

You can use any tool of your choice, as long as you: The best way to take screenshots varies depending on what you need the screenshot for. This saves another step, because you won't need to edit the image in a graphics program. Some screen capture tools have editing or annotation features built in. Other types of editing include obscuring personal data like usernames and passwords. This is useful when you want to draw attention to a specific thing in the screenshot.

For example, you could highlight a certain area, draw a box or arrow, or underline an important element. This will save you the step of cropping it in another program.Īn annotation is something you add to a screenshot. Other screenshot tools let you select an area of the screen right away. Just select an area and choose Crop selection (Cut out) from the Edit menu. If you're using a tool like this, and you only want to share part of the screenshot, you'll need to crop the relevant area first. This is the most basic type of screenshot. Some screenshot tools automatically capture the entire screen. This will allow you to share the screenshot by sending a link to the recipient, rather than sending them the image itself. Some screen capture tools also let you upload the image to a web server. So, it's always good to ensure you have the right tool to provide screenshots in a way that will work in any situation. Some will accept pasted images, but others won't. Or, you may be able to paste your clipboard screenshot directly into an email or chat interface. You can simply create a new file and paste your screenshot into it, then save it as a. IrfanView is a good free program for this purpose. In that case, you'll need to paste it into a graphics program to create a file. Other screenshot tools only copy the image to your computer's clipboard. Some screenshot tools automatically save the screenshot as an image file. Here's a general rundown of the differences in how screenshot tools work. Your needs for your screenshots can influence which tool is best for you to use. So can the process of taking the screenshot and sharing it. But the capabilities of the tools can vary. The point of any screen capture tool is to take a picture of your screen (whether the whole thing, or just a part of it) so you can share that image as needed. They're not all the same, so it's helpful to know what makes them different.
#Awesome screenshot free for mac windows#
>Built-In Screenshot Tools on Windows and Macintoshīefore we start looking at individual tools, we'll cover some basics of how screen capture tools work.We'll also provide some tips on taking better screenshots, including when you need them for tech support. In this article, we'll go over the best free screen capture tools you can use to take screenshots for any purpose. Especially if they can't see the same thing on their end. Without a screenshot, support can often have a harder time helping you fix a problem. For example, if you need technical support with your website or software, you'll often need to send a screenshot to help communicate your issue to the support team. Sure, you could send links, but a screenshot would save your friend some time.īut there are other important reasons to take screenshots as well. Or maybe you're trying to choose between two products, and you want a friend's opinion on which looks better. This would be a perfect place for a screenshot to enhance your content. Maybe you're writing an article for your online store's blog, and you want to mention one of your favorite websites.

There are all kinds of reasons why you might need one. You never know when you're going to need to take a screenshot.
