Linux Mint offers a pre-installed application specifically for taking screenshots. If you are wondering how to screenshot on Linux Mint, you have several built-in options that are both fast and easy to use. This guide will walk you through every method, from keyboard shortcuts to the dedicated Screenshot tool, so you can capture your screen exactly how you need it.
Taking screenshots is a common task for many users, whether you are saving a conversation, capturing an error message, or sharing a tutorial. Linux Mint makes this process simple, but the exact steps can vary depending on your desktop environment. Most modern versions of Linux Mint use the Cinnamon desktop, but the same principles apply to MATE and Xfce editions as well.
In this article, you will learn the keyboard shortcuts, the graphical tool, and even some command-line methods for taking screenshots. By the end, you will be able to capture the entire screen, a specific window, or a selected area with just a few clicks or keystrokes. Let us get started with the most straightforward approach first.
Using Keyboard Shortcuts For Screenshots
The quickest way to take a screenshot in Linux Mint is by using keyboard shortcuts. These shortcuts work right out of the box, no configuration needed. They are ideal for capturing something fast without opening any extra software.
Here are the default keyboard shortcuts for taking screenshots in Linux Mint Cinnamon:
- Print Screen (PrtSc): Captures the entire screen and saves it to your Pictures folder.
- Alt + Print Screen: Captures only the currently active window and saves it.
- Shift + Print Screen: Lets you select a specific area of the screen to capture and save.
- Ctrl + Print Screen: Captures the entire screen and copies it to your clipboard instead of saving.
- Ctrl + Alt + Print Screen: Captures the active window and copies it to the clipboard.
- Ctrl + Shift + Print Screen: Lets you select an area and copies it to the clipboard.
When you use the shortcuts that save to a file, the screenshot is automatically placed in your ~/Pictures directory. The file name usually includes the date and time, making it easy to find later. If you use the clipboard shortcuts, you can paste the image directly into an application like GIMP or a word processor.
These shortcuts are the same in MATE and Xfce editions, though the exact behavior might differ slightly. For example, in Xfce, the default tool might ask you what to do before saving. But the core functionality remains the same.
How To Screenshot On Linux Mint Using The GUI Tool
If you prefer a visual interface over keyboard shortcuts, Linux Mint includes a dedicated Screenshot application. This tool gives you more control over how you capture your screen. You can set timers, choose effects, and decide where to save the image.
To open the Screenshot tool, follow these steps:
- Click on the Menu button in the bottom-left corner of your screen.
- Type “Screenshot” into the search bar.
- Click on the Screenshot application icon that appears.
Once the window opens, you will see three main options: Capture the entire screen, Capture the current window, or Select an area to grab. Below these options, you can set a delay timer, which is useful for capturing menus or tooltips that disappear quickly.
Here is how to use each option:
- Grab the whole screen: Select this radio button, then click “Take Screenshot.” The image will be captured after any delay you set.
- Grab the current window: Choose this option, then click “Take Screenshot.” Your mouse cursor will change to a crosshair. Click on the window you want to capture.
- Select an area to grab: Pick this option and click “Take Screenshot.” Your cursor becomes a crosshair again. Click and drag to select the region you want, then release the mouse button.
After taking the screenshot, a preview window appears. Here you can save the image, copy it to the clipboard, or open it with an image editor. You can also choose the file format, which is usually PNG by default. This tool is very intuitive and perfect for beginners.
Setting A Timer In The Screenshot Tool
The timer feature is especially handy when you need to capture a dropdown menu or a right-click context menu. These elements disappear as soon as you click away, so a delay gives you time to open them.
To use the timer, simply enter the number of seconds you want to wait in the “Delay” field before taking the screenshot. For example, if you set it to 5 seconds, you can click “Take Screenshot,” then quickly open the menu you want to capture. The screenshot will be taken automatically after the delay.
You can also enable the option to include the mouse pointer in the screenshot. This is useful for tutorials where you want to show where the user should click. Just check the box that says “Include pointer” before taking the shot.
Taking Screenshots With The Command Line
For advanced users or those who prefer the terminal, Linux Mint offers command-line tools for taking screenshots. The primary tool is called gnome-screenshot, which is installed by default. You can use it with various options to capture exactly what you need.
Here are some common commands:
gnome-screenshot: Takes a screenshot of the entire screen and saves it.gnome-screenshot -w: Captures only the active window.gnome-screenshot -a: Lets you select an area to capture.gnome-screenshot -d 5: Adds a 5-second delay before taking the screenshot.gnome-screenshot -c: Copies the screenshot to the clipboard instead of saving.
You can combine options as well. For example, gnome-screenshot -w -d 3 will wait 3 seconds and then capture the active window. This is great for scripting or automating tasks.
If you want to save the screenshot with a custom file name, you can use the --file option. For instance, gnome-screenshot --file=~/Pictures/my-screenshot.png will save it with that specific name. The command line gives you a lot of flexibility, especially if you are comfortable with the terminal.
Using Scrot For More Control
Another command-line tool you can install is scrot. It is lightweight and offers additional features like thumbnails and quality settings. To install it, open a terminal and type sudo apt install scrot. Once installed, you can use it similarly to gnome-screenshot.
Examples of scrot commands:
scrot: Captures the entire screen and saves it.scrot -s: Lets you select an area to capture.scrot -u: Captures the focused window.scrot -d 5: Adds a 5-second delay.scrot -c: Copies the image to the clipboard.
Scrot is a great alternative if you want more options or if gnome-screenshot is not working for some reason. It is widely used in Linux communities for its simplicity and speed.
Editing Screenshots After Capture
Sometimes you need to annotate or crop your screenshot before sharing it. Linux Mint includes a basic image viewer called Pix, but for editing, you might want something more powerful. GIMP is a full-featured image editor that is free and open-source.
To install GIMP, open the Software Manager and search for “GIMP,” or use the terminal: sudo apt install gimp. Once installed, you can open your screenshot directly in GIMP to add arrows, text, or highlights.
For quick edits, you can also use the built-in drawing tools in the Screenshot tool itself. After taking a screenshot, the preview window gives you options to open it with an image editor. You can also right-click the saved file and choose “Open with” to select your preferred application.
If you need to capture a specific part of the screen and edit it immediately, consider using a tool like Flameshot. It is a more advanced screenshot application that includes built-in annotation features. You can install it from the Software Manager or via the terminal: sudo apt install flameshot.
Flameshot For Advanced Screenshots
Flameshot is a powerful screenshot tool that combines capture and editing in one interface. After installation, you can launch it from the menu. It sits in your system tray, and you can set it as your default screenshot tool.
To use Flameshot, click its icon in the system tray and select “Take Screenshot.” You can then draw a rectangle around the area you want to capture. After that, an editor opens with tools for adding arrows, text, shapes, and even blurring sensitive information.
Flameshot also supports uploading screenshots directly to Imgur or other services. This makes it a great choice for users who frequently share screenshots online. It is highly customizable and works well on all desktop environments.
Customizing Screenshot Shortcuts
If the default keyboard shortcuts do not suit your workflow, you can change them easily. In Linux Mint Cinnamon, open the System Settings from the menu. Then go to “Keyboard” and select the “Shortcuts” tab.
Scroll down to the “Screenshots” section. Here you will see all the default shortcuts. To change one, click on it, then press the new key combination you want to use. For example, you might want to use Super + S instead of Shift + Print Screen.
In MATE, the process is similar. Open the Control Center, then go to “Keyboard Shortcuts.” Look for the screenshot actions and reassign them as needed. In Xfce, you can find these settings under “Keyboard” in the Settings Manager.
Customizing shortcuts can save you time, especially if you take screenshots frequently. Choose combinations that are easy to remember and do not conflict with other applications.
Taking Screenshots In Different Desktop Environments
While this guide focuses on Cinnamon, Linux Mint also offers MATE and Xfce editions. The methods are mostly the same, but there are slight differences in the default tools.
In MATE, the default screenshot tool is called “Screenshot” and works similarly to the Cinnamon version. The keyboard shortcuts are also identical. However, MATE uses the Marco window manager, which might affect how window capture works.
In Xfce, the default tool is “xfce4-screenshooter.” It offers similar options but with a different interface. You can also set it to open the screenshot in an editor immediately. The keyboard shortcuts are the same, but you can configure them in the Xfce settings.
Regardless of the edition, the core concept remains the same. You can always fall back on the command-line tools if the GUI is not available.
Common Issues And Fixes
Sometimes screenshots do not work as expected. Here are some common problems and their solutions:
- Nothing happens when I press Print Screen: Check if the shortcut is assigned correctly in the keyboard settings. Also, make sure no other application is overriding the key.
- Screenshots are not saving: Verify that your Pictures folder exists and is writable. You can create it manually if needed.
- Blurry or low-quality screenshots: This is rare, but if it happens, check your display settings. Screenshots should capture at your screen’s native resolution.
- Cannot capture certain windows or menus: Use the delay timer to give yourself time to open the menu before the screenshot is taken.
If you are using a custom theme or compositor, it might interfere with screenshot tools. Try switching to the default theme to see if that fixes the issue. Most of the time, the built-in tools work flawlessly.
Third-Party Screenshot Tools
Besides the built-in options, there are many third-party tools available for Linux Mint. Some popular ones include:
- Shutter: A feature-rich screenshot tool with editing capabilities. It is no longer maintained but still works on many systems.
- Ksnip: A modern screenshot tool with annotation features. It is actively developed and available in the Software Manager.
- Spectacle: The default screenshot tool for KDE, but it can be installed on Linux Mint as well.
These tools often provide more options than the default ones. For example, Shutter allows you to capture a specific menu or tooltip with ease. Ksnip includes a built-in image editor with shapes and text.
To install any of these, open the Software Manager and search for the name. You can also use the terminal with sudo apt install followed by the package name. Experiment with different tools to find the one that fits your needs best.
Automating Screenshots
If you need to take screenshots regularly, you can automate the process using scripts. For example, you can create a bash script that takes a screenshot every few seconds. This is useful for creating time-lapse videos or monitoring changes on your screen.
Here is a simple script that takes a screenshot every 10 seconds:
#!/bin/bash
for i in {1..10}; do
gnome-screenshot --file=~/Pictures/screenshot_$i.png
sleep 10
done
Save this script as screenshot-loop.sh, make it executable with chmod +x screenshot-loop.sh, and run it from the terminal. You can adjust the number of screenshots and the delay as needed.
For more advanced automation, you can use cron jobs to take screenshots at specific times. This is beyond the scope of this guide, but it is possible with a little bit of Linux knowledge.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do I Take A Screenshot On Linux Mint Without The Print Screen Key?
If your keyboard does not have a Print Screen key, you can use the Screenshot tool from the menu. Alternatively, you can assign a different shortcut in the keyboard settings. The command-line tools also work without any special keys.
Where Are My Screenshots Saved In Linux Mint?
By default, screenshots are saved in the ~/Pictures folder. The file name usually includes the date and time. You can change the save location in the Screenshot tool settings or by using the --file option in the command line.
Can I Take A Screenshot Of A Specific Window In Linux Mint?
Yes, you can. Use the keyboard shortcut Alt + Print Screen to capture only the active window. You can also use the Screenshot tool and select “Grab the current window.” The command-line option -w does the same thing.
How Do I Take A Screenshot With A Timer In Linux Mint?
In the Screenshot tool, set the delay in seconds before clicking “Take Screenshot.” On the command line, use the -d option followed by the number of seconds. For example, gnome-screenshot -d 5 will wait 5 seconds.
What Is The Best Screenshot Tool For Linux Mint?
The best tool depends on your needs. For basic screenshots, the built-in tool works great. For annotations, Flameshot or Ksnip are excellent choices. If you need advanced features, consider Shutter or Spectacle.
Final Thoughts On Screenshots In Linux Mint
Taking screenshots in Linux Mint is straightforward once you know the methods. Whether you prefer keyboard shortcuts, the GUI tool, or the command line, you have plenty of options. The built-in tools are reliable and cover most use cases.
Remember that you can customize shortcuts and install third-party tools if you need more features. The key is to find a workflow that works for you. Practice using the different methods to see which one feels most natural.
If you ever run into issues, the Linux Mint community is very helpful. Forums and online resources can provide solutions for specific problems. With a little practice, you will be taking screenshots like a pro in no time.
Now that you know how to screenshot on Linux Mint, you can capture anything on your screen with ease. Start by trying the keyboard shortcuts, then explore the GUI tool for more control. Happy screenshotting!