How to Take Screenshots on Ubuntu 24.04

Ubuntu 24.04, the latest LTS release, enhances user experience with a built-in screenshot and screencast tool. It offers keyboard shortcuts to capture chosen sections, individual windows, or entire screens. For advanced features, additional screenshot apps can be installed.

This guide will explain how to take screenshots on Ubuntu by using the built-in screenshot utility and keyboard shortcuts.

Capturing/Taking Screenshots on Ubuntu 24.04

Ubuntu comes with a built-in screenshot/screencat utility that is accessible from the system menu or by using the “PrtSc” key. This easy-to-use tool offers essential functions like capturing the entire screen, a desired area, or a precise window. It also supports recording of your screen. 

Below are step-by-step instructions for capturing screenshots on Ubuntu 24.04:

Step 1: Open the Default Screenshot Tool

To begin capturing screenshots on Ubuntu 24.04, you first need to open the built-in screenshot utility. For this purpose, you have two easy options:

1. Press the “PRTSC” key to automatically open the screenshot tool.
2. If you prefer using the graphical interface, click on the system menu (usually located in the top-right corner of your screen). Search for an icon that looks like a camera or a screen capture symbol. Now, click this icon to open the screenshot application:

Step 2: Capture Screenshot 

After launching the default screenshot tool, you will see three main capture options to choose from:

1. Selection: captures a specific part/area of the selected screen. When you select this, your cursor will change, allowing you to click and drag to draw a rectangle around the exact portion of the screen you want to save.
2. Screen: If you choose this option, it will capture the entire visible screen, including all open windows and desktop elements.
3. Window: captures only a specific window. After choosing this option, click the window you want to capture, and the tool will save just that window, excluding the rest of the desktop.

Once you decide which capture method fits your needs, click the Capture button to take the screenshot:

After capturing a screenshot, a message will pop up on your screen confirming the capture was successful:

The screenshot is instantly copied to your clipboard, so you can paste it into documents or emails immediately without saving it first. At the same time, the screenshot is saved as a file by default in the “Home/Pictures/Screenshots” folder on your system. 

Step 3: Screen Recording (Screencasting)

You can also use the “Record Screen” option to capture a video of your screen. Just choose “Record Screen” and then press the “Capture” button to start recording:

To end the screen recording, simply click the “Stop” button, which is highlighted in the following image:

As a result, a notification will appear on your screen once the screen recording finishes successfully:

Clicking this notification will open the recorded video for you to watch. You can also find all your saved recordings in the “Home/Videos/Screencasts” folder on your computer.

Shortcut Keys to Capture Screenshots on Ubuntu 24.04

Ubuntu 24.04 lets you quickly access the default screenshot tool using several handy keyboard shortcuts. These shortcuts help you capture screenshots without opening the tool manually:

1. Press “PRTSC” (Print Screen) to open the screenshot tool and choose from the available capture options.
2. Use “SHIFT + PRTSC” to capture the whole screen.
3. Use “ALT + PRTSC” to picture the current window.
4. Press “CTRL + ALT + PRTSC” to capture the current window as well.

Additionally, when the default screenshot tool is already running, it supports some extra shortcuts to speed up your workflow:

1. Press “S” to select and capture a specific area or part of your screen.
2. Press “W” to choose and capture a window of your choice.
3. Press “C” to capture the entire screen immediately.

After selecting one of these options using the shortcuts, press the Enter key to take the screenshot. 

Alternative Screenshot Tools for Ubuntu 24.04

Besides the built-in screenshot feature, Ubuntu offers several other tools that provide enhanced options for taking screenshots. Below are some of the top alternatives:

Tool	Features and Description	Installation Command
GNOME Screenshot	It is a classic screenshot tool that lets you capture the whole screen, a specific window, or a selected area. You can use it through a simple interface or run commands like gnome-screenshot -w for windows or -a for area capture in the terminal. Many users still prefer this tool over GNOME Shell’s built-in screenshot feature.	sudo apt install gnome-screenshot
Kazam	Kazam is widely used for both screen recording and screenshot capturing. It allows you to capture the full display, several monitors, particular windows, or chosen areas. It offers an adjustable delay before taking the screenshot and lets you decide whether to show the mouse cursor and borders in the images.	sudo apt install kazam
Flameshot	Flameshot is an intuitive screenshot application that allows users to capture full screens, specific areas, or windows. It offers features like delayed capture, on-screen annotation tools, and the ability to highlight the cursor or window borders. Configurations can be extensively customized.	sudo apt install flameshot
Shutter	Shutter provides versatile screenshot options, including capturing a window, a particular region, menus, or cascading menus. It also has easy editing features like cutting parts out, adding words, and putting effects on your screenshots.	sudo apt install shutter

Conclusion

Ubuntu 24.04’s built-in screenshot tool lets you easily capture screens, windows, or areas and record screencasts. Moreover, it supports handy keyboard shortcuts like SHIFT+PrtSc for full screen and ALT+PrtSc for windows. In this guide, we illustrated how to use these features efficiently.

FAQ