![](https://martech.zone/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/macos-screenshots-change-default-directory.png)
One of many every day battles I’ve working throughout purchasers and websites is that my MacOS desktop tends to get cluttered with recordsdata. I like utilizing my desktop as a working listing, however I retailer non permanent recordsdata in my downloads folder.
As I usually work on articles for Martech Zone or doc consumer points, I are inclined to take many screenshots. My desktop is cluttered after a few weeks, and I have to take away the screenshots always. After researching, I discovered the best way to change the default listing the place screenshots are saved!
Take Screenshots on MacOS
MacOS has a number of keyboard shortcuts for taking screenshots, every serving a distinct function. Right here’s an inventory of the frequent shortcuts:
- Seize the Whole Display:
- Press
Command (⌘) + Shift + 3
. - The screenshot of the whole display screen can be saved to your desktop or the situation you’ve gotten set because the default.
- Press
- Seize a Portion of the Display:
- Press
Command (⌘) + Shift + 4
. - The cursor adjustments to a crosshair. Click on and drag to pick the world you wish to seize. If you launch the mouse button, the screenshot can be taken.
- Press
- Seize a Particular Window:
- Press
Command (⌘) + Shift + 4
, then press the Spacebar. - The cursor adjustments to a digicam icon. Transfer it to the window you wish to seize (the window can be highlighted), then click on to take the screenshot.
- Press
- Seize a Menu:
- First, open the menu to be captured.
- Press
Command (⌘) + Shift + 4
, then press the Spacebar. - Click on the open menu to seize it.
- Seize a Screenshot Utilizing the Screenshot Toolbar:
- Press
Command (⌘) + Shift + 5.
- You will notice onscreen controls for recording the whole display screen, recording a particular portion of the display screen, or capturing a nonetheless picture of your display screen
- Press
- Seize a Display Recording Utilizing QuickTime Participant:
- Open QuickTime Participant out of your Functions folder, then select File > New Display Recording from the menu bar.
- Seize a Screenshot and Save to Clipboard:
- To seize the whole display screen and put it aside to the clipboard, press
Command (⌘) + Management + Shift + 3
. - To seize a portion of the display screen and put it aside to the clipboard, press
Command (⌘) + Management + Shift + 4
. - After utilizing these shortcuts, you’ll be able to paste the screenshot right into a doc, e mail, or some other software that helps picture pasting.
- To seize the whole display screen and put it aside to the clipboard, press
- Seize a Contact Bar (for MacBooks which have a Contact Bar):
- Press
Shift + Command (⌘) + 6
. - This captures the contents of your Contact Bar, in case your MacBook has one.
- Press
By default, screenshots are saved to your desktop. The filename will begin with Display Shot adopted by the date and time the screenshot was taken.
How To Save Screenshots To A Totally different Folder
There’s no setting inside MacOS to pick a distinct default folder to avoid wasting your screenshots, however it’s doable through Terminal. In my case, I would like my screenshots mechanically saved in my downloads folder. You’ll be able to change the default location by taking the next steps:
- Open Terminal: You’ll find Terminal in your Functions below Utilities or seek for it utilizing Highlight.
- Enter the Command: As soon as Terminal is open, kind the next command, however don’t press Enter but:
defaults write com.apple.screencapture location
- Specify the Downloads Folder: Drag your Downloads folder into the Terminal window. It will mechanically enter the trail of your Downloads folder into the Terminal command.
- Full the Command: Press Enter to execute the command. Your command ought to now look one thing like this (although your username can be completely different):
defaults write com.apple.screencapture location /Customers/username/Downloads
- Apply the Adjustments: Restart the System Person Interface service in your Mac to take impact. Enter the next command in Terminal and press Enter:
killall SystemUIServer
After finishing these steps, your screenshots ought to mechanically be saved to your Downloads folder. Do not forget that this alteration will persist till you modify the screenshot save location once more utilizing the identical methodology.