How to Take a Screenshot on Linux

(How to Take a Screenshot on Linux) To save a screenshot, it is necessary to get a screenshot which is essential when you want to save a particular content on your screen. There is good news for Linux users out there, as various tools and ways of screen capturing are available depending on your choice and requirements. This guide also discusses different ways to take a screenshot of Linux using its default utilities, external applications, and even commands.

How to Take a Screenshot on Linux

1. Using Built-In Tools

Almost all Linux distributions have included screen capture tools with their desktop interfaces. Let’s explore some of the popular ones:

GNOME Screenshot is for those using the GNOME desktop environment.

GNOME Desktop Environment boasts of simple and efficient capture tool for screenshots. Here’s how to use it:

Keyboard Shortcuts:

PrtScn: Takes the picture of the whole screen and stores it in the folder pictures.
Shift + PrtScn: Records the whole window and asks where to save.
Alt + PrtScn: Clicks on the active window and freezes the current screenshot shot on the screen.
Shift + Alt + PrtScn: This enables you to take a particular region or area of interest.

Screenshot GUI Application:

Swipe from the bottom for the app menu and look for a screenshot application.
You can select either to capture the area of the screen or only the window or the area that you want specifically.
KDE Spectacle (for KDE Users)

KDE Plasma includes the Spectacle utility for screenshots:

Click on Open Spectacle on the application menu.
These include but are not limited to full screen, window, rectangular region, or free area selection.
Set timing, and cursor to include or exclude from your image and format of the file.

2. Third Party Tools for Getting Screenshots

Third-party tools have other options like editing, annotation as well as integration option to the cloud services. Here are some popular options:


Flameshot

Flameshot is a powerful and customizable screenshot tool.
Installation:

How to Take a Screenshot on Linux

Usage:

Launch Flameshot and press PrtScn to take a screenshot.
Use the toolbar to draw shapes, add text, and highlight areas.

Shutter

Shutter is another feature-rich tool with built-in editing options.

Installation:

How to Take a Screenshot on Linux

Usage:

Open Shutter from the menu, choose your capture mode and take screenshots.

3. Taking Screenshots via Command Line

For terminal enthusiasts, several command-line utilities allow you to capture screenshots:

scrot

Scrot (short for “SCReenshOT”) is a lightweight command-line tool.

Installation:

How to Take a Screenshot on Linux

Usage:

Capture the entire screen:

How to Take a Screenshot on Linux

Capture a specific area:

How to Take a Screenshot on Linux

gnome-screenshot

This tool, often pre-installed on GNOME systems, can also be used via the terminal:

Capture the entire screen:

How to Take a Screenshot on Linux

Capture a selected area:

How to Take a Screenshot on Linux

4. Advanced Features and Customizations

Delayed Screenshots

If you need to set up your screen before capturing:

GNOME Screenshot and Spectacle have built-in options to add a delay.
For scrot, use the -d flag:

How to Take a Screenshot on Linux

Keyboard Shortcuts

In almost all the desktops, there are so many ways that can be used to change the third-party screenshot shortcuts via the settings. It also allows the process to be adapted to your exact needs and methods at work.

5. Sustainability Measures Options: Save; Edit

Captures are copied to the specified folder (for example, ~/Pictures), in which images are stored by default. You can do that with any image editor available such as GIMP, Krita, or even the editor available with the screenshot tool (like Flameshot).

Conclusion

The process of screen capturing on the Linux platform is quite as easily achievable through relay graphical utility, terminal code, or the use of other third-party applications. This means that depending on the method in a given option you take, you will get the best result. Click here to begin testing these tools and find out which of them will be most suitable for your working process!

For first-time Linux users, use the default tools first such as GNOME Screenshot or KDE Spectacle. For the more experienced users command-line tools like scrot that support scripting are preferred by most users.

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