The Facts

• The "Print Screen" button is located on all Windows-based keyboards. Most of the time it is located just to the right of the function buttons. Some keyboards label it as "Prt Sc", but others will have the full words "Print Screen".
  
  

Function

• The "Print Screen" button is used to take a capture of your screen. When you press the button nothing obvious will happen, but if you open a new document in a photo-editing program like MS Paint or Adobe Photoshop and then press "CRTL+V," your desktop will be pasted. Your computer's system holds the screenshot from when you last you pressed "Print Screen."
  
  

Misconceptions

• While most users think that the "Print Screen" button will capture everything on your screen, sometimes things are omitted. Most commonly the mouse cursor is removed from the "Print Screen" captures. Some websites can also have the print screen block out content that people may try to steal.
  
  

Benefits

• The "Print Screen" option can be beneficial for several reasons. One of the best uses is for computer tutorial articles. Instead of explaining things entirely in words, the "Print Screen" button allows users to show how it is done on a computer. The button can also be used to show things like custom desktop wallpaper or the results of online poker tournaments.
  
  

Evolution

• Some programs have taken the "Print Screen" button one step further. Snag It 8 can take screenshots of your whole screen, certain sections or just specific things like text and pictures. While the "Print Screen" button only takes still pictures, Snag It 8 has evolved to capture videos of your computer screen, making it even easier to create computer tutorials. The videos include the mouse cursor, unlike the still pictures, which exclude them.