Skip to content
  • Windows
  • Linux
  • Mac
  • Internet
  • Android
  • iOS
  • More
    • Hardware Guides
    • Chrome OS
    • Gadgets
    • How Things Work
    • Product Review
    • Smart Home
    • Gaming
  • About
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Write For Us
    • Advertise with Us
    • Privacy Policy

How to Take a Screenshot of the Windows 8 Logon Screen

By Vamsi Krishna / Jul 16, 2014 / Windows
take-windows-logon-screenshot-featured

So you have changed the wallpaper of your Windows logon screen and wanted to show it off to the world by taking a screenshot of it, but guess what? You can’t do it just by pressing the “Print Screen” button on your keyboard. There are many ways to take a screenshot of your Windows system, but it is never an easy task to take a screenshot of your Windows logon screen. Sure you can take a screenshot of it by installing the Windows operating system in a virtual machine or by hijacking the ease of access button to open command prompt, etc.

But what I mean to say is that there is no point and click way or a simple software by which we can achieve this task. That said, taking a screenshot of your Windows logon screen is surely possible if you know how to do the stuff when you lock your machine. So without further ado, let us see this geeky way of taking a screenshot of the Windows 8 logon screen.

Why Can’t You Take a Screenshot of the Windows Logon Screen?

Without going through all the nuts and bolts, the Windows logon screen runs on “Winlogon Desktop.” Winlogon Desktop is like a secure/isolated area where the Windows operating system restricts what you can do.

Take a Screenshot of the Windows 8 Logon Screen

To take a screenshot of the Windows 8 logon screen, we need to have a screenshot program up and running on the Winlogon Desktop.

1. To do that, we are going to use a PsTool called “PsExec” which is a part of the “Sysinternals suite.” Once you’ve downloaded PsTools, just unzip the download and extract the application “PsExec.exe” and place it in “C:\Windows\System32” directory. For starters, PsExec tool helps you execute programs on a remote system. In our case, on the Winlogon Desktop.

take-windows-logon-screenshot-psexec-location

2. Now we have to download a free portable screenshot software to take a screenshot of our Windows logon screen. Go ahead and download FSCapture portable version; it has all the basic functions like window capture, full screen capture, freehand capture, etc.

3. Once you have downloaded FSCapture, unzip and place it in an accessible location. As for me, I’ve placed it in my C drive for ease of access.

take-windows-logon-screenshot-fscapture-location

4. Open the command prompt with administrative rights. To do that, press “Win + X” and select “command prompt (admin)” from the list.

5. Now enter the following command and press the enter button. Don’t forget to substitute the path to FSCapture.

psexec -xs PathToFSCapture

So once you have substituted the path to FSCapture, the command will look something like this:

psexec -xs c:\FSCapture.exe

take-windows-logon-screenshot-psexe-command

What the above command does is tell PsExec to launch a program called FSCapture on the local Winlogon desktop (switch “-x”) and launch it as the system user account (switch “-s”).

6. Now lock your Windows desktop using the “Win + L” shortcut. This simulates the logon screen of Windows. Here press “Alt + Tab” to reveal FSCapture window.

take-windows-logon-screenshot-fscapture

7. Just click on the “full screen screenshot” button to take a screenshot of your Windows logon screen. Once you have taken the screenshot, FSCapture will open that screenshot in its editor where you can save the file. When you are saving, please choose any drive other than C drive.

take-windows-logon-screenshot-fullscreen-button

8. Once you are done saving the file, close FSCapture and log back in to share your awesome Windows logon screen.

take-windows-logon-screenshot-windows-logon-screen

That’s all there is to do. Hopefully this helps. Do share your own geek way of taking Windows logon screen snapshots.

Vamsi Krishna Vamsi Krishna

Vamsi is a tech and WordPress geek who enjoys writing how-to guides and messing with his computer and software in general. When not writing for MTE, he writes for he shares tips, tricks, and lifehacks on his own blog Stugon.

Is this article useful?
  • Facebook
  • Tweet

One comment

  1. Hema Sundar
    Apr 30, 2015 at 7:46 pm

    Hi
    i did what u said exactly but after installing this FSCapture setup,it working on the normal screens but not in lock screen
    i tried to use this “Alt+Tab” after locking my windows. but its not coming :(

Comments are closed.

Popular Posts

Boom 3D Desktop Review: Surround Yourself with Better Audio on Windows & Mac

Sponsored

How to Check the CPU Temperature in Windows 10

How to Access the WindowsApps Folder in Windows 10

16 Awesome Screensavers for Windows 10

What You Should Do If Windows 10 Fails to Start

100% CPU Usage in Windows 10? Here's How to Fix it

Latest Windows 10 Update Problems and How to Fix Them

Windows Store Not Working? Here's How to Fix it

How to Undervolt Your CPU with Throttlestop in Windows

Windows 10 Start Menu Search Not Working? Here Are Some Fixes

Settings App Not Working in Windows 10? Here Are the Fixes

Affiliate Disclosure: Make Tech Easier may earn commission on products purchased through our links, which supports the work we do for our readers.

Never Miss Out

Receive update of our latest tutorials.

See all newsletters | Privacy Policy

© 2021 Uqnic Network Pte Ltd.
All rights reserved.

  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Write For Us
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • RSS Feed Terms
Do not share my Personal Information