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How to Save a Screenshot as a PDF on Windows 10 Desktop 2024

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June 10, 2022
Last Updated
March 15, 2024
3 min read
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There are multiple ways to take screenshots on Windows 10, and even more ways to save and turn those screenshots into a PDF. 

We’ve compiled the best and easiest ways to save screenshots as PDFs on Windows desktop. And we’ve even recommended our preferred way to save screenshots as a PDF. 

Stay tuned for the best ways to turn a screenshot into a PDF. 

How to Take a Screenshot on Windows 10 Desktop 

First, let’s cover how to take screenshots on Windows 10: 

1. Press [Windows button] + [shift] + [s] on keyboard (OR press [Windows key] > type “Snipping Tool” > [enter]).

Snipping tool is typed into the Windows search bar, with the word being highlighted. The Snipping Tool is shown as the best matched app.

2. Use the cursor to click-and-drag until everything is in your desired screenshot.

Google search result page is grayed out except for one rectangle highlighting the Google logo with the mouse for a screenshot.

3. Click the thumbnail that pops up in the bottom right corner of the screen.

Thumbnail of screenshot is highlighted.

4. Press the Save button, and save your screenshot as an image (PNG or JPG). 

Snipping tool dialog box with the Save button highlighted at the bottom right of the window.

How to Save a Screenshot as a PDF

Now that we know how to take a screenshot on Windows 10, let’s explore the best ways to turn that screenshot into a PDF. 

Built-in Windows Tools (Snipping Tool/Snip & Sketch)

Note: The Windows Snipping Tool and Snip & Sketch tool are being combined in Windows 11 for a new and improved Snipping Tool. We'll use "Snipping Tool" in this blog post, but Snip & Sketch will work just as well in older versions of Windows, such as Windows 10.

1. Press [Windows button] + [shift] + [s] (OR press [Windows key] > type “Snipping Tool” > [enter])

Snipping tool is typed into the Windows search bar, with the word being highlighted. The Snipping Tool is shown as the best matched app.

2. Use cursor to click-and-drag until everything is in your desired screenshot.

Google search result page is grayed out except for one rectangle highlighting the Google logo with the mouse for a screenshot.

3. Click the thumbnail that pops up in the bottom right corner of the screen.

Thumbnail of screenshot is highlighted.

4. Press [ctrl] + [p] on your keyboard.

5. Set the Printer as Microsoft Print to PDF (if it isn’t already). 

Print snip dialog box with Printer set to Microsoft Print to PDF from the dropdown menu. Microsoft Print to PDF is highlighted.

6. Press Print.

Print snip dialog box with Printer set to Microsoft Print to PDF from the dropdown menu. Print button is highlighted.

7. Name your new PDF, then press Save.

Save Print Output As dialog box with File name "Screenshot PDF" highlighted and Save button highlighted.

Windows Photos 

1. Open your saved screenshot in the Windows Photos application. (Right-click > Open with > Print).

Screenshot PDF file with Context menu showing Open with Photos. Open with and Photos are highlighted.

2. Press the Print button or [ctrl] + [p] on your keyboard.

3. Set the Printer as Microsoft Print to PDF (if it isn’t already). 

Microsoft Print to PDF highlighted and set as the Printer.

4. Press Print.

Print dialog box with Print button highlighted.

5. Name your new PDF, then press Save.

Save Print Output As dialog box with File name "Screenshot PDF" highlighted and Save button highlighted.

Paint 

1. Right-click on the screenshot file > Open with > Paint.

Context menu showing Open with Paint. Open with & Paint options are highlighted. The mouse cursor is hovering on the Paint option.

2. Press [ctrl] + [p] on your keyboard.

3. Select Microsoft Print to PDF as the Printer (if it isn’t already). 

Print dialog box with the Printer highlighted and selected as Microsoft Print to PDF.

4. Press Print.

Print dialog box with the Print button highlighted.

5. Type a name for the new PDF, then press Save.

Save Print Output As dialog box with the  File name "screenshot PDF" highlighted, and the Save button highlighted.

With a PDF Editor — PDF Pro

If you’re looking for a PDF editor that’s able to turn screenshots and images into PDF (or other file formats), then PDF Pro has what you need. Instantly convert images to PDF, extract text from images and scanned documents, and more.  Try PDF Pro for free today

1. In PDF Pro, press the Create tab.

Create tab highlighted in PDF Pro.

2. Press the Create from file button.

Create from file button highlighted in PDF Pro.

3. Add files (or +) buttons. 

Create PDF Files dialog box with the Add files buttons highlighted.

4. Find the saved screenshot, then press Open

Add files dialog box with a saved image titled "screenshot" is selected. The Open button is highlighted.

5. Create button. 

Create PDF Files dialog box in PDF Pro. Screenshot is added as a file. The Create button at the bottom right of the window is red.

With Adobe Acrobat

The household name when it comes to PDFs. While it can turn screenshots into PDFs, the expensive annual subscription, confusing interface, and number of features often makes it overkill and more confusing than necessary. 

  1. Open Adobe DC.
  2. Open the image file.
  3. Click the Create PDF tool.
  4. Select the image fine.
  5. Press Start/Create.

How to Turn a Screenshot into a PDF with Word, PowerPoint, or Google

You can also use Microsoft Word and PowerPoint to turn screenshots into PDF. If you don’t have access to Word or PowerPoint, Google Docs and Google Slides work just as well, and are free to use. 

Microsoft Word 

1. Launch Microsoft Word, then press Blank document.

Microsoft Word launch screen with Blank Document button highlighted.

2. Click the Insert tab.

Microsoft Word Insert tab with a red box around it.

3. Click Pictures > This Device.

Insert Pictures button with Insert Picture from This Device... option highlighted, and has the mouse cursor hovering on it.

4. Find the image, then press Insert.

Insert Picture dialog box with an image titles "screenshot" selected by the mouse. The Insert button is highlighted.

5. Press the File menu.

File menu button with a red box around it.

6. Click Export, then press Create PDF/XPS.

Create PDF/XPS button with a red arrow pointing to it from the Export button of the File menu.

7. Name file, then press Publish.

Publish as PDF or XPS dialog box with the File name highlighted and set as "Screenshot PDF". The Publish button is highlighted.

Microsoft PowerPoint

1. Launch Microsoft PowerPoint, then press Blank Presentation.

PowerPoint blank presentation button highlighted.

2. Click the Insert tab.

Insert tab in PowerPoint with a blue box around it.

3. Click Pictures > This Device.

Insert Picture dropdown with Insert Picture From This Device option highlighted and selected with the mouse cursor.

4. Find the image, then press Insert.

Insert Picture dialog box with a screenshot selected and the Insert button highlighted.

5. Press File.

PowerPoint File menu button with a blue box around it.

6. Click Export, then press Create PDF/XPS.

Export button with a red arrow coming from it and pointing to the Create PDF/XPS button in PowerPoint.

7. Name the new PDF file, then press Publish.

Publish as PDF or XPS dialog box with the File name "Screenshot" highlighted and the Publish button highlighted.

Google Docs

1. Open a blank Google Doc.

2. Click Insert tab > Image > Upload from computer.

Google Docs Insert tab dropdown with the Insert tab, Image, and Upload from computer options highlighted. Upload from computer has the mouse cursor hovering on it.

3. Find and Open your saved screenshot.

Open file dialog box with screenshot.png selected, and the Open button highlighted.

4. Press File > Download > PDF (.pdf).

Google Docs File menu dropdown, with File, Download, and PDF Document (.pdf) options highlighted. The mouse is hovering on the PDF Document (.pdf) option from the Download as dropdown.

Google Slides

1. Open a blank presentation in Google Slides.

2. Click Insert tab > Image > Upload from computer.

Google Slides Insert tab menu with Image and Upload from computer highlighted. Upload from computer option also has the mouse cursor hovering over it.

3. Find, select, and Open saved screenshot. 

Open file dialog box with screenshot.png selected, and the Open button highlighted.

4. Press File > Download > PDF (.pdf).

Google Slides File menu dropdown with Download as PDF Document highlighted and selected.

How to Combine Screenshots into One PDF

To combine screenshots into one PDF, you'll need to use a PDF editor, or an online tool to convert and combine your screenshots.

Online PDF Combiner

To combine screenshots into a PDF, you may first need to convert those screenshots to PDF, then combine them afterwards.

There are many online tools to choose from. Be sure to use ones that you trust!

In this example, we'll use our online PDF to Image converters, and our PDF Combiner, which are 100% free, fast, and safe!

  1. Visit our JPG to PDF or PNG to PDF tool, depending on the file format of your screenshots.
  2. Upload your images, then follow the on-screen prompts to convert your screenshots into PDF.
  3. Download all the new PDFs.
  4. Visit PDF Pro's PDF Combiner.
  5. Upload all the PDFs.
  6. Press Merge.
  7. Download your new PDF.

That's it! You now have a PDF containing all your screenshots.

PDF Editor

The best way to combine multiple screenshots into one PDF is by using a dedicated PDF editor.

A good PDF editor will be able to convert and combine multiple screenshots into one PDF, at the same time. In this example we'll use PDF Pro, but the method will be similar in your PDF editor of choice. Try PDF Pro for free today.

  1. In PDF Pro, press the Create tab.
  2. Press Merge files.
  3. Press Add files (or the + symbol).
  4. Find and Open the screenshots you'd like to convert and combine into a PDF.
  5. Press Create.

That's it! You now have a PDF containing all your screenshots.

Instantly Turn Screenshots to PDF with PDF Pro!

Have you ever needed to take a screenshot and turn it into a PDF file on Windows? Now you can! 

We’ve shown you the best ways to take screenshots and save them as PDFs. But our recommended way to turn a screenshot into a PDF is with: PDF Pro

PDF Pro is our affordable all-in-one PDF editor, creator, and converter. Convert images and other files to PDF, scan documents, extract text from scanned documents and images, all with PDF Pro! 

For example, if just finished saving multiple screenshots as PDF files, you can use our PDF Combiner to combine your screenshots into a single PDF! Making it more organized, and easier to share or send to others.

Below are some of the other reasons that make PDF Pro so awesome.

Features of the program:

Try PDF Pro for free or Buy Now!

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Digital Marketing SpecialistArron Staradub
Arron is a Digital Marketer at PDF Pro, where he writes helpful and engaging articles for those that that use PDFs in their daily life. He has a knack for explaining concepts in an easily understandable way. He also loves reading and drinking too much coffee.

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