Recommended Free Tools
Use GNOME’s built-in screenshot button in the system menu. Open the system menu, choose the screenshot button, select the entire screen, a window, or a rectangular area, and press the capture button. You do not need a Print Screen key, an extension, or another application.
For repeated captures, assign the screenshot action to any key combination your keyboard has in Settings → Keyboard → View and Customize Shortcuts. The exact shortcut names can vary slightly by GNOME version and distribution.
The three ways to capture without PrtSc
GNOME gives you a built-in menu workflow, a remappable keyboard workflow, and (on newer releases) one overlay for both screenshots and screencasts.
| Method | Entry point | Capture targets | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| System-menu button | GNOME system menu | Whole screen, focused window, selected area | A keyboard with no Print Screen key |
| Custom shortcut | Your assigned key combination | Depends on the screenshot action you assign | Fast, repeatable captures |
| Older utility workflow | Distribution-provided screenshot application | Depends on the package and GNOME release | Systems that predate the unified overlay |
GNOME Help describes the first option directly: “Press the Print key or press the screenshot button in the system menu.” When the physical key is absent, the system-menu button is the supported replacement.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
#1 Best Overall
- Reliable Plug and Play: The USB receiver provides a reliable wireless connection up to 33 ft (1), so you can forget about drop-outs and delays and you can take it wherever you use your computer
- Type in Comfort: The design of this keyboard creates a comfortable typing experience thanks to the low-profile, quiet keys and standard layout with full-size F-keys, number pad, and arrow keys
- Durable and Resilient: This full-size wireless keyboard features a spill-resistant design (2), durable keys and sturdy tilt legs with adjustable height
- Long Battery Life: MK270 combo features a 36-month keyboard and 12-month mouse battery life (3), along with on/off switches allowing you to go months without the hassle of changing batteries
- Easy to Use: This wireless keyboard and mouse combo features 8 multimedia hotkeys for instant access to the Internet, email, play/pause, and volume so you can easily check out your favorite sites
Use the system menu (the simplest method)
- Move the pointer to the status area and open the GNOME system menu.
- Select the screenshot button. GNOME opens its screenshot overlay instead of immediately saving an image.
- Choose the target: the entire screen, a window, or an area that you select with the pointer.
- If you selected an area, drag over the rectangle you want. For a window, focus the window before opening the overlay or select it in the overlay.
- Set any available capture options, then click the capture button. The image is saved using GNOME’s normal screenshot handling.
This workflow is useful when your keyboard is compact, has a nonstandard layout, or is connected through a remote session where the Print key is not passed through. It also avoids guessing which function-layer combination your keyboard manufacturer assigned.
Capture an entire screen
Choose the screen or whole-screen option in the overlay, then activate capture. If you use multiple monitors, the overlay’s screen choice determines whether you capture the display you selected or the complete desktop; the exact presentation depends on your GNOME Shell version.
Capture one window
Select the window option and click the application window you need. Make sure the intended window is focused and that menus or dialogs you want included are visible before capturing.
Capture a region
Select the area option and drag its handles around the content. This is the most precise choice for a small control, error message, or part of a document. Re-draw the rectangle if the first selection is off; you can do that before pressing the capture button.
Rank #2
- Media-Friendly: The K400 Plus wireless touch TV keyboard gives you integrated, comfortable control of your PC-to-TV entertainment, eliminating the clutter of a separate keyboard and mouse
- Plug-and-Play: Simply plug the Unifying receiver into a USB port and the wireless touchpad keyboard is ready to go; adjust controls using the Logitech Options Software to save preferred settings
- Power-Packed: Built with laid-back control in mind, this wireless TV keyboard has a reliable and long battery life of up to 18 months (2), including an on/off button to help it go even longer
- Wireless Freedom: Designed for seamless comfort and control, this HTPC keyboard boasts a range of up to 33 ft (1) wireless connectivity, with quiet keys and a large touchpad for easy navigation
- Broad Compatibility: Designed for use with Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10 and later, Android 7 or later, and Chrome OS
Control the overlay from the keyboard
Once the screenshot overlay has focus, GNOME documents these single-key controls:
| Key | Action |
|---|---|
S |
Select an area |
C |
Capture the screen |
W |
Capture the focused window |
P |
Toggle pointer visibility |
V |
Switch between screenshot and screencast modes |
Enter, Space, or Ctrl+C |
Activate capture |
These controls apply after the overlay opens; they are not replacements for opening it. If a letter appears in a text field instead, click the overlay first and try again.
Assign your own screenshot shortcut
Remapping is the best option when you take screenshots frequently and want a one-step action that does not depend on the system menu.
- Open Settings.
- Choose Keyboard.
- Open View and Customize Shortcuts.
- Find the screenshot or screenshots-and-screencasts category. GNOME may use slightly different wording across releases.
- Select the action you need, such as a full-screen, window, or area screenshot.
- Choose the edit or add-shortcut control, press a key combination that exists on your keyboard, and confirm.
- Close Settings and test the combination while an ordinary application is visible.
Assign the action that matches your usual target instead of assigning a generic launcher. A full-screen action is fastest for monitoring or documentation; an area action is better when you normally crop around one detail; a window action keeps application boundaries consistent.
Rank #3
- All-day Comfort: This USB keyboard creates a comfortable and familiar typing experience thanks to the deep-profile keys and standard full-size layout with all F-keys, number pad and arrow keys
- Built to Last: The spill-proof (2) design and durable print characters keep you on track for years to come despite any on-the-job mishaps; it’s a reliable partner for your desk at home, or at work
- Long-lasting Battery Life: A 24-month battery life (4) means you can go for 2 years without the hassle of changing batteries of your wireless full-size keyboard
- Simply plug the USB receiver into a USB port on your desktop, laptop or netbook computer and start using the keyboard right away without any software installation
- Simply Wireless: Forget about drop-outs and delays thanks to a strong, reliable wireless connection with up to 33 ft range (5); K270 is compatible with Windows 7, 8, 10 or later
Choose a combination that will not conflict
- Use keys physically present on the keyboard. If a laptop requires an Fn layer that your desktop environment does not receive, choose another combination.
- Avoid a combination already used by your window manager, terminal, screen reader, or input method.
- If GNOME refuses the assignment or the old action still fires, remove the conflicting binding in the same shortcut page and assign the new one again.
- Test the shortcut in both a normal window and a full-screen application. Full-screen games and remote desktops can intercept combinations before GNOME sees them.
GNOME version differences
GNOME 42 introduced a redesigned screenshot feature that combines screenshots and screen recordings in one interactive overlay. It supports area selection, window capture, and screen recording. Tutorials written for earlier releases may instead show the separate gnome-screenshot utility, so their buttons and shortcut names may not match your desktop.
| GNOME context | What you should expect | What to do when instructions differ |
|---|---|---|
| GNOME 42 and newer | A unified screenshot/screencast overlay with target selection | Use the system-menu button, then the overlay controls |
| Older GNOME or older distribution packaging | A separate screenshot utility or different menu wording | Open the distribution’s screenshot application and use its documented options; remap shortcuts in Keyboard settings where available |
| Customized Shell or enterprise image | System-menu entries can be hidden or renamed | Search Settings for keyboard shortcuts and screenshot actions, and check which GNOME Shell version the distribution ships |
The release number and the distribution’s packaging matter more than the age of an online tutorial. If your overlay has a screencast toggle, you are using the unified design; if it does not, follow the controls shown by your installed utility rather than copying labels from a different release.
Troubleshooting
The screenshot button is not visible
Open the complete system menu rather than the abbreviated quick-settings view. If the button is still absent, your distribution may be using an older GNOME Shell, a customized menu, or a separate screenshot package. Use Settings → Keyboard → View and Customize Shortcuts to see whether screenshot actions are available, or launch the screenshot application supplied by your distribution.
The shortcut does nothing
Return to the shortcut editor and verify that the action is enabled and the combination is recorded exactly as intended. Another global shortcut may have priority. Remove the collision, then test again outside a full-screen application or remote desktop.
Rank #4
- 【Ergonomic Wireless Keyboard Mouse 】: Wireless ergonomic keyboard is equipped with adjustable height tilt legs to increase comfort and prevent your wrists injury when typing for a long time. The full size wireless keyboard with numeric keypad and 12 multimedia shortcut keys, such as play/ pause, volume increase and decrease, and email, to help you improve work efficiency
- 【Stable & Reliable Wireless Connection】: This wireless keyboard and mouse combo share the same USB receiver(stored in the mouse), and they can also be used separately. Plug & play, no need to download any software, 2.4 GHz wireless provides a powerful and reliable connection up to 33 feet(10m) without any delays.You can enjoy the convenience and freedom of wireless connection at home or at work
- 【Comfortable Optical Mouse】: This compact lightweight wireless mouse features a hand-friendly contoured shape for all-day comfort, and smooth, precise tracking.1600 DPI to meet your daily needs. Perfect for home & office work and entertainment
- 【Long Battery Life】: Up to 365 Days of battery life for keyboard and mouse wireless, say goodbye to the hassle of charging cables and replacing batteries. After 10 minutes of inactivity, the wireless keyboard mouse combo will automatically go into sleep mode to save energy. The wireless keyboard requires one AAA battery, and the wireless mouse requires one AA battery.
- 【Less Noise, More Quiet Keys】: Soft membrane keys provide a quiet and comfortable typing experience, So you can type with confidence on a wireless keyboard crafted for comfort, precision and fluidity. The wireless mouse adopts silent micro-motion technology, which is almost completely silent when clicked. No more concerns about disturbing others.
The wrong window is captured
Focus the desired window before opening the overlay. In window mode, click the target window explicitly if the overlay asks you to choose one. Close menus that should not appear in the image and reopen the overlay if the focus changed during selection.
The area selection is the wrong size
Choose area mode again and drag a new rectangle before capturing. On a high-density display, move the pointer slowly along the desired edges; the overlay’s selection boundary, not an application’s internal zoom, defines the captured pixels.
The pointer should not appear
Press P while the overlay is active to toggle pointer visibility, then capture. Check the overlay state before each capture because the setting can persist only for the current interaction or vary by version.
An older tutorial mentions a command you do not have
The separate gnome-screenshot utility belongs to older workflows and may not be installed on a GNOME 42-or-newer system. Do not install a second tool just to reproduce an old shortcut: first try the system-menu overlay and the current Keyboard shortcut page.
Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallOutdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchBest Value
- Connect in seconds: Fast, easy Bluetooth wireless technology simply connects without the need for a dongle or USB port
- Durable and reliable: Built for quality, K250 offers long-lasting keys, a spill-resistant design (2)
- Comfort is key: Deep-profile keys and an adjustable tilt-leg design make typing feel great
- Space-saving: with a compact layout that still includes number pad, arrow keys, and handy F-key shortcuts
- Made responsibly: Designed to last, K250 plastic parts are durably made with minimum 64% recycled plastic (3) to withstand everyday use
Optional extension support
The GNOME Extensions directory includes an extension named Screenshot Tool. It adds functions such as creating, copying, storing, and uploading screenshots and has versions covering several GNOME Shell releases. It is an optional enhancement, not a prerequisite for the built-in system-menu workflow. Install it only when its extra handling matches your needs and its release supports your Shell version.
Or skip the browser setup
If your goal is to capture web pages from code rather than the local GNOME desktop, ScreenshotNeo is the first service to try: it removes consent banners, newsletter popups, and chat widgets before capture, bills only clean shots, and has the lowest paid plan listed here. It is a website screenshot API, so it does not replace GNOME’s local desktop overlay.
One GET request returns a PNG, JPEG, WebP, or PDF. The API accepts the URL and your access key; the complete option set covers full-page captures with lazy images, CSS-selector elements, device and viewport settings, dark mode, retina scale, custom CSS and JavaScript, click and wait actions, blocked resources, headers, cookies, user agents, authorization, timezone, geolocation, transparent backgrounds, resizing, caching, signed links, asynchronous webhooks, bulk capture, usage reporting, and an OpenAPI specification. An MCP server also provides take_screenshot, get_page_info, and capture_pdf tools for Claude, Cursor, and other MCP clients.
See the ScreenshotNeo documentation for parameter details.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →cURL
curl -G "https://api.screenshotneo.com/v1/shot" -d access_key=YOUR_API_KEY --data-urlencode url=https://stripe.com -o shot.webpPython
import requests
r = requests.get("https://api.screenshotneo.com/v1/shot", params={"access_key": "YOUR_API_KEY", "url": "https://stripe.com"}, timeout=90)
open("shot.webp", "wb").write(r.content)Node.js
const q = new URLSearchParams({ access_key: 'YOUR_API_KEY', url: 'https://stripe.com' });
const res = await fetch(`https://api.screenshotneo.com/v1/shot?${q}`);Bot checks or CAPTCHAs, blank pages, timeouts, failed loads, and cache hits are not billed, and each response identifies its page verdict and billing status with X-Page-Verdict and X-Billed headers. The free plan includes 1,000 screenshots per month with no card; paid plans start at $5 for 3,000 shots. Sign up for the free ScreenshotNeo plan to try website captures without a card.
A quick decision checklist
- Need one local desktop image now: open the GNOME system menu and use its screenshot button.
- Need a repeatable keyboard action: assign the appropriate screenshot action in Keyboard settings.
- Need area, window, pointer, or screencast control: use the overlay keys
S,W,P, andV. - Following an old guide: check whether your system uses GNOME 42’s unified overlay or an older separate utility.
- Need automated webpage images: use ScreenshotNeo’s API or MCP server instead of trying to automate the desktop overlay.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the unified GNOME overlay handle video as well as still images?
Yes. Press V in the overlay to switch between screenshot and screencast modes, then use the displayed capture control.
Do I need the Screenshot Tool extension to take a normal GNOME screenshot?
No. The system-menu screenshot button and Keyboard shortcut settings provide the built-in workflow; the extension is only for additional storage, copying, or uploading features.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems
