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Screenshots captured on a Mac are typically saved to the desktop by default. However, it’s worth noting that users have the flexibility to choose where screenshots are saved. Here are the steps to change the default location for saving screenshots on a Mac:
1. Click on the "Finder" icon in the Dock, located at the bottom of the screen.
2. From the menu bar at the top of the screen, click on "Go" and then select "Go to Folder."
3. In the dialog box that appears, type or paste the following path: ~/Library/Preferences.
4. Press the "Go" button or hit the "Return" key.
5. Look for a file named "com.apple.screencapture.plist" and double-click it to open it with a preferred text editor.
6. Within the file, you’ll find a line of code similar to this:
7. Modify the "~/Desktop" path to the desired location where you want screenshots to be saved (e.g., ~/Pictures/Screenshots).
8. Save the changes made to the file and close the text editor.
9. Finally, restart your Mac for the changes to take effect.
After following these steps, any future screenshots will be saved in the newly specified location rather than the desktop. Remember that you can always return to the default setting by either changing the path back to "~/Desktop" or deleting the "com.apple.screencapture.plist" file.
Video Tutorial:Why are my Screenshots not appearing on my desktop Mac?
How do I recover deleted Apple screenshots?
Recovering deleted Apple screenshots can be done by following a few steps. Here’s a guide to help you retrieve those screenshots on your Apple device:
1. Check the Recently Deleted album: Apple devices have a separate album called "Recently Deleted" where deleted photos and screenshots are temporarily stored. Open the Photos app on your iPhone or iPad, tap on the "Albums" tab, and look for the "Recently Deleted" album. Check if your deleted screenshots are present there. If they are, select the desired screenshots and tap on the "Recover" button to restore them to your main photo library.
2. iCloud Photo Library: If you have the iCloud Photo Library enabled, your deleted screenshots might still be available in the "Recently Deleted" folder on iCloud. Visit iCloud.com on your computer and sign in with your Apple ID. Click on the "Photos" app, select "Albums" on the left sidebar, and then choose "Recently Deleted." Similar to step 1, select the screenshots you want to recover and click on the "Recover" button.
3. Restore from a backup: If you have regular backups of your device, there’s a chance that your deleted screenshots are backed up as well. You can restore your device from a previous backup using iTunes on a computer (Mac or PC) or using the built-in iCloud backup feature. However, keep in mind that restoring your device from a backup will replace all existing data on your device with the backed-up data, so proceed with caution.
4. Third-party data recovery apps: If the above methods don’t work, you can explore third-party data recovery apps specifically designed to recover deleted photos and screenshots on Apple devices. These apps scan your device’s memory and attempt to retrieve deleted files. However, be sure to use a reputable app from a trusted developer to avoid any potential security or privacy risks.
Remember, the sooner you try to recover the deleted screenshots, the higher the chance of successful recovery. It’s also important to regularly back up your device’s data to prevent permanent loss of files.
How do I automatically delete screenshots on Mac?
As a tech blogger, I can provide you with a professional point of view on how to automatically delete screenshots on Mac. Here are the steps you can follow:
1. Open Spotlight Search: You can access Spotlight by clicking on the magnifying glass icon at the top right corner of your Mac’s menu bar or by pressing Command + Spacebar.
2. Type "Automator" and open the Automator app: Automator is a built-in application on macOS that allows you to create custom workflows and automate tasks.
3. Choose "Application" when prompted to select a document type.
4. Explore the library and add actions: On the left side of the Automator window, you’ll find various categories of actions. Look for "Files & Folders" and click on it to expand. Then, drag and drop the "Get Specified Finder Items" action into the workflow area on the right.
5. Add the folder containing your screenshots: Click on the "+" button within the "Get Specified Finder Items" action to add the folder where your screenshots are saved.
6. Add another action: Search for "Filter Finder Items" in the library and drag it into the workflow area below the previous action.
7. Configure the "Filter Finder Items" action: In this action, select "If" from the drop-down menu and choose "Kind" from the first drop-down list. Then, select "Image" from the second drop-down list.
8. Add the "Move Finder Items to Trash" action: Search for "Move Finder Items to Trash" using the library search bar and add this action below the previous one.
9. Save the workflow as an application: Go to File > Save on the Automator menu, name your application (e.g., "Delete Screenshots"), and save it in a convenient location.
10. Run the application: Double-click on the saved application to execute it. It will automatically move your screenshots to the Trash.
By following these steps, you can create an application that will automatically delete screenshots on your Mac, making it convenient and time-saving. Remember to review the folder path you set in the workflow regularly to ensure it targets the correct location where your screenshots are saved.
Why can’t I find my screenshots?
Finding screenshots on your device can sometimes be confusing or challenging, especially if you’re not familiar with the file management system on your specific platform. Here are a few reasons why you might not be able to find your screenshots and some steps to help you locate them:
1. Check the default screenshot saving location: Different operating systems and devices have default folders where screenshots are saved. For example, on iPhones running iOS 14 or later, screenshots are saved in the Photos app’s "Screenshots" album by default. On Android devices, screenshots are typically stored in the "Pictures" or "Screenshots" folder in the device’s internal storage or SD card.
2. Look for a designated screenshot folder: Some devices and file managers have a dedicated folder specifically for storing screenshots. Check if your device has a folder named "Screenshots" or any similar variant. Use the built-in file manager or a third-party file explorer app to navigate through your device’s file system.
3. Use a file search function: If you’re unable to find your screenshots in the commonly known folders, you can use the built-in search function on your device. Search for files with names like "Screenshot" or files with the extension ".png" or ".jpg," which are the common file formats for screenshots.
4. Check if screenshots are saved in cloud storage: If you have cloud storage services like Google Drive, iCloud, or Dropbox enabled, it’s possible that your screenshots are being saved there instead of your device’s internal storage. Open the respective cloud storage app or website and check if your screenshots are available in the synced folders.
5. Review any third-party apps or settings: If you have recently installed or updated an app on your device, it’s worth checking if there are any specific settings within the app that might control where screenshots are saved. Some apps offer options to save screenshots to custom folders or within their own dedicated sections.
6. Ensure you’re capturing screenshots: It may sound obvious, but double-check that you’re actually taking screenshots correctly. On most devices, pressing specific buttons or using gestures triggers the screenshot function. Refer to your device’s manual or search online for the exact method to take screenshots on your specific device model and operating system version.
Remember, these steps may vary depending on your device, operating system version, or any customizations you might have made. It’s always a good idea to consult your device’s user manual or seek support from the manufacturer’s website or community forums for further assistance.
How to save Screenshots on Mac?
Saving screenshots on a Mac is a relatively simple process that can be done using a few different methods. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to save screenshots on a Mac:
1. Using Keyboard Shortcuts:
– Capture the entire screen: Press Command + Shift + 3. The screenshot will be saved as a PNG file on your desktop.
– Capture a specific portion of the screen: Press Command + Shift + 4. Your cursor will turn into a crosshair. Click and drag to select the desired area. Release the mouse button to take the screenshot. It will be saved as a PNG file on your desktop.
– Capture a specific window: Press Command + Shift + 4 + Space bar. Your cursor will turn into a camera icon. Move the camera over the desired window and click on it. The screenshot will be saved as a PNG file on your desktop.
2. Using the Screenshot Tool in macOS Mojave (or newer versions):
– Press Command + Shift + 5 to open the Screenshot Tool. A control panel will appear at the bottom of the screen.
– Choose the desired capture option from the available choices: Capture Entire Screen, Capture Selected Window, or Capture Selected Portion.
– Once the screenshot is captured, it will be displayed as a thumbnail in the bottom-right corner of the screen. Hover over the thumbnail to access options like saving, editing, or sharing the screenshot.
3. Using the Grab Utility:
– Launch the Grab utility by navigating to Applications -> Utilities -> Grab.
– In the Grab menu, choose the desired capture option: Selection, Window, Screen, or Timed Screen.
– Follow the on-screen prompts to capture the screenshot. The Grab utility provides additional features like capturing a specific color or the screen’s pointer.
Remember, these methods may slightly vary depending on your macOS version, but the provided steps should work for macOS Mojave or newer versions. With these options, you can easily save screenshots on your Mac without any hassle.
Where do I find my Screenshots on my laptop?
To find your screenshots on your laptop, you can follow these steps based on a Windows operating system:
1. Open the File Explorer: You can do this by either clicking on the folder icon on your taskbar or pressing the Windows key + E on your keyboard.
2. Navigate to the Pictures folder: In the left-hand sidebar of the File Explorer window, you should see a list of default folders, including "Pictures." Click on it to open the folder.
3. Find the Screenshots folder: Within the Pictures folder, look for a subfolder called "Screenshots." It’s where the screenshots taken on your laptop are usually saved.
4. Open the Screenshots folder: Double-click on the Screenshots folder to open it and view your screenshots.
5. Sort or search for specific screenshots: If you have numerous screenshots, you can use the sorting options at the top of the window to arrange them by date, size, or other properties. Additionally, you can use the search bar at the top-right corner of the File Explorer window to search for specific screenshot filenames or keywords.
Please note that the steps may vary slightly depending on the specific version of Windows or any customization you have made to your system.