Taking a screenshot in Linux is not as easy as in Windows or Mac OS X. This is due to the fact that Linux does not have a universal utility for taking screenshots: it all depends on the specific distribution. However, most distributions have at least one program with which you can take a screenshot; moreover, there are many similar programs available.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Gnome-Screenshot
The PrtScn key does not function as a hotkey in all Linux distributions, but does work in the GNOME desktop environment, which is included with Ubuntu and Linux Mint. If the method described in this section was unsuccessful, try one of the other methods.
Step 1. Press PrtScn to take a screenshot of the entire screen
The screenshot will contain everything that is displayed on the screen. The system prompts you to select a folder where you can save the screenshot.
The Print Screen key is located at the top of the keyboard, usually between the F12 and ScrLk keys. The key can be printed with "Print Screen", "PrtScn", "PrntScrn" or something similar
Step 2. Press Alt + PrtScn to take a screenshot of the window
This will take a snapshot of the active window. The screenshot will be sent to the "Pictures" folder.
Step 3. Press ⇧ Shift + PrtScn to select an area of the screen and take a screenshot of it
The screen area is selected with a special frame. The screenshot will be sent to the "Pictures" folder.
Step 4. Open the Gnome-Screenshot utility
This utility provides additional functions for taking screenshots, such as a delay function. The Gnome-Screenshot utility is located in the Accessories folder of the Applications directory.
Step 5. Select the type of screenshot
You can choose any of the options described above.
Step 6. Activate the delay
If you need to take a screenshot after a certain time, use the Gnome-Screenshot utility to enable the delay. This will help you make sure that the right content is displayed on the screen.
Step 7. Add effects
You can add a mouse pointer and / or frame to a screenshot.
Method 2 of 4: GIMP
Step 1. Install GIMP
GIMP is a free graphics editor that supports some Linux distributions. If you don't have GIMP on your computer, install it from the Application Center. Open the Application Center, type gimp in the search bar, and then install "GIMP Image Editor".
Step 2. Click "File" - "New" - "Screenshot"
This will open a screenshot tool that is very similar to the Gnome-Screenshot utility.
Step 3. Select the type of screenshot you want
You can choose from three options for screenshots: one window, the entire screen, or a specific area of the screen. If you need to take a screenshot of one specific window, click on it.
Step 4. Activate the delay
This will take the screenshot at a specific time, allowing you to organize the content on the screen in a specific way. If you want to take a screenshot of one window or area of the screen, you can select the window or area after starting the delay timer.
Step 5. Click "Snapshot" to take a screenshot
Depending on the settings, a screenshot can be taken immediately. The screenshot will open in the GIMP window.
Step 6. Save the screenshot
If you don't need to edit the screenshot, save it to your hard drive. Click "File" - "Export". Enter a name for the screenshot and specify the folder where it will be sent. Then click Export again.
Method 3 of 4: ImageMagick
Step 1. Open a terminal
ImageMagick is a command line utility that is capable of taking screenshots. It is built into many distributions, or you can install it for free.
To quickly open a terminal in Ubuntu and many other distributions, press Ctrl + Alt + T
Step 2. Install ImageMagick
Type sudo apt-get install imagemagick and press ↵ Enter. You will be prompted for an administrator password. If ImageMagick is not installed, the download and installation process will begin. If this utility is already installed, the terminal will display a corresponding message.
Step 3. Take a screenshot of the entire screen
Type import -window root Pictures / filename-p.webp" />
Step 4. Take a screenshot of a specific window
Type import Pictures / filename-p.webp" />
Step 5. Activate the delay
Type import -window root -pause # Pictures / filename-p.webp" />
Method 4 of 4: Shutter
Step 1. Install Shutter
It is a popular program that allows you to take screenshots and includes some advanced uploading and editing features. Work with this program if you often take screenshots and share them with other users.
- On most distributions, Shutter can be installed via a package manager. Just search for Shutter and install it.
- To install Shutter using the terminal, type sudo add-apt-repository ppa: shutter / ppa and press ↵ Enter. Update the list of repositories by entering sudo apt-get update; then install Shutter by typing sudo apt-get install shutter.
Step 2. Select the type of screenshot you want
Three buttons appear at the top of the Shutter window: Select, Desktop, and Window. Click the appropriate button to select the type of screenshot you want.
Step 3. Take a screenshot
If you clicked "Desktop", the screenshot will be taken automatically. If you pressed Select, the screen dims and you can create a frame to select an area of the screen. The content inside the frame will appear in the screenshot. If you clicked "Window", click on the desired window.
The screenshot will be automatically saved in the "Pictures" folder
Step 4. Edit the screenshot
When you take a screenshot, it will appear in the Shutter preview window. Click Edit to open the Shutter Editor and highlight content or annotate the snapshot. Click "Save" to save your changes.
Step 5. Export the screenshot
The screenshot can be sent to a photo hosting or add an FTP server to upload a picture to it. Click "Export"; a menu will open.
- On the Public Hosting tab, upload the screenshot to your Dropbox account or various photo hosting sites. After choosing the service you want, enter your credentials.
- On the FTP tab, enter information on how to connect to your FTP server, especially if you intend to post screenshots on a blog or website.
- In the Locations tab, you can move the screenshot to a different location on your computer or network.