On the Surface Pro 4, taking a screenshot captures exactly what is shown on the display at that moment. Because the device combines a touchscreen with a detachable keyboard, you have several ways to print screen, depending on whether you prefer using the physical keyboard or touch controls. This guide explains the most reliable methods, including dedicated key combinations and alternative approaches when a standard keyboard is unavailable. Screenshots are saved automatically to a specific folder so you can locate and share them quickly.
Keyboard Shortcuts for Taking Screenshots
Use the standard keyboard shortcuts available on the Surface Pro 4 Type Cover to capture your screen. These key combinations are dependable and work in nearly every app and Windows context.
Full Screen Capture
To capture everything on the screen at once, press the Windows logo key and the Print Screen (PrtScn) key together. The screen briefly dims to confirm the capture, and Windows saves the image to the Pictures > Screenshots folder.
Active Window Capture
If you want only the currently active window, including its title bar and borders, press Alt and Print Screen (PrtScn) simultaneously. This copies the window as an image to the clipboard. You can then paste it into an image editor, document, or messaging app using Ctrl+V.
Alternative Using the On-Screen Keyboard
When using the on-screen keyboard without a physical Type Cover, you can still take screenshots using touch controls. First, open the on-screen keyboard by tapping a text field. Then press and hold the keyboard icon in the bottom-right corner of the keyboard and choose PrtScn. This performs the same full-screen capture as the Windows logo key and Print Screen shortcut.
Using the Volume Down Button
If your Surface Pro 4 is connected to a Type Cover and you prefer a single-hand method similar to many tablets, you can use the volume controls. While on the desktop or within an app, press and release the Volume Down button on the side of the device. This action captures the screen and automatically saves the screenshot to the Pictures > Screenshots folder, provided a Type Cover is attached.
How to Find and Manage Screenshots
After you print screen, the image files are stored in a predictable location, making them easy to locate, copy, or share. You do not need additional software to view or organize these captures.
Default Screenshot Folder
All screenshots taken with the methods above are saved in the Pictures library under a subfolder named Screenshots. To open it quickly, open File Explorer, select This PC, and navigate to your user account’s Pictures folder. You can also open the folder directly from the Run dialog by pressing Windows+R, typing %userprofile%\Pictures\Screenshots, and pressing Enter.
File Naming and Format
Each screenshot is saved as a PNG image file. Windows names the files sequentially, starting with Screenshot (1).png, Screenshot (2).png, and so on. If a file with the same name already exists, the number increments to avoid overwriting previous captures.
Alternative Capture Tools and Considerations
For more advanced scenarios, such as capturing a scrolling webpage or recording your screen, you may rely on built-in Windows tools that go beyond the basic print screen function. These options do not replace simple screenshots but provide additional flexibility when needed.
Snipping Tool
Windows includes the Snipping Tool, which allows you to capture a specific area, a window, or the full screen. You can then annotate the capture and save it in common image formats. To open it, type Snipping Tool in the taskbar search box and select the app from the results.
Game Bar for Recordings
If your goal is to record video of the screen rather than a still image, the Xbox Game Bar is available in supported versions of Windows. It captures video in MP4 format and stores recordings in the Videos > Captures folder. Note that this feature may not be present or fully supported on all versions of Windows that the Surface Pro 4 can run.
Summary of Capture Methods and Locations
Surface Pro 4 users can choose from multiple reliable approaches to take a screenshot, depending on their connected hardware and immediate needs. Understanding where the system stores these images ensures quick access without additional configuration.
Capture Methods and Details
| Method | Result | Saved Location |
|---|---|---|
| Windows logo key + Print Screen | Full-screen screenshot | Pictures > Screenshots |
| Alt + Print Screen | Active window screenshot copied to clipboard | Clipboard; paste into an app to save |
| Volume Down + Type Cover attached | Full-screen screenshot | Pictures > Screenshots |
| On-screen keyboard + PrtScn option | Full-screen screenshot | Pictures > Screenshots |
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are concise answers to common questions about printing screen on the Surface Pro 4.
- Where do screenshots go if I cannot find them?
Check the Pictures > Screenshots folder first. If you used Alt + Print Screen, the image is only copied to the clipboard and must be pasted into an application to be saved.
- Can I change where screenshots are saved?
Windows uses a fixed path for screenshots. To organize them differently after capture, move the files to another location. Some third-party screenshot tools allow custom save locations, but the built-in methods save to Pictures > Screenshots by design.
- Why does nothing happen when I press the buttons?
Ensure a Type Cover is attached when using Windows logo key + Print Screen or Volume Down. Confirm that the PrtScn key is functioning by testing it in another program, and check that the display is not locked or asleep.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
If your screenshots are blank or missing, consider these common causes and fixes. Addressing these factors can resolve most capture problems without requiring advanced technical steps.
- Blank or black screenshots
This can occur when capturing secure desktop or some full-screen applications. If the screen dims but the image is blank, the app may restrict access to its display content. Testing in the desktop or an image editor can confirm whether the issue is app-specific.
- No file appears in Screenshots folder
Verify that a Type Cover is connected when using the Windows logo key + Print Screen or Volume Down method. Without a Type Cover, the volume button method may not work. Also check the clipboard if you used Alt + Print Screen.
- PrtScn key unresponsive
Ensure the physical key is not damaged and that no accessibility or on-screen keyboard software is interfering. Use the on-screen keyboard as an alternative if the hardware key fails.
Performance Tips and Best Practices
For a smooth and predictable screenshot experience, keep your system and drivers up to date. Close unnecessary apps if storage space is low, since screenshots consume disk space over time. If you frequently capture screen content, consider organizing screenshots into dated folders or using descriptive filenames after you save them to simplify retrieval.