If you’ve recently migrated from Windows to Ubuntu, you probably miss the Win + Shift + S shortcut for quick area captures. In modern Ubuntu (GNOME 42+), the best way to achieve this is by reassigning native shortcuts instead of creating custom ones.
Why Reassign Instead of Creating New?
The GNOME Shell has a built-in interactive capture tool. By remapping the native settings, you avoid priority conflicts with the Super (Windows) key and ensure that your captures are sent to both the clipboard and your Pictures/Screenshots folder simultaneously.
Step-by-Step Configuration
- Open Settings > Keyboard.
- Click on View and Customize Shortcuts > Screenshots.
- Reassign the options to match the following workflow:
Optimized Workflow Configuration
| System Action | Shortcut Key | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Take a screenshot interactively | Super + Shift + S |
Opens the area selector (Just like Windows). |
| Record a screencast interactively | Print |
Uses the physical Print key to start screen recording. |
| Take a screenshot | Shift + Print |
Instantly captures the entire screen. |
| Take a screenshot of a window | Alt + Print |
Captures only the currently focused window. |
Note: When you set
Super + Shift + S, the system might show a conflict warning. Simply click Replace or Reassign to confirm the new mapping.
The Result
With this setup, you get the best of both worlds:
-
Productivity: Your muscle memory from
Win + Shift + Sstays intact for quick snips. -
Convenience: The isolated
PrintScreenkey becomes a quick trigger for recording videos (Screencasts), which is great for tutorials or bug reporting. - Native Stability: No need to install third-party apps that might fail or lag on the Wayland protocol.
Your screenshots will be automatically saved in Pictures/Screenshots and will also be ready to paste anywhere with Ctrl + V.
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