Easy Ways to Take Screenshots of Lock Screen & Login Screen
As we know, Win + Print Screen or Win + Shift + S keys are commonly used to take screenshots of Windows screen. However, the sign-in screen is not allowed to be captured, where you enter passwords or PIN. You need to combine the snipping tool with the hotkeys. This guide will tell you the detailed instructions.
- Contents:
- Part 1: How to Take a Screenshot of Lock Screen with the Hotkey
- Part 2: How to Use Snip & Sketch to Capture Login Screen
- Part 3: How to Modify Registry Editor for Snipping Tool Access
Part 1: How to Take a Screenshot of Lock Screen with the Hotkey
The Print Screen (PrntScr or PrtScn) key still works on the Lock screen. Thus, you can press the key combination to capture the background picture if you’d like to share it.
Step 1: Press the Windows + L keys together to lock your PC. Next, hold down Win + PrtScn to take a screenshot. It will copy the whole lock screen to a clipboard (press Fn + Windows + PrtScn if you use a laptop).
Step 2: After capturing, log into the computer. Then type Paint in the Search bar (next to the Start menu) and open the tool. Press Ctrl + V to copy the screenshot.
Part 2: How to Use Snip & Sketch to Capture Login Screen
The above-mentioned method is of no use to the Windows Login screen. You should open the built-in utility Snip & Sketch and set a delay to take a screenshot.
Step 1: In the Search bar, type in Snip & Sketch and then run the app.
Step 2: Click the drop-down menu and choose Snip in 10 seconds.
Step 3: Press Win + L shortcuts to show the Lock screen. Then skip to the Sign-in screen by pressing the Enter key.
Step 4: Wait a few seconds until the snipping toolbar appears at the top-center of the screen (make sure you wait at least 10 seconds). Next, choose to capture a full-screen or any area of the image.
Step 5: Maybe the screen just flashes with no toolbar, at that time you should log into the PC first and then the tool will show up. After that, edit it and choose a location to save it.
Part 3: How to Modify Registry Editor for Snipping Tool Access
The snipping toolbar may not pop up for some devices. To use the app, it is required to make some changes in Windows Registry. Then replace the Ease of Access button with the snipping tool on the login screen. But take care to configure the Registry correctly.
Step 1: Press Win + R keys and then type regedit. Then click the OK button.
Step 2: Navigate to the following path: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options
Step 3: Right-click Image File Execution Options and choose New > Key. Next, name it utilman.exe.
Step 4: Right-click the blank area of the right pane and select New > String Value > Name it with Debugger.
Step 5: Double-click Debugger and type in C:\Windows\System32\SnippingTool.exe in Value data box.
Step 6: Press Win + L keys and press the Enter key to access the login screen. Find the Ease of Access button in the lower right corner and click it to activate the snipping tool.
Step 7: When the snipping toolbar pops up, you can click New and take a screenshot. Then tap on Edit > Copy.
Step 8: Open Paint and press Ctrl + V. Then you can save it.
