5 Simple Ways to Take a Screenshot on Linux

5 Simple Ways to Take a Screenshot on Linux

Harnessing the ability of screenshots is indispensable for capturing and sharing digital info. Within the realm of Linux, an unlimited and versatile working system, the flexibility to take screenshots is a vital talent, enabling customers to protect visible representations of their desktops, purposes, and internet pages. Whether or not you are troubleshooting technical points, documenting software program processes, or just sharing memorable moments, realizing find out how to take a screenshot on Linux is a useful asset. This complete information will equip you with the mandatory data and strategies to seize screenshots with ease, empowering you to successfully talk and protect digital content material.

The journey to screenshot mastery begins with understanding the elemental strategies accessible in Linux. The primary strategy, leveraging the built-in screenshot utility, is appropriate for capturing the complete display. To execute this system, merely press the “PrtScn” (Print Display screen) key in your keyboard. The ensuing screenshot will probably be robotically saved as a PNG picture within the “Photos” listing. For a extra focused strategy, think about using the “gnome-screenshot” command. This versatile software means that you can seize particular areas of the display, lively home windows, and even total internet pages. By default, “gnome-screenshot” saves photographs within the PNG format, however you may customise the output format and vacation spot listing to fit your preferences.

Past these primary strategies, Linux provides a plethora of superior screenshot instruments that cater to specialised wants. One such software is “scrot,” famend for its versatility and in depth customization choices. “Scrot” lets you seize screenshots with various levels of delay, apply customized results, and even specify the output filename. For customers searching for a feature-rich screenshot resolution, “scrot” is a wonderful alternative. One other notable software is “Shutter,” which mixes screenshot capabilities with superior picture enhancing options. Shutter means that you can annotate, crop, and resize screenshots, making it a really perfect alternative for creating visually interesting documentation or tutorials. Discover these superior instruments to raise your screenshot sport and unlock the complete potential of Linux’s screenshot capabilities.

Understanding the Completely different Screenshot Strategies

Linux provides a variety of choices for capturing screenshots, catering to various consumer wants and preferences. Relying on the precise Linux distribution and desktop atmosphere, there are a number of strategies accessible to customers:

Display screen Seize Instruments

Linux distributions typically come pre-installed with devoted display seize instruments that present an intuitive and user-friendly interface. These instruments sometimes provide a variety of options, corresponding to:

* Customizable seize space: Customers can choose particular parts of the display to be captured, moderately than the complete desktop.
* Annotations and enhancing: Superior instruments permit customers to annotate screenshots with textual content, arrows, or shapes, and carry out primary enhancing operations like cropping and resizing.
* Integration with different software program: Some instruments seamlessly combine with picture editors or collaboration platforms, enabling simple sharing and collaboration.

Here’s a desk summarizing a number of the in style display seize instruments accessible for Linux:

Software Options
GNOME Screenshot Native software for GNOME desktop environments, provides customizable seize strategies and picture enhancing choices.
Shutter Function-rich software with a user-friendly interface, helps annotation, timer seize, and picture internet hosting.
KDE Spectacle Complete software for KDE desktops, offers in depth enhancing and customization choices.
Flamme Light-weight and customizable software, options real-time preview and integration with picture editors.

Utilizing the Keyboard Shortcut

Taking a screenshot on Linux utilizing the keyboard shortcut is a fast and handy technique. Here is find out how to do it:

Commonplace Screenshot

To seize the complete display, press the **Print Display screen** key in your keyboard. This may save the screenshot to a file named “Screenshot” within the “Photos” folder. If you wish to copy the screenshot to the clipboard as a substitute of saving it to a file, press **Ctrl** + **Print Display screen**. You’ll be able to then paste the screenshot into any picture editor or doc.

Area Screenshot

To seize solely a particular area of the display, press **Shift** + **Print Display screen**. Your cursor will flip right into a crosshair. Click on and drag the crosshair to pick the area you wish to seize. When you launch the mouse button, the screenshot will probably be saved to the “Photos” folder or copied to the clipboard relying on whether or not you pressed **Shift** + **Print Display screen** or **Ctrl** + **Shift** + **Print Display screen**. The saved screenshot will probably be named “Screenshot (area)”.

Window Screenshot

To seize solely the lively window, press **Alt** + **Print Display screen**. This may save the screenshot to the “Photos” folder or copy it to the clipboard relying on whether or not you pressed **Alt** + **Print Display screen** or **Ctrl** + **Alt** + **Print Display screen**. The saved screenshot will probably be named “Screenshot (window)”.

Full-screen Screenshot on Multi-monitor Setup

To seize a screenshot of the complete desktop throughout a number of screens, press **Ctrl** + **Print Display screen**. This may save a single screenshot that features all related shows to the “Photos” folder. The saved screenshot will probably be named “Screenshot (multi-monitors)”.

Shortcut Motion
Print Display screen Commonplace screenshot
Shift + Print Display screen Area screenshot
Alt + Print Display screen Window screenshot
Ctrl + Print Display screen Full-screen screenshot on multi-monitor setup

Capturing the Total Display screen

Taking a screenshot of the complete display is a standard and easy activity in Linux. Here is a step-by-step information on find out how to accomplish this:

Utilizing Keyboard Shortcuts

Most Linux distributions assist keyboard shortcuts for taking screenshots. The commonest shortcut is “Print Display screen” or “PrtScn.” Urgent this key will seize the complete display and reserve it as a PNG file within the “Photos” or “Screenshots” listing. Some laptops might require you to press the “Fn” key concurrently.

Utilizing Command Line Instruments

Linux additionally provides command line instruments for taking screenshots. The “scrot” command means that you can seize the complete display and reserve it in a specified format. For instance, the next command will seize the display as a PNG file:

Command Description
scrot -s Captures the complete display and saves it as a PNG file within the present listing
scrot -s my_screenshot.png Captures the complete display and saves it as a PNG file named “my_screenshot.png” within the present listing

Utilizing Graphical Person Interface (GUI) Instruments

Many Linux distributions include built-in GUI instruments for taking screenshots. These instruments sometimes provide extra superior options, corresponding to deciding on particular areas of the display to seize, annotating screenshots, and sharing them on to cloud storage companies. One in style GUI software is “Gnome Screenshot,” which is out there on Ubuntu and different GNOME-based distributions.

Taking a Partial Screenshot

Taking a partial screenshot is a handy option to seize solely a particular portion of your display. This may be helpful for capturing a specific window or a bit of your desktop. To take a partial screenshot, comply with these steps:

1. Open the Screenshot Software

Press the “PrtScn” key in your keyboard. This may open the Screenshot Software.

2. Choose the Rectangular Crop Software

Within the Screenshot Software, click on on the “Rectangular Crop” software. This software means that you can choose an oblong space of your display to seize.

3. Drag to Choose the Space

Click on and maintain down the left mouse button and drag the cursor to pick the world of the display you wish to seize. Launch the mouse button to finish the choice.

4. Customise the Space (optionally available)

After deciding on the world, you have got the next choices for additional customization:

Choice Description
Transfer Click on and drag the choice to maneuver it to a unique location in your display.
Resize Click on and drag the sides or corners of the choice to resize it.
Copy Press “Ctrl + C” to repeat the chosen space to the clipboard.
Save Click on the “Save” button to save lots of the screenshot as a PNG file. Specify the file identify and placement the place you wish to reserve it.

5. Seize the Screenshot

As soon as you’re happy along with your choice, click on on the “Seize” button to seize the screenshot. The screenshot will probably be robotically saved to the situation you laid out in Step 4.

Saving and Sharing Screenshots

After getting efficiently captured a screenshot, you have got the choice to put it aside for future reference or share it with others.

Saving Screenshots

By default, screenshots are saved within the Photos/Screenshots listing in your house folder. Nonetheless, you may customise the save location by following these steps:

  1. Open the Settings app.
  2. Navigate to the Keyboard settings.
  3. Beneath the Screenshots part, click on the Change button subsequent to Save location.
  4. Choose the specified save location.
  5. Click on Apply to save lots of your adjustments.

Sharing Screenshots

There are a number of methods to share screenshots in Linux:

Utilizing the GNOME Screenshot Software:

  • After capturing a screenshot, click on the Share button within the screenshot preview window.
  • Choose the specified sharing technique from the choices offered, corresponding to e-mail, social media, or cloud storage.

Utilizing the Command Line:

  • Open a terminal window.
  • Use the scp command to switch the screenshot file to a distant location, corresponding to a cloud storage service.

Utilizing a Third-Social gathering Software:

  • Set up a third-party screenshot software, corresponding to Shutter or GNOME Screenshot.
  • Configure the software to robotically add screenshots to a cloud storage service or share them by way of social media.
  • Use the software to seize and share screenshots.
Methodology Benefits Disadvantages
GNOME Screenshot Software Straightforward to make use of, built-in into GNOME Restricted sharing choices
Command Line Versatile, permits for automation Requires technical data
Third-Social gathering Software Superior options, automated sharing Could require further configuration and set up

Screenshotting on Newer Linux Distributions

Newer Linux distributions provide a handy screenshot utility pre-installed within the system. This utility offers a user-friendly interface to seize and save screenshots.

To entry the screenshot utility, press the PrtScn key in your keyboard. This secret is sometimes positioned within the top-right nook of the keyboard. Alternatively, you should use the next key combos:

PrtScn (Print Display screen)

Captures a screenshot of the complete display and copies it to the clipboard.

Alt + PrtScn

Captures a screenshot of the lively window and copies it to the clipboard.

Ctrl + PrtScn

Captures a screenshot of the complete display and saves it as a PNG file within the Photos folder.

Ctrl + Alt + PrtScn

Captures a screenshot of the lively window and saves it as a PNG file within the Photos folder.

Customizing the Screenshot Software

Many Linux distributions let you customise the screenshot software to regulate its habits and preferences. Listed below are the steps to customise the screenshot software:

  1. Open the System Settings app.
  2. Navigate to the “Keyboard” or “Shortcuts” part.
  3. Discover the settings associated to screenshots.
  4. Select the specified choices, such because the file format, vacation spot folder, and keyboard shortcuts.
  5. Click on “Apply” or “Save” to substantiate your adjustments.

Using Display screen Seize Instruments

Linux provides a plethora of devoted display seize instruments that present superior options and customization choices. Listed below are some notable purposes and their respective instructions:

GNOME Screenshot

GNOME Screenshot is the default display seize software in GNOME desktop environments. It provides varied choices, together with capturing the complete display, a particular window, or a specific space.

Command Description
gnome-screenshot Captures the complete display
gnome-screenshot -w Captures the at present lively window
gnome-screenshot -a Captures a specific space

Shutter

Shutter is a feature-rich display seize software that permits for annotations, enhancing, and sharing. It offers a number of modes, together with window choice, display area choice, and full-screen seize.

Command Description
shutter Captures the complete display
shutter -w Captures the at present lively window
shutter -a Captures a specific space
shutter -d Captures a delayed screenshot

Ksnip

Ksnip is a display seize software accessible in KDE desktop environments. It provides quite a lot of choices, corresponding to cropping, including annotation, and saving in varied picture codecs. Ksnip additionally features a built-in picture editor for fast touch-ups.

Command Description
ksnip Captures the complete display
ksnip -w Captures the at present lively window
ksnip -a Captures a specific space
ksnip -d Captures a delayed screenshot

Taking Scrolling Screenshots

Utilizing GNOME’s built-in screenshot software (gnome-screenshot)

GNOME’s built-in screenshot software offers the flexibility to take scrolling screenshots. To do that, comply with these steps:

  1. Open the GNOME screenshot software by urgent the PrtScn key or by looking for “screenshot” within the Actions search bar.
  2. Within the screenshot software interface, choose the “Scrolling Screenshot” choice.
  3. Click on the “Take Screenshot” button to provoke the scrolling screenshot seize course of.
  4. Drag the mouse pointer to pick the world of the display you wish to seize.
  5. The screenshot software will robotically scroll down the web page and seize the complete content material of the chosen space.
  6. As soon as the scrolling screenshot is captured, it can save you it or copy it to the clipboard.

Utilizing third-party screenshot instruments

There are a number of third-party screenshot instruments accessible for Linux that present superior options for taking scrolling screenshots. Some in style choices embrace:

Software Options
Shutter Helps scrolling screenshots, annotation, and enhancing
Scrot A command-line software for taking screenshots, together with scrolling screenshots
GreenShot Presents varied screenshot modes, together with scrolling screenshots

To make use of these instruments for taking scrolling screenshots, confer with their respective documentation.

Superior Screenshot Choices

Screencast Recording

Does your screenshot must seize transferring photographs? With the GNOME display recorder, you may file a screencast or a portion of your display in a .webm video. This characteristic is a great tool for creating fast tutorials or animations.

Utilizing the terminal, activate the GNOME display recorder with:

gnome-screencast

Screenshot Software

The built-in Screenshot software in Ubuntu provides further choices for capturing your display. To make use of it, press Shift + PrtScr. You may also entry it by means of the Actions menu. The Screenshot software means that you can:

  • Seize the complete display, a window, or a particular space
  • Set a timer for delayed screenshots
  • Annotate your screenshots with varied instruments
  • Save your screenshots in varied codecs, together with PNG, JPG, and PDF

Customized Screenshots

Print Display screen

  • GNOME: Press PrtScn to seize the complete display and reserve it to Photos > Screenshots. Press Alt + PrtScn to seize solely the lively window.

  • KDE Plasma: Press Print to seize the complete display and duplicate it to the clipboard. Press Alt + Print to seize solely the lively window.

  • XFCE: Press PrtScn to seize the complete display and reserve it to Photos > Screenshots. Press Ctrl + PrtScn to seize solely the lively window.

  • LXDE: Press PrtScn to seize the complete display and reserve it to Photos > Screenshots. Press Ctrl + Alt + PrtScn to seize solely the lively window.

Different Screenshot Instruments

GNOME:

  • Screenshot: Press Ctrl + Shift + PrtScn to open the Screenshot software. You’ll be able to choose the world to seize, add annotations, and save or share the screenshot.

  • Shutter: Set up Shutter out of your package deal supervisor (e.g., sudo apt set up shutter). Use it for superior screenshotting options, corresponding to capturing internet pages, including results, and annotating.

KDE Plasma:

  • Spectacle: Press Meta + Shift + Print to open Spectacle. It provides varied screenshot modes, enhancing instruments, and save choices.

  • Ksnip: Set up Ksnip out of your package deal supervisor (e.g., sudo apt set up ksnip). It is a light-weight screenshot software with primary enhancing options and clipboard integration.

XFCE:

  • xfce4-screenshooter: Press Ctrl + Alt + PrtScn to open the xfce4-screenshooter. You’ll be able to select the seize space and save or copy the screenshot.

  • ImageMagick: Set up ImageMagick out of your package deal supervisor (e.g., sudo apt set up imagemagick). Use it to seize screenshots from the command line utilizing instructions like import -window root screenshot.png.

LXDE:

  • LXImage-Qt: Set up LXImage-Qt out of your package deal supervisor (e.g., sudo apt set up lximage-qt). Use it for primary screenshotting and picture enhancing.

  • GIMP: Set up GIMP out of your package deal supervisor (e.g., sudo apt set up gimp). Use it for highly effective picture enhancing, together with screenshotting options.

Troubleshooting Screenshot Points

1. Screenshots usually are not saving

  • Make sure that the suitable screenshots listing exists (e.g., Photos > Screenshots).
  • Verify when you have write permissions to that listing.
  • Confirm that the screenshot instruments are correctly put in and configured.

2. Screenshots are clean or black

  • Strive updating your graphics drivers.
  • Disable any extensions or plugins that will intrude with screenshotting.
  • Reboot your system to resolve anytemporary points.

3. Screenshots are partial or of low high quality

  • Guarantee that you’re utilizing the right screenshot technique on your desktop atmosphere.
  • Strive utilizing a unique screenshot software or technique for higher outcomes.
  • Verify your system settings to regulate the screenshot decision and high quality.

4. No screenshot button or hotkey

  • Configure customized screenshot hotkeys in your desktop atmosphere settings.
  • Set up a third-party screenshot software that gives a screenshot button.
  • Use a command-line utility like scrot or import to seize screenshots.

5. Screenshots are blurry or distorted

  • Replace your graphics drivers to make sure compatibility with compositing.
  • Disable compositing in your desktop atmosphere settings, if relevant.
  • Strive decreasing the screenshot decision or adjusting the show scaling.

6. Screenshots usually are not being copied to the clipboard

  • Make sure that your clipboard supervisor is working and has the mandatory permissions.
  • Strive utilizing totally different screenshot strategies or instruments to make sure compatibility with clipboard operations.
  • Restart your clipboard supervisor to resolve any non permanent points.

7. Screenshots have the fallacious facet ratio or dimension

  • Verify your desktop atmosphere settings for show scaling and determination choices.
  • Use a screenshot software that means that you can specify the seize space and determination.
  • Alter the facet ratio or resize the screenshot manually after capturing it.

8. Screenshots are being saved in an surprising location

  • Configure the screenshot save location in your desktop atmosphere settings or screenshot software preferences.
  • Guarantee that you’ve write permissions to the specified save listing.
  • Use a screenshot software that gives customized save choices or means that you can specify the file path.

9. Screenshots usually are not opening or are corrupted

  • Confirm that you’ve the suitable picture viewer put in and configured.
  • Verify the file permissions and guarantee that you’ve learn entry to the screenshot.
  • Strive utilizing a unique picture viewer or software to open the screenshot.

10. Superior troubleshooting for advanced points

  • Verify your system logs for any errors or warnings associated to screenshotting.
  • Examine the output of dmesg and journalctl for any related info.
  • Use debugging instruments like strace or gdb to research the habits of screenshot instruments.
  • Seek the advice of the documentation or boards on your particular desktop atmosphere and screenshot software for additional help.

Tips on how to Take a Screenshot on Linux

Taking a screenshot on Linux is a straightforward course of that may be carried out in a couple of quick steps. Here is find out how to do it:

  1. Find the window or space you wish to seize.
  2. Press Print Display screen (or PrtScn) to seize the complete display.
  3. To seize solely a specific space, press Alt + Print Display screen and drag your cursor over the specified space.

By default, screenshots are saved to ~/Photos/Screenshots in PNG format. You’ll be able to change the default save location and format within the Settings app.

Folks Additionally Ask:

How do I take a screenshot on Linux with out utilizing the Print Display screen key?

You need to use the command-line software scrot to take screenshots. Set up it with the next command:

sudo apt set up scrot

To take a screenshot of the complete display, run:

scrot screenshot.png

To take a screenshot of a specific space, add the -s flag:

scrot -s selected_area.png

How do I open the screenshot folder?

To open the screenshot folder, press Ctrl + Alt + F, then sort nautilus within the file supervisor bar.

How do I modify the default screenshot format?

To alter the default screenshot format, go to the Settings app, click on on “System” after which “Show”. Within the “Screenshots” part, you may choose the specified format from the “Screenshot Format” drop-down menu.

Command

Description

gnome-screenshot –help Show accessible choices for gnome-screenshot
gnome-screenshot -w Seize the complete display and reserve it as a PNG file
gnome-screenshot -a -f -c Seize the present lively window and duplicate it to the clipboard
gnome-screenshot -a -f -c -o

Seize the present lively window and reserve it to a file