5 Simple Ways to Take a Screenshot on Linux

5 Simple Ways to Take a Screenshot on Linux

Harnessing the facility of screenshots is indispensable for capturing and sharing digital info. Within the realm of Linux, an enormous and versatile working system, the flexibility to take screenshots is a vital ability, 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 the way to take a screenshot on Linux is a useful asset. This complete information will equip you with the required 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 basic strategies out there in Linux. The primary strategy, leveraging the built-in screenshot utility, is appropriate for capturing your entire display screen. To execute this system, merely press the “PrtScn” (Print Display) key in your keyboard. The ensuing screenshot will likely be robotically saved as a PNG picture within the “Photos” listing. For a extra focused strategy, contemplate using the “gnome-screenshot” command. This versatile instrument means that you can seize particular areas of the display screen, lively home windows, and even total internet pages. By default, “gnome-screenshot” saves photos within the PNG format, however you may customise the output format and vacation spot listing to fit your preferences.

Past these primary strategies, Linux presents a plethora of superior screenshot instruments that cater to specialised wants. One such instrument is “scrot,” famend for its versatility and intensive 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 answer, “scrot” is a wonderful alternative. One other notable instrument 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 recreation and unlock the complete potential of Linux’s screenshot capabilities.

Understanding the Completely different Screenshot Strategies

Linux presents a variety of choices for capturing screenshots, catering to various consumer wants and preferences. Relying on the particular Linux distribution and desktop surroundings, there are a number of strategies out there to customers:

Display Seize Instruments

Linux distributions typically come pre-installed with devoted display screen seize instruments that present an intuitive and user-friendly interface. These instruments sometimes supply a spread of options, reminiscent of:

* Customizable seize space: Customers can choose particular parts of the display screen to be captured, fairly than your entire desktop.
* Annotations and enhancing: Superior instruments enable 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 straightforward sharing and collaboration.

Here’s a desk summarizing a few of the in style display screen seize instruments out there for Linux:

Instrument Options
GNOME Screenshot Native instrument for GNOME desktop environments, presents customizable seize strategies and picture enhancing choices.
Shutter Characteristic-rich instrument with a user-friendly interface, helps annotation, timer seize, and picture internet hosting.
KDE Spectacle Complete instrument for KDE desktops, gives intensive enhancing and customization choices.
Flamme Light-weight and customizable instrument, 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 methodology. This is the way to do it:

Commonplace Screenshot

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

Window Screenshot

To seize solely the lively window, press **Alt** + **Print Display**. 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** or **Ctrl** + **Alt** + **Print Display**. The saved screenshot will likely be named “Screenshot (window)”.

Full-screen Screenshot on Multi-monitor Setup

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

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

Capturing the Complete Display

Taking a screenshot of your entire display screen is a standard and easy process in Linux. This is a step-by-step information on the way to accomplish this:

Utilizing Keyboard Shortcuts

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

Utilizing Command Line Instruments

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

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

Utilizing Graphical Consumer Interface (GUI) Instruments

Many Linux distributions include built-in GUI instruments for taking screenshots. These instruments sometimes supply extra superior options, reminiscent of choosing particular areas of the display screen to seize, annotating screenshots, and sharing them on to cloud storage companies. One in style GUI instrument is “Gnome Screenshot,” which is on the market on Ubuntu and different GNOME-based distributions.

Taking a Partial Screenshot

Taking a partial screenshot is a handy approach to seize solely a particular portion of your display screen. 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 Instrument

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

2. Choose the Rectangular Crop Instrument

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

3. Drag to Choose the Space

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

4. Customise the Space (non-compulsory)

After choosing 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 special location in your display screen.
Resize Click on and drag the perimeters 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 title and site the place you need to reserve it.

5. Seize the Screenshot

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

Saving and Sharing Screenshots

Upon 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 modifications.

Sharing Screenshots

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

Utilizing the GNOME Screenshot Instrument:

  • After capturing a screenshot, click on the Share button within the screenshot preview window.
  • Choose the specified sharing methodology from the choices supplied, reminiscent of 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, reminiscent of a cloud storage service.

Utilizing a Third-Occasion Instrument:

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

Screenshotting on Newer Linux Distributions

Newer Linux distributions supply a handy screenshot utility pre-installed within the system. This utility gives 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 situated within the top-right nook of the keyboard. Alternatively, you need to use the next key mixtures:

PrtScn (Print Display)

Captures a screenshot of your entire display screen 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 your entire display screen 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 Instrument

Many Linux distributions permit you to customise the screenshot instrument to regulate its conduct and preferences. Listed below are the steps to customise the screenshot instrument:

  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 modifications.

Using Display Seize Instruments

Linux presents a plethora of devoted display screen 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 screen seize instrument in GNOME desktop environments. It presents numerous choices, together with capturing your entire display screen, a particular window, or a specific space.

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

Shutter

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

Command Description
shutter Captures your entire display screen
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 screen seize instrument out there in KDE desktop environments. It presents quite a lot of choices, reminiscent of cropping, including annotation, and saving in numerous picture codecs. Ksnip additionally features a built-in picture editor for fast touch-ups.

Command Description
ksnip Captures your entire display screen
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 instrument (gnome-screenshot)

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

  1. Open the GNOME screenshot instrument by urgent the PrtScn key or by looking for “screenshot” within the Actions search bar.
  2. Within the screenshot instrument 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 out the world of the display screen you need to seize.
  5. The screenshot instrument will robotically scroll down the web page and seize your entire 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 out there for Linux that present superior options for taking scrolling screenshots. Some in style choices embrace:

Instrument Options
Shutter Helps scrolling screenshots, annotation, and enhancing
Scrot A command-line instrument for taking screenshots, together with scrolling screenshots
GreenShot Affords numerous screenshot modes, together with scrolling screenshots

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

Superior Screenshot Choices

Screencast Recording

Does your screenshot have to seize shifting photos? With the GNOME display screen recorder, you may document a screencast or a portion of your display screen in a .webm video. This characteristic is a great tool for creating fast tutorials or animations.

Utilizing the terminal, activate the GNOME display screen recorder with:

gnome-screencast

Screenshot Instrument

The built-in Screenshot instrument in Ubuntu presents extra choices for capturing your display screen. To make use of it, press Shift + PrtScr. It’s also possible to entry it by means of the Actions menu. The Screenshot instrument means that you can:

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

Customized Screenshots

Print Display

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

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

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

  • LXDE: Press PrtScn to seize your entire display screen 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 instrument. 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, reminiscent of capturing internet pages, including results, and annotating.

KDE Plasma:

  • Spectacle: Press Meta + Shift + Print to open Spectacle. It presents numerous 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 instrument 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

  • Be certain that the suitable screenshots listing exists (e.g., Photos > Screenshots).
  • Test you probably have write permissions to that listing.
  • Confirm that the screenshot instruments are correctly put in and configured.

2. Screenshots are clean or black

  • Attempt updating your graphics drivers.
  • Disable any extensions or plugins which 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 proper screenshot methodology to your desktop surroundings.
  • Attempt utilizing a special screenshot instrument or methodology for higher outcomes.
  • Test your system settings to regulate the screenshot decision and high quality.

4. No screenshot button or hotkey

  • Configure customized screenshot hotkeys in your desktop surroundings settings.
  • Set up a third-party screenshot instrument 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 surroundings settings, if relevant.
  • Attempt lowering the screenshot decision or adjusting the show scaling.

6. Screenshots usually are not being copied to the clipboard

  • Be certain that your clipboard supervisor is operating and has the required permissions.
  • Attempt utilizing completely different screenshot strategies or instruments to make sure compatibility with clipboard operations.
  • Restart your clipboard supervisor to resolve any momentary points.

7. Screenshots have the mistaken facet ratio or measurement

  • Test your desktop surroundings settings for show scaling and determination choices.
  • Use a screenshot instrument 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 surroundings settings or screenshot instrument preferences.
  • Guarantee that you’ve write permissions to the specified save listing.
  • Use a screenshot instrument 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.
  • Test the file permissions and guarantee that you’ve learn entry to the screenshot.
  • Attempt utilizing a special picture viewer or instrument to open the screenshot.

10. Superior troubleshooting for complicated points

  • Test 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 conduct of screenshot instruments.
  • Seek the advice of the documentation or boards to your particular desktop surroundings and screenshot instrument for additional help.

How one can Take a Screenshot on Linux

Taking a screenshot on Linux is a straightforward course of that may be achieved in a couple of brief steps. This is the way to do it:

  1. Find the window or space you need to seize.
  2. Press Print Display (or PrtScn) to seize your entire display screen.
  3. To seize solely a specific space, press Alt + Print Display 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.

Individuals Additionally Ask:

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

You should utilize the command-line instrument scrot to take screenshots. Set up it with the next command:

sudo apt set up scrot

To take a screenshot of your entire display screen, 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 kind nautilus within the file supervisor bar.

How do I alter 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 out there choices for gnome-screenshot
gnome-screenshot -w Seize your entire display screen 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