feature, letting you take full-screen screenshots.
All three of these methods work well on HP with Windows.
All three methods are fast enough for their purpose, but EaseUS RecExperts is a little quicker than the other two methods, taking the least amount of time to complete the task.
Of the three methods, the on-screen keyboard is the least flexible, as it only allows screenshots of the entire screen.
EaseUS RecExperts offers the most flexibility and lets users take screenshots in multiple styles.
Screenshots have a reputation for reducing quality by a lot. However, the EaseUS RecExperts beats this reputation and makes the best-quality screenshot.
The snipping tool and on-screen keyboard do not provide as many customization options as EaseUS RecExperts, which allows you to change things like the screenshot quality and format.
The snipping tool and EaseUS RecExperts let you share screenshots directly from the software. But EaseUS RecExperts takes it to the next level by allowing you to integrate with cloud storage, among other things.
Overall, EaseUS RecExperts stands as the best of the three options considering all its unique features.
You can do without the print screen button to take a screenshot on an HP laptop. You only need one of these three tools: the snipping tool, the on-screen keyboard, or the free EaseUS RecExperts software. Note that you can use the keyboard shortcut "Windows + Shift + S" to take a quick screenshot.
But if you're in the market for more functionality, EaseUS RecExperts is your best option. If you will be making a number of screenshots on your HP laptop, then you should download the EaseUS RecExperts software today and use it for free.
Here are four frequently asked questions on "screenshot on laptop without print screen button" that we have compiled to help you. Let's dive in:
The easiest way is to use a freeware screenshot program like EaseUS RecExperts that offers both speed and a clean user interface. You can also use the shortcut "Windows + Shift + S" for one.
You can use the snipping tool, the on-screen keyboard, or freeware like EaseUS RecExperts to take a screenshot without using the print screen button. The first two options are built into your computer, while the third is easily downloaded.
Three ways to take a screenshot on a PC are: using a screenshot freeware program like EaseUS RecExperts, using the snipping tool, and replacing the print screen button with the on-screen keyboard.
In Windows 10, you can take a screenshot with the snipping tool or the on-screen keyboard.
To use the Snipping Tool:
Step 1: Go to the search bar and search for the snipping tool.
Step 2: To begin taking a screenshot, click on the new button and use the mouse to select the area you want to capture.
To use the on-screen keyboard, follow these steps:
Step 1: Search for the on-screen keyboard in the search bar and click on it.
Step 2: Look for the Print Screen button, click on it, and that's it! You have taken a screenshot of your entire screen.
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