How to Take a Scrolling Screenshot in Windows

Capturing a scrolling screenshot can be incredibly useful, especially when you need to capture an entire webpage, document, or any content that extends beyond the visible screen. Windows users have several options for capturing scrolling screenshots, including both free and paid software. In this article, we'll guide you through the steps of taking scrolling screenshots using ShareX, PicPick, and FastStone Capture.

1. Free Scrolling Screenshot Software in Windows

ShareX

ShareX is a free and open-source tool known for its versatility and extensive features. For scrolling screenshots, it allows users to modify the scrolling speed and customize the screenshot area.

Steps to Take a Long Screenshot Using ShareX:

1. Downloading and installing the ShareX software from the official website.

2. Launch ShareX, hover your mouse over the "Capture" option, and select "Scrolling Capture" from the submenu.

3. Choose the area you want to capture by dragging the mouse over the desired region.

4. ShareX will automatically scroll and capture the content. The process will stop when the end of the content is reached or if an error occurs.

5. Once the capture is complete, review the screenshot and select "Upload/Save" to save the image.

Tips for Using ShareX:

Adding a Hotkey for Scrolling Capture:

a. Click the "Hotkey settings" option in the left panel.

b. Select Add > Screen capture > Start/Stop scrolling capture in the "Hotkey settings" window, then assign a key combination to the "Start/Stop scrolling capture" function.

Adjusting the Scrolling Speed:

1. Select "Scrolling Capture".

2. Right-click anywhere to open the "Scrolling Capture" window.

3. Choose Options, then change the value of "Scroll amount" to adjust the scrolling speed.

Note: The higher the value, the faster it will be.

Opening Screenshot in an Image Editor:

After capturing a screenshot, you can set ShareX to automatically open the image in an editor for further modifications.

Click "After capture tasks", and select "Open in Image Editor" option in the submenu.

PicPick

PicPick is another free tool for personal use, offering various features for scrolling screenshots. It allows users to manually stop the scrolling screenshot and customize the capture area.

Steps to Take a Long Screenshot Using PicPick:

1. Download and install PicPick from the official website.

2. Locate PicPick in the Windows system tray, right-click on the icon, move the mouse to "Screen Capture," and select "Scrolling Window."

3. Choose the area you want to capture by dragging the mouse over the desired region.

4. PicPick will automatically scroll and capture the content. To stop the capture early, press the ESC key.

5. The screenshot will automatically open in PicPick's image editor, where you can make any necessary edits before saving.

2. Paid Scrolling Screenshot Software in Windows

FastStone Capture

FastStone Capture is a paid software with a 30-day trial period. It offers manual stopping of scrolling screenshots and customizable capture areas.

Steps to Take a Long Screenshot Using FastStone Capture:

1. Download and install FastStone Capture from the official website.

2. Open the software and click on the "Capture Scrolling Window" icon on the toolbar.

3. Choose the area you want to capture by holding down the Ctrl key to customize the region.

4. Click the left mouse button to begin the capture. Press ESC to stop the capture manually, or wait for the scroll to reach the bottom.

5. Once the capture is complete, the image editor will open automatically. FastStone offers extensive annotation features for further editing.

Tip: You can move the toolbar to the top of the screen to hide it. Additionally, you can customize its display style by going to Settings > Toolbar and clicking the three-dot button next to the "Auto-hide toolbar when dragged to top of screen" option.

3. Summary

Below is a comparison table summarizing the key features of ShareX, PicPick, and FastStone Capture:

	ShareX	PickPick	FastStone Capture
Cost	Free and open-source	Free for personal users	Paid (30-day trial)
Last Update	2024-05-09	2024-02-23	2024-07-10
Installer Size	39.1 MB	71.7 MB	8.57 MB
Portable Version Available	√	√	√
Manual Stop Screenshot	×	√	√
Delay Capture Supported	√	√	√

Capturing scrolling screenshots on Windows is straightforward with the right tools. Whether you choose a free option like ShareX or PicPick, or opt for a paid solution like FastStone Capture, each software provides unique features to meet your needs.