The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Some links on this page are affiliate links: if you buy through them we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.
On the default Ubuntu desktop, press Print to open the screenshot tool. Press Alt + Print to capture the focused window immediately, or Shift + Print to capture the entire screen. Screenshots are saved in ~/Pictures/Screenshots and are also copied to the clipboard.
These instructions apply primarily to Ubuntu’s default GNOME desktop. Kubuntu, Xubuntu, Ubuntu MATE, Lubuntu, and other desktop environments may use different screenshot tools and shortcuts.
The quickest way to take a screenshot on Ubuntu
- Press Print to open Ubuntu’s screenshot overlay.
- Make sure the tool is in Image mode, not screencast mode.
- Choose Selection, Screen, or Window.
- Enable the pointer option if you want the mouse cursor included.
- Select the area or window when required, then click the capture button.
You can also capture by pressing Enter, Space, or Ctrl + C when the overlay is ready. Ubuntu saves the image and places a copy on the clipboard.
See Ubuntu’s current documentation for the screenshot tool and keyboard shortcuts.
#1 Best Overall
- LINUX COMMANDS. ZERO SEARCHING. – Keep essential Linux and Unix command lines directly beneath your fingertips, so you can code, troubleshoot and work faster without breaking focus.
- YOUR DESK. SMARTER. – Commands are clearly grouped by networking, directory navigation, processes, users, files and system management for quick answers exactly when you need them.
- BUILT FOR EVERY LINUX USER – A practical go-to reference for beginners and seasoned programmers working with Kali, Red Hat, Ubuntu, openSUSE, Arch, Debian and other distributions.
- ROOM TO CODE, WORK & PLAY – The extended 31.5 x 11.8-inch Pixiecube desk mat provides ample space for a laptop or keyboard and mouse, while the soft 2 mm surface adds everyday comfort.
- BUILT FOR REAL-WORLD WORKDAYS – A rugged stitched edge helps prevent fraying, and the water-resistant, stain-resistant surface protects against scratches, spills and everyday wear—because smarter desks should work harder.
Ubuntu screenshot keyboard shortcuts
| What you want to do | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Open the screenshot overlay | |
| Capture the focused window | Alt + Print |
| Capture the entire screen | Shift + Print |
| Start or stop a screencast | Shift + Ctrl + Alt + R |
On some keyboards, Print is labeled PrtSc, PrtScn, Print Screen, or Screenshot.
How to capture the entire screen
For an immediate full-screen capture, press Shift + Print. Ubuntu saves the image without opening the overlay.
Alternatively, press Print, choose Screen, and click the capture button. This is useful when you want to include the pointer or confirm the capture mode first.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →How to screenshot one window
Click the window you want to capture so it has keyboard focus, then press Alt + Print. “Focused window” means the window currently receiving keyboard input; it is not necessarily the window closest to the mouse pointer.
You can also press Print, choose Window, select the required open window, and capture it.
Rank #2
- ✅For beginners, refer image-7, its a video boot instruction, and image-6 is "boot menu Hot Key list"
- ✅16-IN-1, 64GB Bootable USB Drive 3.2 , Can Run Linux On USB Drive Without Install, All Latest versions.
- ✅Including Windows 11 64Bit & Linux Mint 22.3 (Cinnamon)、Kali 2026.02、Ubuntu 26.04、Zorin Pro 18、Tails 7.8.1、Debian 13.5.0、Garuda 2026.03、Fedora Workstation 44、Manjaro 25.06、Pop!_OS 22.04、Solus 2026.04、Archcraft 26.05、Neon 2026.06、Fossapup 9.5、Sparkylinux 8.3, All ISO has been Tested
- ✅Supported UEFI and Legacy, Compatibility any PC/Laptop, Any boot issue only needs to disable "Secure Boot"
How to screenshot part of the screen
- Press Print.
- Choose Selection while in Image mode.
- Drag around the area you want to capture.
- Resize or redraw the selection if necessary.
- Click the capture button, or press Enter.
The selection interface provides handles and a crosshair-style cursor for choosing a precise region.
Where Ubuntu saves screenshots
The default save location is:
~/Pictures/ScreenshotsThis is equivalent to:
/home/your-username/Pictures/ScreenshotsUbuntu screenshot filenames begin with Screenshot and include date and time information. Open the Files application and select Pictures, then Screenshots.
How to paste a screenshot directly into another app
Ubuntu’s built-in screenshot tool saves the image and copies it to the clipboard. Immediately after capturing, press Ctrl + V in an email composer, chat application, document editor, or image editor.
Clipboard behavior is not identical across all screenshot programs, desktop environments, remote sessions, or Wayland and X11 configurations. If you use a third-party utility, check its capture options.
How to include the mouse pointer
- Press Print.
- Activate the pointer option in the screenshot overlay.
- Choose a screen, window, or selection.
- Capture the image.
The pointer option is available inside Ubuntu’s screenshot interface rather than as a separate keyboard shortcut.
Rank #3
- LINUX COMMANDS. ZERO SEARCHING. – Keep essential Linux and Unix command lines directly beneath your fingertips, so you can code, troubleshoot and work faster without breaking focus.
- YOUR DESK. SMARTER. – Commands are clearly grouped by networking, directory navigation, processes, users, files and system management for quick answers exactly when you need them.
- BUILT FOR EVERY LINUX USER – A practical go-to reference for beginners and seasoned programmers working with Kali, Red Hat, Ubuntu, openSUSE, Arch, Debian and other distributions.
- MAXIMUM SPACE TO CODE & CREATE – The oversized 35.4 x 15.7-inch Pixiecube desk mat gives you more room for a laptop or full-size keyboard, mouse, notes and accessories—without crowding your workflow.
- BUILT FOR REAL-WORLD WORKDAYS – A rugged stitched edge helps prevent fraying, and the water-resistant, stain-resistant surface protects against scratches, spills and everyday wear—because smarter desks should work harder.
Keyboard-only screenshot controls
You can operate the overlay without the mouse:
- Print opens the screenshot tool.
- S selects an area.
- C selects the screen.
- W selects a window.
- P shows or hides the pointer.
- V switches between screenshot and screencast modes.
- Enter, Space, or Ctrl + C captures the image.
How to record the screen
Ubuntu’s screenshot overlay can also record a screencast. Press Print, switch from Image to screencast mode, choose Selection or Screen, and click the red record button.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
For a quick recording, press Shift + Ctrl + Alt + R. Press the same shortcut again to stop, or click the red recording indicator in the top bar.
Recordings are saved under:
~/Videos/ScreencastsTaking screenshots from the terminal with gnome-screenshot
gnome-screenshot is a documented command-line utility, but it should be treated as an optional or legacy workflow rather than automatically assumed to be the backend for the current Print overlay. Its availability and behavior can vary by Ubuntu release.
Useful commands include:
# Capture the whole screen
gnome-screenshot
# Capture the active window
gnome-screenshot --window
# Select an area interactively
gnome-screenshot --area
# Copy the capture directly to the clipboard
gnome-screenshot --clipboard
# Save with a specific filename
gnome-screenshot --file="$HOME/Pictures/my-screenshot.png"
# Wait five seconds before capturing
gnome-screenshot --delay=5 --file="$HOME/Pictures/delayed.png"The delay option is useful when you need to open a menu or tooltip before capturing it. The command requires the gnome-screenshot package to be installed. Its options and package version are release-specific; consult the Ubuntu manpage for the relevant release.
Install Flameshot for annotations
Ubuntu’s built-in tool is the best choice for ordinary full-screen, window, and region captures. Install Flameshot if you regularly need arrows, highlighting, blur-style editing, custom save paths, or command-line workflows.
Rank #4
- Fluid Typing Experience: Laptop-like profile with spherically-dished keys shaped for your fingertips delivers a fast, fluid, precise and quieter typing experience
- Automate Repetitive Tasks: Easily create and share time-saving Smart Actions shortcuts to perform multiple actions with a single keystroke with the Logi Options+ app (1)
- Smarter Illumination: Backlit keyboard keys light up as your hands approach and adapt to the environment; Now with more lighting customizations on Logi Options+ (1)
- More Comfort, Deeper Focus: Work for longer with a solid build, low-profile design and an optimum keyboard angle that is better for your wrist posture
- Multi-Device, Multi OS Bluetooth Keyboard: Pair with up to 3 devices on nearly any operating system (Windows, macOS, Linux) via Bluetooth Low Energy or included Logi Bolt USB receiver (2)
Install it with:
sudo apt install flameshotStart the region-selection interface with:
flameshot guiOther examples include:
# Capture the full screen
flameshot full
# Copy a full-screen capture to the clipboard
flameshot full --clipboard
# Use a custom save directory
flameshot gui --path "$HOME/Pictures/Screenshots"
# Capture a numbered monitor
flameshot screen --number 1Flameshot requires installation and its behavior can depend on the desktop environment and portal backend. Its documentation describes some GNOME and Wayland support as experimental, so Ubuntu’s built-in tool is the safer default on modern installations. Monitor numbering also needs to be verified on your system.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Troubleshooting Ubuntu screenshots
Pressing Print does nothing
- Try Fn + Print on a laptop.
- Open the system menu and use its screenshot control.
- Go to Settings → Keyboard → View and Customize Shortcuts and inspect the screenshot bindings.
- Check whether another application, extension, or custom shortcut has claimed the key.
- Try Alt + Print or Shift + Print.
- If you use Kubuntu, Xubuntu, or another Ubuntu flavor, use that desktop’s screenshot settings.
The exact system-menu icon and location can vary with Ubuntu releases, languages, display scaling, and desktop flavors.
The screenshot is saved somewhere unexpected
First check ~/Pictures/Screenshots. If it is not there, confirm that you are looking in the correct user’s home directory. Third-party utilities may copy an image only to the clipboard or use their own output folder.
The wrong window was captured
Focus the intended window by clicking it, then use Alt + Print. You can also use the overlay’s Window mode to select the correct open window.
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteWindows 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 reinstallMenus or tooltips disappear before capture
If gnome-screenshot is installed, use a delay:
gnome-screenshot --delay=5 --file="$HOME/Pictures/delayed.png"Open the menu during the five-second delay. This command is optional and may not be installed by default.
Best Value
- 1. 9-in-1 Linux:32GB Bootable Linux USB Flash Drive for Ubuntu 24.04 LTS, Linux Mint cinnamon 22, MX Linux xfce 23, Elementary OS 8.0, Linux Lite xfce 7.0, Manjaro kde 24(Replaced by Fedora Workstation 43), Peppermint Debian 32bit (being replaced by MX Linux 32bit) for older PC, Pop OS 22, Zorin OS core xfce 17. The versions you received might be latest than above as we update them to latest/LTS when we think necessary.
- 2. Try or install:Before installing on your PC, you can try them one by one without touching your hard disks.
- 3. Easy to use: These distros are easy to use and built with beginners in mind. Most of them Come with a wide range of pre-bundled software that includes office productivity suite, Web browser, instant messaging, image editing, multimedia, and email. Ensure transition to Linux World without regrets for Windows users.
- 4. Support: Printed user guide on how to boot up and try or install Linux; please contact us for help if you have an issue. Please press "Enter" a couple of times if you see a black screen after selecting a Linux.
- 5. Compatibility: Except for MACs,Chromebooks and ARM-based devices, works with any brand's laptop and desktop PC, legacy BIOS or UEFI booting, Requires enabling USB boot in BIOS/UEFI configuration and disabling Secure Boot is necessary for UEFI boot mode. Packing: The bootable USB drive comes in a colored PET/CPP zipper bag with instructions on how to get started. The box pictured is not included.
The capture is black
Black frames can result from protected video, DRM, virtual machines, remote desktops, or hardware-accelerated applications. Changing from one Ubuntu shortcut to another will not reliably bypass application or content-protection restrictions.
Multiple monitors behave differently
Ubuntu’s official screenshot documentation describes screen, window, and selection capture but does not promise identical monitor-selection behavior on every release. If you need explicit monitor selection, Flameshot provides a monitor command, but the numbering and behavior should be checked on your system.
Wayland, X11, SSH, and remote sessions
Ubuntu’s integrated screenshot tool is the safest recommendation for the default desktop. Older command-line utilities and third-party tools may behave differently under Wayland and X11. A text-only SSH session also does not provide direct access to the local graphical screenshot overlay unless you otherwise access or forward the graphical display.
Check screenshots before sharing
A screenshot can expose passwords, access tokens, private documents, browser URLs, notifications, or content from another monitor. Review the image before sending it, and crop or redact sensitive information when necessary.
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.
