Greenshot

What is Greenshot?

Greenshot is a free, open-source screenshot tool for Windows that provides a lightweight yet powerful solution for capturing, annotating, and sharing screen content. First released in 2007, Greenshot has become one of the most popular screenshot utilities among Windows users, offering features that rival commercial alternatives while remaining completely free. The software is developed by a small team of passionate developers and maintained through community contributions, embodying the best of open-source software development.

What distinguishes Greenshot from Windows’ built-in Snipping Tool or other screenshot applications is its combination of speed, flexibility, and annotation capabilities. Greenshot captures screenshots instantly with customizable hotkeys, then provides an integrated image editor for adding annotations, highlights, obfuscations, and other visual elements before sharing. The workflow is designed for efficiency, allowing users to capture and process screenshots in seconds rather than minutes.

Greenshot’s lightweight footprint and system tray integration make it an always-ready tool that doesn’t burden system resources. The software supports multiple output destinations including clipboard, file, printer, email, and various cloud services through plugins. Whether you’re creating software documentation, reporting bugs, capturing receipts, or sharing visual information with colleagues, Greenshot provides a streamlined workflow that has earned it millions of users worldwide.

Key Features

• Multiple Capture Modes: Capture full screen, active window, selected region, scrolling webpage, or last captured region with single keystrokes.
• Built-in Image Editor: Comprehensive annotation tools including arrows, text, shapes, highlights, and obfuscation for blurring sensitive information.
• Customizable Hotkeys: Configure keyboard shortcuts for different capture modes to match your preferred workflow.
• Multiple Output Options: Send captures to clipboard, save to file, open in editor, print, email, or upload to cloud services.
• Plugin System: Extend functionality with plugins for Imgur, Dropbox, Box, Confluence, Jira, and other services.
• OCR Integration: Extract text from screenshots using OCR capabilities for copying text from images.
• System Tray Integration: Runs quietly in system tray, instantly available whenever needed without opening applications.
• Portable Version: Available as portable application requiring no installation, perfect for USB drives and restricted systems.
• Auto-Save Options: Configure automatic saving with customizable file naming patterns and destination folders.
• Multi-Monitor Support: Full support for multi-monitor setups with options to capture specific monitors or all screens.

What’s New

Greenshot continues to receive updates improving functionality and compatibility:

• Windows 11 Compatibility: Full compatibility with Windows 11 including modern UI elements and system integration.
• High-DPI Support: Improved support for high-resolution displays and DPI scaling on modern monitors.
• Performance Improvements: Optimized capture and processing for faster screenshot workflow on modern systems.
• Updated Plugins: Refreshed plugins for cloud services with improved authentication and upload capabilities.
• Editor Enhancements: New annotation tools and improved editing interface for more efficient image processing.
• Bug Fixes: Ongoing bug fixes addressing user-reported issues and edge cases in capture functionality.
• Localization Updates: Updated translations for international users with support for additional languages.
• Security Updates: Security improvements ensuring safe operation on modern Windows systems.

System Requirements

Windows

• Operating System: Windows 7, 8, 8.1, 10, or 11
• Framework: .NET Framework 4.7.2 or later
• RAM: 256 MB minimum (512 MB recommended)
• Storage: 50 MB available space
• No special graphics requirements

macOS

• Greenshot is Windows-only
• Mac users should consider alternatives like Skitch or native Screenshot app

Linux

• Greenshot is Windows-only
• Linux users can use Flameshot or Shutter as alternatives

Portable Version

• Same Windows requirements as installed version
• Can run from USB drive or network location
• No administrator rights required for portable version

How to Install Greenshot

Standard Installation

1. Visit getgreenshot.org
2. Click “Download” button
3. Run the downloaded installer
4. Follow installation wizard
5. Greenshot starts automatically and appears in system tray

# Download from official website
# https://getgreenshot.org/downloads/

# Using Chocolatey
choco install greenshot

# Using winget
winget install Greenshot.Greenshot

# After installation:
# Greenshot icon appears in system tray
# Default hotkey: Print Screen for region capture
# Right-click tray icon for settings

Portable Installation

1. Download portable ZIP from getgreenshot.org
2. Extract to desired location (USB drive, folder)
3. Run Greenshot.exe directly
4. No installation or admin rights needed
5. Settings stored in application folder

# Portable version:
# 1. Download Greenshot-RELEASE-Portable.zip
# 2. Extract to any folder
# 3. Run Greenshot.exe

# Benefits of portable:
# - No installation required
# - Carry on USB drive
# - Use on restricted computers
# - Settings travel with application

Configuration

# Access settings:
# Right-click Greenshot tray icon > Preferences

# Recommended settings:
# General: Start with Windows (optional)
# Capture: Set preferred region selection behavior
# Output: Configure default destination
# Hotkeys: Customize keyboard shortcuts

# Default hotkeys:
# Print Screen: Capture region
# Alt+Print Screen: Capture window
# Ctrl+Print Screen: Capture full screen
# Shift+Print Screen: Capture last region

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Completely Free: Full-featured screenshot tool with no cost, no ads, no premium tiers, and no feature limitations.
• Open Source: Transparent development, community contributions, and no privacy concerns about proprietary code.
• Lightweight: Minimal system resources and fast performance without bloating your system or slowing down work.
• Excellent Editor: Built-in annotation tools rival paid alternatives, enabling professional screenshot documentation without external software.
• Customizable Workflow: Flexible hotkeys and output options adapt to any workflow preference or use case.
• Portable Option: Portable version requires no installation, perfect for USB drives and restricted environments.
• Plugin Ecosystem: Plugins extend functionality to cloud services and enterprise applications like Confluence and Jira.

Cons

• Windows Only: No support for macOS or Linux, limiting use for cross-platform users.
• No Video Recording: Screenshot-only tool without screen recording capabilities found in some alternatives.
• Limited Cloud Integration: Cloud service plugins may require additional configuration and aren’t as seamless as built-in options.
• Dated Interface: User interface looks somewhat dated compared to modern Windows applications.
• Scrolling Capture Limitations: Scrolling webpage capture works but can be unreliable on complex web pages.

Greenshot vs Alternatives

Who Should Use Greenshot?

Greenshot is ideal for:

• Software Documenters: Technical writers creating documentation with annotated screenshots benefit from the powerful editing tools.
• Support Teams: IT professionals and support staff capturing and annotating screens to communicate issues and solutions.
• Bug Reporters: Developers and QA testers quickly capturing and annotating bugs with obfuscated sensitive information.
• Office Workers: Anyone regularly capturing screens for emails, presentations, or documentation appreciates the efficient workflow.
• Budget-Conscious Users: Those needing professional screenshot capabilities without paying for commercial software.
• USB/Portable Users: People who need screenshot tools on multiple computers or restricted environments benefit from the portable version.

Greenshot may not be ideal for:

• Mac/Linux Users: Platform-specific users need to find alternative tools designed for their operating systems.
• Video Creators: Those needing screen recording alongside screenshots should consider tools like ShareX or OBS.
• Cloud-First Users: Users heavily dependent on cloud sharing might prefer tools with more integrated cloud features.
• Modern UI Seekers: Those who prioritize modern, polished interfaces may find Greenshot’s look outdated.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Greenshot really free?

Yes, Greenshot is completely free for both personal and commercial use. It’s open-source software released under the GNU General Public License (GPL), meaning the source code is freely available and the software will always remain free. There are no premium tiers, subscription fees, or feature limitations. The developers accept donations to support continued development but impose no obligations on users. This makes Greenshot one of the best values in screenshot software.

How do I change Greenshot’s hotkeys?

Right-click the Greenshot icon in the system tray and select “Preferences” (or “Settings” in some versions). Navigate to the “Hotkeys” section where you can customize keyboard shortcuts for each capture mode: region capture, window capture, full screen capture, and last region capture. Click on any hotkey field and press your desired key combination. Be careful not to conflict with other application shortcuts. Changes take effect immediately after closing the preferences dialog.

Can Greenshot capture scrolling web pages?

Greenshot includes an Internet Explorer capture plugin that can capture scrolling web pages, but this feature has limitations. It works best with Internet Explorer and may not function reliably with Chrome or Firefox. For more reliable scrolling capture on modern browsers, consider ShareX or dedicated browser extensions. Alternatively, you can capture visible portions and stitch them together, or use browser developer tools to capture full-page screenshots natively.

Where are Greenshot screenshots saved?

By default, Greenshot prompts you to choose what to do with each capture – save to file, copy to clipboard, open in editor, etc. You can change this behavior in Preferences under the “Output” section. Set a default destination folder and filename pattern for automatic saving. Screenshots can use various formats including PNG, JPEG, GIF, and BMP. The portable version stores settings in its own folder, while the installed version uses AppData.

Does Greenshot work on Windows 11?

Yes, Greenshot is fully compatible with Windows 11. The software works correctly with Windows 11’s interface elements, including the rounded corners and new visual styles. Some users report minor visual quirks, but core functionality works as expected. Greenshot also supports high-DPI displays common on modern Windows 11 systems. If you experience any issues, ensure you’re running the latest version from the official website, as older versions may have compatibility issues.

Final Verdict

Greenshot represents the best of open-source software: a focused, well-designed tool that does one thing exceptionally well without cost or complexity. For Windows users needing reliable screenshot capture with annotation capabilities, Greenshot delivers professional functionality that rivals commercial alternatives costing $50 or more. The combination of quick capture, excellent editing tools, and flexible output options creates an efficient workflow that saves time every day.

The software’s lightweight footprint means it runs unobtrusively in the background, always ready when needed without consuming system resources. The portable version extends this utility to USB drives and restricted environments where installing software isn’t possible. For organizations, the ability to deploy a professional screenshot tool at no cost provides genuine value, while individuals benefit from having commercial-quality tools without spending money.

Greenshot is highly recommended for Windows users seeking a free, capable screenshot solution. While it lacks video recording and has a somewhat dated interface, its core screenshot and annotation functionality remains excellent. Power users wanting extensive cloud integration or video capabilities might prefer ShareX, and those requiring cross-platform support will need platform-specific alternatives. For the majority of Windows users who simply need to capture, annotate, and share screenshots efficiently, Greenshot provides an outstanding free solution that has earned its reputation over more than 15 years of development.