How to Take a Screenshot on Surface Book: 3 Easy Methods (Ultimate Guide)

Capturing the screen on a Microsoft Surface Book is a straightforward process, yet it offers several nuanced methods depending on your specific needs. Whether you want to preserve a fleeting digital artwork, save an error message for troubleshooting, or share a brilliant idea with a colleague, the device provides multiple pathways to achieve this goal. This guide dissects every primary technique, ensuring you can effortlessly grab a screenshot regardless of your situation.

Understanding the Print Screen Function

The Print Screen (PrtScn) button is the universal gateway for screen capture on Windows devices, and the Surface Book is no exception. This function captures the entire visible screen and copies it to the clipboard, requiring you to paste it into an image editor to save it as a file. On the Surface Book, this dedicated button is typically located in the top row of the keyboard, often near the right edge, making it accessible whether you are using the device as a laptop or a tablet.

Standard Keyboard Shortcut

To perform a full-screen capture using the keyboard, simply press the Windows key + Print Screen. You will notice the screen dim slightly for a fraction of a second, which confirms that the screenshot has been taken and saved automatically. Unlike older methods, this action does not require pasting; the image is immediately stored in the "Pictures" directory under the "Screenshots" folder. This method is the most efficient for users who need to capture their entire display without delay.

Microsoft Surface Book
Microsoft Surface Book

The Precision of the Snipping Tool

While the Print Screen key captures everything, the Surface Book also grants access to the legacy Snipping Tool, which allows for selective capture. This utility is particularly useful when you only need a specific window, a free-form area, or a rectangular section of the screen. Though Microsoft is transitioning users to the newer Snip & Sketch tool, the Snipping Tool remains available in Windows 10 for those who prefer its interface.

Leveraging Snip & Sketch

For a more modern approach, the Windows Key + Shift + S shortcut summons the Snip & Sketch interface directly. This overlay turns your cursor into a capture tool, allowing you to drag and select the exact area you wish to save. Once the snip is created, it copies to the clipboard and pops up a small editor, enabling you to annotate, highlight, or share the image immediately. This method strikes the perfect balance between speed and customization for daily workflow.

Capturing the Active Window

Not every capture requires the entire screen. Often, the goal is to isolate a single application or browser window while excluding the clutter of the desktop and other open apps. The Surface Book accommodates this need with a simple modifier key that cuts out the background instantly. This is the ideal method for grabbing a clean image of a chat window, a data visualization, or a specific document without manual cropping.

Wie macht man einen Screenshot auf dem Surface / Surface Pro / Surface Book? - MiniTool
Wie macht man einen Screenshot auf dem Surface / Surface Pro / Surface Book? - MiniTool

Keyboard Shortcut for Active Windows

To capture only the currently active window—provided it is not maximized across all monitors—press Alt + Print Screen. The screenshot saves to the clipboard, so you will need to open an image editor like Paint or Photoshop and paste (Ctrl + V) to view or save the file. This technique is invaluable for professionals who need to include visual evidence in emails or reports without capturing sensitive data from other open windows.

Tablet Mode and the Physical Buttons

When the Surface Book is detached from the keyboard and used as a tablet, the keyboard shortcuts become inaccessible. However, the device retains a hardware solution that works universally across all Windows versions. This involves pressing the physical volume down button and the power button simultaneously. This method is robust because it does not rely on software overlays or cursor movement, making it perfect for touch-centric workflows.

Hardware Capture Method

To screenshot on Surface Book while in tablet mode, simultaneously press the Volume Down button and the Power button. The screen will flash, confirming the capture, and the image will be saved to the "Pictures > Screenshots" folder just like the keyboard method. The only caveat is that this action triggers the device to shut off the display if held for too long, so a quick press is essential for success.

Microsoft Surface Book review
Microsoft Surface Book review

Locating Your Screenshots

Regardless of the method employed, the Surface Book organizes your captures in a predictable location, ensuring you can easily retrieve them for sharing or archiving. Understanding this file structure saves time and eliminates the frustration of searching through generic download folders. The system maintains a clear hierarchy that keeps screenshots separate from general documents.

File Directory Structure

All screenshots taken via the Windows key + Print Screen or the Volume Down + Power combination are automatically saved in the following directory: This PC > Pictures > Screenshots. If the folder does not exist, Windows will create it automatically upon the first capture. Each file is named sequentially, such as "Screenshot (1)", making it simple to sort by date or name depending on your viewing settings.

Microsoft Surface Book (pictures)
Microsoft Surface Book (pictures)
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Microsoft Surface Book 2 15-inch review
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Trendingnow - Surface Book 4: what we want to see Anticipation for the Surface Book 4 is already growing, even though its predecessor, the Surface Book 3 is just a few months old. That’s because it came out with a weak Ice Lake U-series processor, much to the disappointment of the line’s fans. And, users who were looking to upgrade from their older models are now hoping for a better follow-up, one preferably with more powerful specs inside. The Surface Book series typically comes out every two years, and seeing as the line’s third installation only rolled out in late Q1 2020, we don’t expect the Surface Book 4 to hit the shelves until 2022. Still, that hasn’t stopped the rumor mill from spinning before, and we’re pretty sure that as we stumble (how else shall we describe what we’ve all been doing in 2020?) into the third quarter of 2020, gossip, leaks and speculations about the next generation Surface Book will start to pile up. To anticipate the potential onslaught of information in the coming months, as well as any official news, we thought we’d start gathering all things Surface Book 4 right here. Be sure to keep this page bookmarked, as we’ll update it with any new details that reach our desks. Cut to the chase What is it? The next generation Surface Book When is it out? Hopefully Q2 2022 What will it cost? Probably just as much, if not more, than the Surface Book 3 Surface Book 4 release date If you’ve been following the Surface Book since the line initially launched in 2015, you probably already know that Microsoft rolls these 2-in-1 laptops out every two years or so. The original Surface Book debuted in late October 2015 while its successor, Surface Book 2, came out in November 2017. While 2019 came and went without a Surface Book 3 – with Microsoft opting to release three other Surface devices instead (Surface Pro 7, Surface Pro X and Surface Laptop 3). The device finally saw the light of day in June 2020. It’s still too early to tell whether we’ll be seeing Surface Book 4 in 2021. It’s entirely possible, seeing as the Surface Book 3 – despite its comfortable keyboard and beautiful screen – was practically DOA with its already aging processor inside. If Microsoft is looking to appease Surface Book fans, it could potentially update the device again in 2021 with more powerful specs and better features. However, at this point in time, we don’t expect the Redmond company to do that. Going by its past releases, it’s highly likely that the Surface Book 4 won’t come out until Q2 2022. (Image credit: Future) Surface Book 4 price The Surface Book line has been flip flopping in terms of price tag. The original 13-inch device cost a hefty $1,499 (about £1,190, AU$2,140) when it first came out, but the 13-inch Surface Book 2 was even cheaper at $1,199 (£1,149, AU$2,199). Then, the Surface Book 3 13-inch kicked off at a hefty $1,599 (£1,599, AU$2,649). Bizarrely enough, while the Surface Book 2 15-inch cost $2,499 (£2,349, AU$3,649), the Surface Book 3 15-inch dropped down to $2,299 (£2,199, AU$3,699). So, how much the Surface Book 4 13-inch and 15-inch models are going to cost is anyone’s guess at this point. If it does come out with a more generational and competitive upgrade, then a higher price tag would somehow be easier to swallow. Still, we’re hoping for a bit of a price drop here. After all, $1,599 (£1,599, AU$2,649) for Surface Book 3’s Intel Core i5, Intel Iris Plus, 8GB RAM and 256GB SSD is pretty steep for most people. (Image credit: Microsoft) What we want to see in a Surface Book 4 Although the Surface Book 3 has a lot going for it – namely, beautiful design, a stunning display and a comfortable keyboard, it was pretty underwhelming considering that Microsoft had a little over two years to hone in and work on necessary improvements. So, for the Surface Book 4, we’re hoping to see even more upgrades inside and out, starting with a more powerful processor. More powerful processors Sadly, the Surface Book 3 was held back by the lack of H-series processors, which is even more disappointing considering that high price tag and the fact that Microsoft touts this as a gaming-ready device. Especially if Microsoft insists on that premium price tag, we’d like to see Surface Book 4 actually feature Intel’s higher-end 12th-generation chips (11th-generation Tiger Lake, if this follow up does come out sometime in 2021). Either this or drop the price down to something more accessible. Bigger trackpad The current trackpad on the Surface Book 3 is smooth, responsive and gets the job done. However, it’s also tiny – like late 2000ss tiny. Again, if you’re paying a premium price for a laptop, you’d want things like a trackpad with massive surface space to work with. If the Surface Book 4 were to stay competitive with the likes of the MacBook Pro 13-inch, this is practically non-negotiable. Better speakers For a thin, light and tiny laptop, the MacBook Pro 13-inch sure has plenty of audio power, and the sound quality isn’t bad either. Sadly, the speakers on the Surface Book 3 are only adequate. Worse, it’s lacking bass and low-end, so watching blockbusters or playing games on its otherwise gorgeous display isn’t as immersive as it should have been. If the Surface Book 4 were to stay on top of the game, it needs to have better sounding and more powerful speakers. Image 1 of 3 (Image credit: Ryan Smalley) Image 2 of 3 (Image credit: Ryan Smalley) Image 3 of 3 (Image credit: Ryan Smalley) A floating screen, like the new iPad Pro Ryan Smalley of Modality recently shared his design concept for the next Surface Book, and frankly, we’re here for it. Inspired by the new iPad Pro, his concept gives the Surface Book 4 a similar floating screen that’s anchored to a chassis with two hinges – one for the familiar laptop form factor, the other to give it that floating effect. Both hinges in this design are height and angle adjustable for even more viewing and use versatility. Unlike the iPad Pro, however, there’s no removable keyboard and trackpad case here. The Surface Book 4 screen is permanently attached to the rest of the laptop, so that it’s basically a traditional laptop, only with a bit more flexibility. https://bit.ly/3he8L5y | Facebook
Trendingnow - Surface Book 4: what we want to see Anticipation for the Surface Book 4 is already growing, even though its predecessor, the Surface Book 3 is just a few months old. That’s because it came out with a weak Ice Lake U-series processor, much to the disappointment of the line’s fans. And, users who were looking to upgrade from their older models are now hoping for a better follow-up, one preferably with more powerful specs inside. The Surface Book series typically comes out every two years, and seeing as the line’s third installation only rolled out in late Q1 2020, we don’t expect the Surface Book 4 to hit the shelves until 2022. Still, that hasn’t stopped the rumor mill from spinning before, and we’re pretty sure that as we stumble (how else shall we describe what we’ve all been doing in 2020?) into the third quarter of 2020, gossip, leaks and speculations about the next generation Surface Book will start to pile up. To anticipate the potential onslaught of information in the coming months, as well as any official news, we thought we’d start gathering all things Surface Book 4 right here. Be sure to keep this page bookmarked, as we’ll update it with any new details that reach our desks. Cut to the chase What is it? The next generation Surface Book When is it out? Hopefully Q2 2022 What will it cost? Probably just as much, if not more, than the Surface Book 3 Surface Book 4 release date If you’ve been following the Surface Book since the line initially launched in 2015, you probably already know that Microsoft rolls these 2-in-1 laptops out every two years or so. The original Surface Book debuted in late October 2015 while its successor, Surface Book 2, came out in November 2017. While 2019 came and went without a Surface Book 3 – with Microsoft opting to release three other Surface devices instead (Surface Pro 7, Surface Pro X and Surface Laptop 3). The device finally saw the light of day in June 2020. It’s still too early to tell whether we’ll be seeing Surface Book 4 in 2021. It’s entirely possible, seeing as the Surface Book 3 – despite its comfortable keyboard and beautiful screen – was practically DOA with its already aging processor inside. If Microsoft is looking to appease Surface Book fans, it could potentially update the device again in 2021 with more powerful specs and better features. However, at this point in time, we don’t expect the Redmond company to do that. Going by its past releases, it’s highly likely that the Surface Book 4 won’t come out until Q2 2022. (Image credit: Future) Surface Book 4 price The Surface Book line has been flip flopping in terms of price tag. The original 13-inch device cost a hefty $1,499 (about £1,190, AU$2,140) when it first came out, but the 13-inch Surface Book 2 was even cheaper at $1,199 (£1,149, AU$2,199). Then, the Surface Book 3 13-inch kicked off at a hefty $1,599 (£1,599, AU$2,649). Bizarrely enough, while the Surface Book 2 15-inch cost $2,499 (£2,349, AU$3,649), the Surface Book 3 15-inch dropped down to $2,299 (£2,199, AU$3,699). So, how much the Surface Book 4 13-inch and 15-inch models are going to cost is anyone’s guess at this point. If it does come out with a more generational and competitive upgrade, then a higher price tag would somehow be easier to swallow. Still, we’re hoping for a bit of a price drop here. After all, $1,599 (£1,599, AU$2,649) for Surface Book 3’s Intel Core i5, Intel Iris Plus, 8GB RAM and 256GB SSD is pretty steep for most people. (Image credit: Microsoft) What we want to see in a Surface Book 4 Although the Surface Book 3 has a lot going for it – namely, beautiful design, a stunning display and a comfortable keyboard, it was pretty underwhelming considering that Microsoft had a little over two years to hone in and work on necessary improvements. So, for the Surface Book 4, we’re hoping to see even more upgrades inside and out, starting with a more powerful processor. More powerful processors Sadly, the Surface Book 3 was held back by the lack of H-series processors, which is even more disappointing considering that high price tag and the fact that Microsoft touts this as a gaming-ready device. Especially if Microsoft insists on that premium price tag, we’d like to see Surface Book 4 actually feature Intel’s higher-end 12th-generation chips (11th-generation Tiger Lake, if this follow up does come out sometime in 2021). Either this or drop the price down to something more accessible. Bigger trackpad The current trackpad on the Surface Book 3 is smooth, responsive and gets the job done. However, it’s also tiny – like late 2000ss tiny. Again, if you’re paying a premium price for a laptop, you’d want things like a trackpad with massive surface space to work with. If the Surface Book 4 were to stay competitive with the likes of the MacBook Pro 13-inch, this is practically non-negotiable. Better speakers For a thin, light and tiny laptop, the MacBook Pro 13-inch sure has plenty of audio power, and the sound quality isn’t bad either. Sadly, the speakers on the Surface Book 3 are only adequate. Worse, it’s lacking bass and low-end, so watching blockbusters or playing games on its otherwise gorgeous display isn’t as immersive as it should have been. If the Surface Book 4 were to stay on top of the game, it needs to have better sounding and more powerful speakers. Image 1 of 3 (Image credit: Ryan Smalley) Image 2 of 3 (Image credit: Ryan Smalley) Image 3 of 3 (Image credit: Ryan Smalley) A floating screen, like the new iPad Pro Ryan Smalley of Modality recently shared his design concept for the next Surface Book, and frankly, we’re here for it. Inspired by the new iPad Pro, his concept gives the Surface Book 4 a similar floating screen that’s anchored to a chassis with two hinges – one for the familiar laptop form factor, the other to give it that floating effect. Both hinges in this design are height and angle adjustable for even more viewing and use versatility. Unlike the iPad Pro, however, there’s no removable keyboard and trackpad case here. The Surface Book 4 screen is permanently attached to the rest of the laptop, so that it’s basically a traditional laptop, only with a bit more flexibility. https://bit.ly/3he8L5y | Facebook
Surface Book 3 could have a flipping amazing new feature
Surface Book 3 could have a flipping amazing new feature