In this article, I’ll demonstrate how to take a screenshot on Windows 10 and how to use the Awesome Screenshot free browser extension to create and annotate screenshots.
Please be aware that the record function of Awesome Screenshot will not be addressed in this blog as it will only focus on the capture feature.
What is the Awesome Screenshot?
A free browser add-on called Awesome Screenshot enables users to take, record, annotate, and share images or screens. You can add the extension to Chrome, Firefox, or Microsoft Edge. With this browser extension, you may quickly and easily annotate your screenshot regardless of the OS you are using.
Why should you use Awesome Screenshot?
Without sign-in, you can:
- Capture – take screenshots easily including the full webpage without scrolling
- Annotate – add a visual to screenshot to troubleshoot and share issues with others
- Save – multiple saving options (Download/PDF/Print/Copy)
With sign-in, you can:
- Save – upload to get a shareable link
- Save – save to cloud storage (Google Drive/Dropbox/Box)
- Collaborate – connect with other services (Slack/Asana/Trello/Github/Jira)
Additionally, you can start enjoying the recording features when you sign in.
How to take a screenshot on Windows 10
Although the extension contains a screenshot feature, it is important to go over the fundamentals of taking screenshots in Windows 10.
Press [Windows]+[Shift]+[S] (This combination can be assigned to PrintScreen key)
Screens will become greyed out when you press the combination keys, allowing you to use your mouse to select the area you want to capture.
If you want to paste the screenshot, just press [Ctrl]+[V].
Go to Settings>Ease of Access>Keyboard>Print Screen shortcut>Use the PrtScn button to open screen snipping>On
By enabling this clipboard history, screenshots will be saved to the clipboard to use later.
Go to Settings>System>Clipboard>Clipboard history>On
Press [Windows]+[V]
A list of every screenshot will appear (To use it from the history, simply click an item from the list).
Restarting the computer clears the history. Before restarting your computer, save the screenshot or pin it if you wish to save it.
Difference between Chrome and Firefox version – Capture
There are modest variations between Chrome and Firefox in terms of what you can and cannot perform without signing in, depending on the browsers.
Chrome
Firefox
How to add the extension and annotate screenshots
You can take a screenshot using the standard Windows keyboard shortcut or utilizing the aforementioned capture features of Awesome Screenshot, which has the capability of taking the full page screen capture without scrolling.
Please take note that, for demonstration purposes, I will apply the extension to Chrome; but, as said earlier, you can choose to add it to Firefox or Edge instead, depending on your preferences.
- Step 1Add the Awesome Screenshot extension on Chrome
Go to Google and search for the Awesome Screenshot extension for Chrome. Once you find the page at the chrome web store, go ahead and click “Add to Chrome”. There will be a pop-up window asking to add or cancel. Select “Add extension”.
Awesome Screenshot – Add Extension [Click to View] After installing the extension for the first time, the browser might display the sign-in page; however, if you intend to use it only for screenshot and annotation purposes, you do not need to sign in.
You can choose to log in now or close the sign-in page. - Step 2Pin the extension to the toolbar
Once the extension is added, it will be shown in your toolbar. If you do not see the Awesome Screenshot in your extension toolbar, click the extension icon on the top right corner of your Chrome and look for the Awesome Screenshot. Then click “pin” to enable the extension to be displayed at all times.
Awesome Screenshot – Pin to toolbar [Click to View] - Step 3Open the extension and choose an image to annotate
Click the Awesome Screenshot icon on the browser, select the “Capture” tab then click “Annotate Local & Clipboard Image”.
Awesome Screenshot – Open extension to annotate [Click to View] The following options for opening an image will subsequently be shown to you:
- Drag and drop
- From local disk
- Paste from the clipboard
- Ctrl+V: if you are annotating the screenshot you just took, you can paste it by using this key combination
[Paste from the clipboard]: Hold [Windows]+[V] to get to your clipboard history. Make sure you enabled the clipboard history prior to using this option.
You can begin annotating once you’ve selected a picture.
Example of adding an arrow to the image – [Click to View] - Step 4Save your annotated screenshot
Click “Done” once you have finished annotating. The next step is for you to choose how you want to maintain your image. Simply choose download to save it to your local disk.
Note: You can also choose copy, PDF, or print. If you sign in, you can also save it to the cloud, upload it to get a shareable link and collaborate with teammates.
Awesome Screenshot – Saving options [Click to View]
Final thought
Awesome Screenshot is an amazing free browser extension in which you can quickly take screenshots and annotate for your own personal use or to add annotations to share with others with better visuals. It is an awesome extension to make your life easier and more productive at work.
Comments
Thank you for sharing this insightful article! I found the information really useful and thought-provoking. Your writing style is engaging, and it made the topic much easier to understand. Looking forward to reading more of your posts!