Taking screenshots is a basic but important skill for anyone using a computer. If you use Ubuntu, you might need screenshots for work, school, or sharing information with friends. Ubuntu is popular for its clean interface and strong security, but not everyone knows the best ways to capture their screen. This guide will show you many methods to take screenshots on Ubuntu, from simple keyboard shortcuts to advanced tools. You’ll learn how to capture the whole screen, a single window, or just a part of your screen. We’ll cover tips, mistakes to avoid, and special uses. By the end, you’ll feel confident capturing any image you need on Ubuntu—whether you’re a beginner or have used Linux before.
Basic Screenshot Methods In Ubuntu
Ubuntu comes with built-in ways to take screenshots quickly. You don’t need to install anything extra to use these basic tools. Here’s what you should know:
Using Keyboard Shortcuts
Ubuntu has several keyboard shortcuts to help you take screenshots in seconds:
- Print Screen (PrtSc or PrtScn): Captures the entire screen. The image usually appears in your Pictures folder.
- Alt + Print Screen: Captures only the currently active window.
- Shift + Print Screen: Lets you select a specific area to capture.
These shortcuts work out of the box on most Ubuntu installations. If you press one and nothing happens, make sure your keyboard is working and you’re not using a custom shortcut tool that changes these keys.
Example
Let’s say you want to show a friend a bug in just one application window. Press Alt + Print Screen while that window is active. The screenshot will include only that window—no need to crop later.
Using The Screenshot App
Ubuntu also has a simple Screenshot app. To use it:
- Press the Super key (Windows key), then type “screenshot.”
- Click the Screenshot app icon.
- Choose whether to capture the whole screen, a window, or an area.
- Click Take Screenshot.
You can also set a timer if you want to prepare your screen before capturing.
Where Screenshots Are Saved
By default, Ubuntu saves screenshots in your Pictures folder. The files are usually named like `Screenshot from 2024-06-01 12-34-56.png`. You can change the location by using screenshot tools or moving the files later.
Advanced Screenshot Tools
While the built-in methods are good for most people, sometimes you need more features. For example, you may want to edit your screenshot right away, record your screen, or upload images online. Ubuntu supports several advanced tools for these needs.
Flameshot
Flameshot is a popular screenshot tool with editing features. It’s free and open source.
Installing Flameshot
Open a terminal (Ctrl + Alt + T) and type:
sudo apt update
sudo apt install flameshot
Using Flameshot
- To capture an area: Run `flameshot gui` in the terminal or set a custom shortcut.
- After selecting the area, you can add arrows, text, blur sensitive info, or highlight.
- Save the screenshot or copy it to the clipboard.
What Makes Flameshot Special
You can do quick edits without opening another app. This is great for making tutorials or marking important parts of your image.
Shutter
Shutter is another advanced tool, known for its easy editing and flexible options. It is not always available in the default Ubuntu repository, but you can install it like this:
sudo apt update
sudo apt install shutter
Shutter lets you:
- Capture menus, tooltips, or dropdowns.
- Edit screenshots with arrows, boxes, and text.
- Upload images to online services.
Gnome Screenshot
If you use the default GNOME desktop, the GNOME Screenshot tool offers a simple but powerful interface. It’s similar to the built-in Screenshot app but with more options, such as:
- Delayed capture (timer)
- Capturing mouse pointer
- Choosing save location
To install it:
sudo apt update
sudo apt install gnome-screenshot
You can run it by typing `gnome-screenshot` in the terminal or searching in the app menu.
Comparing Screenshot Tools
Here’s a quick comparison of the popular screenshot tools on Ubuntu:
| Tool | Editing Features | Custom Area Selection | Online Upload | Ease of Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Built-in Screenshot | No | Yes | No | Very Easy |
| Flameshot | Yes | Yes | Limited | Easy |
| Shutter | Yes | Yes | Yes | Medium |
| GNOME Screenshot | No | Yes | No | Easy |
If you only need simple screenshots, stick with the built-in tools. For editing or sharing, try Flameshot or Shutter.
Capturing Specific Areas And Windows
Sometimes, you don’t want the whole screen. Ubuntu makes it simple to capture just what you need.
Capturing A Portion Of The Screen
- Shift + Print Screen lets you draw a box around the area you want.
- With tools like Flameshot, you can select and edit the area before saving.
Capturing A Single Window
- Alt + Print Screen captures only the active window.
- Some tools let you pick the window from a list if you have many open.
Capturing Dropdown Menus Or Tooltips
Built-in shortcuts can’t always capture menus or tooltips, because they disappear when you switch windows. Try this:
- Open the menu or tooltip you want.
- Use an app with a timer (like GNOME Screenshot or Shutter).
- Start the timer, then open the menu before the timer ends.
This way, you can capture tricky parts of your screen.
Customizing Area Selection
Advanced tools let you change the color, border, or even add shadows to your selection. This can make your screenshots look more professional.
Editing And Annotating Screenshots
Screenshots are more useful if you can highlight, blur, or add notes. Ubuntu offers several ways to do this.
Built-in Editors
After taking a screenshot, you can open it with the default image editor, Image Viewer or Shotwell. For simple edits like cropping, this is enough.
Using Flameshot Or Shutter
Both tools let you:
- Draw arrows to point at important parts.
- Add text labels.
- Blur sensitive information (like email addresses).
- Draw boxes or circles to highlight.
For example, if you’re making a guide for coworkers, you can use arrows and text to show exactly where to click.
Editing With Gimp
If you need advanced editing, GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) is a free, powerful image editor. You can install it with:
sudo apt update
sudo apt install gimp
GIMP lets you:
- Crop, resize, and rotate images.
- Add layers and filters.
- Export in many formats.
While GIMP has a learning curve, it’s great for detailed work.
Quick Comparison Of Editing Tools
| Editor | Best For | Features | Ease of Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flameshot | Quick edits | Arrows, text, blur, highlight | Easy |
| Shutter | Editing and sharing | Arrows, text, shapes, upload | Medium |
| GIMP | Advanced editing | Layers, filters, export | Hard |
| Shotwell | Basic edits | Crop, rotate | Very Easy |
Saving, Sharing, And Managing Screenshots
Once you take a screenshot, you need to manage it—save, rename, or share it with others.
File Formats
Ubuntu screenshots are usually saved as PNG files. PNG is lossless, so your image stays sharp. You can save as JPG or GIF using an image editor if you need smaller files.
Organizing Your Screenshots
By default, screenshots go to your Pictures folder. For better organization:
- Create subfolders for different projects.
- Rename files to something meaningful, like `projectA-step1.png`.
Sharing Screenshots
Here are common ways to share screenshots:
- Email: Attach the file from your Pictures folder.
- Cloud Storage: Upload to Google Drive or Dropbox, then share the link.
- Messaging Apps: Drag and drop the file into apps like Telegram or Slack.
- Image Hosting: Use tools like Shutter to upload directly to Imgur or other services.
Clipboard Tricks
Some tools let you copy screenshots directly to the clipboard (like Flameshot). Then, you can paste (Ctrl + V) into chat apps, documents, or emails—no need to save a file first.
Automation
For advanced users, scripts can save, rename, and upload screenshots automatically. This is useful if you take many screenshots daily.
Troubleshooting Screenshot Problems
Sometimes, screenshots don’t work as expected. Here’s what to do if you have problems.
Screenshot Shortcut Not Working
- Check your keyboard: Some laptops need you to press Fn with PrtSc.
- Look in Settings > Keyboard Shortcuts to see if the key is assigned.
- Another app may be using the shortcut—change or disable it.
Screenshot App Crashes Or Freezes
- Try running the app from the terminal to see error messages.
- Update your system: `sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade`.
- Reinstall the app if needed.
Screenshots Are Blank Or Black
- Some apps (like video players or games) block screenshots for security.
- Try a different tool (like Flameshot or GIMP’s screenshot tool).
- Make sure you’re not running Ubuntu in a remote session, which can cause issues.
Files Not Saving
- Check your Pictures folder for disk space.
- Make sure you have permission to write to the folder.
- Try changing the save location in your screenshot tool.
Customizing Screenshot Shortcuts
If the default shortcuts don’t fit your workflow, you can change them.
How To Set A Custom Screenshot Shortcut
- Open Settings.
- Go to Keyboard > View and Customize Shortcuts.
- Find Screenshots section.
- Click the shortcut you want to change, then press your new key combination.
For example, you might set Ctrl + Shift + S for area capture.
Tips For Custom Shortcuts
- Avoid keys used by other apps (like Ctrl + C for copy).
- Pick shortcuts that are easy to remember and reach with one hand.
- Test your new shortcuts to make sure they work in all situations.
Resetting Shortcuts
If something breaks, you can reset to defaults in the same menu.
Taking Screenshots In Special Situations
Some tasks require special steps for screenshots.
Screenshots In Terminal
You can take screenshots from the command line, useful for scripts or remote work.
- To capture the whole screen:
gnome-screenshot
- To capture a selected area:
gnome-screenshot -a
- To capture a window:
gnome-screenshot -w
- To delay (e.g., 5 seconds):
gnome-screenshot -d 5
Screenshots In Remote Desktops
If you use Ubuntu through VNC or RDP, sometimes shortcuts don’t work. In that case:
- Use screenshot tools inside the Ubuntu session.
- Or, capture the remote window from your host system.
Taking Screenshots For Tutorials
For clear guides:
- Use the same size and format for all screenshots.
- Annotate key steps (arrows, highlights).
- Name files in order (`step1.png`, `step2.png`).
Accessibility And High-contrast Screenshots
If you help people with low vision, try using high contrast themes before taking screenshots. It makes important details easier to see.
Non-obvious Tips And Insights
Even experienced users miss these details:
- Clipboard integration: Flameshot and Shutter can copy directly to clipboard—save time if you use chat apps a lot.
- Delay timer for menus: Use the timer to capture pop-up menus, tooltips, or system notifications that disappear quickly.
- Hidden save options: Some tools let you change the default folder, file name, or even upload automatically—check the app’s settings.
- Multiple monitors: If you use more than one screen, most tools let you pick which monitor to capture. Check tool options if your screenshot includes the wrong display.
- Wayland vs X11: On newer Ubuntu versions using Wayland, some apps (like Shutter) may have limited features. Try built-in screenshot tools or Flameshot for better compatibility.
Security And Privacy When Sharing Screenshots
Screenshots can reveal sensitive information. Before sharing, always:
- Check for private data: Look for names, emails, or confidential info.
- Blur or crop: Use tools like Flameshot to hide sensitive parts.
- Review the background: Open tabs or notifications can show more than you want.
A careless screenshot can cause problems, especially in work or public forums.
Keeping Your Tools Updated
Screenshot tools improve often. To get the latest features and bug fixes:
- Run `sudo apt update` regularly.
- Check your screenshot tool’s website for the newest version.
- For third-party tools, consider adding a PPA (Personal Package Archive) if the Ubuntu version is old.
Some advanced features or bug fixes may only be in the newest releases.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do I Take A Screenshot Of Just One Window In Ubuntu?
Press Alt + Print Screen while the window you want is active. The screenshot will include only that window. For more options, use a tool like Flameshot or Shutter.
Where Are My Screenshots Saved By Default?
Ubuntu saves screenshots in your Pictures folder by default. You can change this location in advanced screenshot tools or by moving the files manually.
Can I Set A Custom Shortcut For Screenshots?
Yes. Go to Settings > Keyboard > Shortcuts, find the screenshot action, and assign a new key combination. Pick shortcuts that don’t conflict with other apps.
What Should I Do If My Screenshot Is Just A Black Or Blank Image?
Some apps block screenshots for security. Try a different screenshot tool, check if you’re using a remote desktop, or update your system. For most cases, Flameshot or GNOME Screenshot can solve the problem.
Is There A Way To Automatically Upload Screenshots Online?
Yes. Tools like Shutter and some versions of Flameshot let you upload images directly to hosting services like Imgur. Check the tool’s settings or documentation for this feature. For more info, see the official Ubuntu screenshot guide.
Taking screenshots on Ubuntu is simple once you know your options. Whether you need a quick capture, advanced edits, or secure sharing, Ubuntu gives you the tools. With practice and the right methods, you’ll be able to share your screen with anyone, anywhere, anytime.
