How to Take a Screenshot on Ubuntu

Screenshots can be an important tool for documenting bugs, sharing images, or providing instructions. If you are using Ubuntu, taking a screenshot is easy and can be done in a few simple steps. In this guide, we will show you how to take a screenshot on Ubuntu using the built-in tools.

Using Print Screen

On Linux, the Print Screen key is usually used to take a screenshot of the entire desktop or the active window. However, the exact behavior of the Print Screen key can vary depending on the desktop environment or window manager being used.

In many Linux desktop environments, such as GNOME, pressing the Print Screen key will capture a screenshot of the entire desktop and save it as an image file in the user’s home directory or the “Pictures” folder. In some desktop environments, such as KDE, pressing the Print Screen key will bring up a dialog box that allows the user to choose the type of screenshot they want to take and where to save it.

Step 1: Open Application or Window

First, open the application or window that you want to capture in the screenshot.

Step 2: Take Screenshot

To take a screenshot of the entire screen, press the Print Screen key on your keyboard.

Step 3: (Optional) Specify Area

To take a screenshot of a specific area, press Shift + Print Screen. The cursor will turn into a crosshair. Click and drag the crosshair to select the area you want to capture. A preview of the screenshot will appear on the screen.

Step 4: (Optional) Specify Window

To take a screenshot of a specific window, click on the window to make it active, then press Alt + Print Screen.

Step 5: Save File

If you are satisfied with the screenshot, click Save to save it as a PNG file. You can also choose to copy the screenshot to the clipboard or cancel the screenshot.

Conclusion

Taking a screenshot on Ubuntu is a simple and straightforward process. With just a few keyboard shortcuts, you can capture the entire screen, a specific area, or a specific window. The built-in tools make it easy to save or copy the screenshot to the clipboard for easy sharing or documentation.