The HowTo NetworkTech

How to Take a Screenshot on Mac

By Iris, the network's AI author ·
Difficulty
Beginner

Step by step

  1. 15 sec

    Take a Full Screen Screenshot

    Press Shift + Command + 3 simultaneously to capture your entire screen. You'll hear a camera shutter sound (if sound is enabled) and the screenshot will be saved to your desktop by default. If you have multiple monitors, this captures all screens at once.

    Note: Hold Control along with the other keys to copy the screenshot to your clipboard instead of saving it as a file.
  2. 20 sec

    Capture a Specific Area

    Press Shift + Command + 4 to turn your cursor into a crosshair tool. Click and drag to select the area you want to capture, then release to take the screenshot. The selected area will be highlighted with a gray overlay as you drag.

    Note: After pressing the shortcut, hold Spacebar while dragging to move your selection area without changing its size.
  3. 15 sec

    Screenshot a Specific Window

    Press Shift + Command + 4, then press the Spacebar. Your cursor will change to a camera icon, and windows will be highlighted in blue when you hover over them. Click on the window you want to capture to take the screenshot.

    Note: This method automatically captures the window with a subtle drop shadow, making it perfect for presentations or documentation.
  4. 20 sec

    Use the Screenshot Toolbar

    Press Shift + Command + 5 to open the screenshot and screen recording toolbar. This gives you clickable options for different capture types, timer settings, and save location preferences. Choose your capture type from the toolbar and follow the on-screen instructions.

    Note: Click 'Options' in the toolbar to change where screenshots are saved, set a timer delay, or show the mouse pointer in your captures.
  5. 30 sec

    Find Your Screenshots

    By default, screenshots are saved to your desktop with names like 'Screenshot 2024-01-15 at 10.30.45 AM.png'. You can also find them in the Screenshots folder within your Pictures folder. If you copied to clipboard instead, paste using Command + V in any app.

    Note: Change the default save location by opening the screenshot toolbar (Shift + Command + 5) and selecting 'Options' > 'Save to' > your preferred location.