- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - W I N D O W S X P - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - TAKING A SCREEN SHOT UNDER XP You can use 3rd party programs to accomplish a more in-depth focused screen shot, but here is how to use Windows XP's built in functions. To capture ONLY the active window, press Alt + Print Screen, to capture the entire screen press print screen..once this has been completed: - click start - all programs (programs) - accessories, paint - press Ctrl + V in the interface, or click edit, paste. - click file, save as.. to save your image.