My Computer Tips was launched in 2015 and provides information for common tasks in various Linux distributions and other computer related subjects.

My Computer tips has over 290 tutorials and tips.

• Home
• About My Computer Tips
• Computer Parts For Sale (UK Only)
• Privacy
• Affiliate Disclosure
• Latest Tips & Tutorials
• Featured Tips & Tutorials
• Most Popular Tips & Tutorials
• Recently Viewed
• Recently Updated Tips & Tutorials
• All Tips & Tutorials

If you found the information on My Computer Tips useful, please consider sharing our site details.

ID: 295

Category: Ubuntu Mate

Added: 8th of December 2021

Views: 2,792

The default screen capture application on Ubuntu Mate is mate screenshot. When you press Print Screen on the keyboard, mate screenshot automatically captures an image of the complete desktop.



Instead of capturing the complete desktop, I wanted mate screenshot to only capture the active window but also provide a delay of 4 seconds giving me time to select the active window with the mouse pointer when the Print Screen button is pressed on the keyboard.

If you are using a different Linux distribution, the same procedure should work for you. You just need to access your own keybindings manager and also access the help pages for your default screenshot application.

Open your terminal and enter following command below to launch mate keybinding properties

Next click the Add button at the bottom of the window. The Custom Shortcut window will open



In the Name box enter
Print Active Window

In the Command box enter
mate-screenshot -w --delay=4

Then click Apply



The Print Active Window will now be created under custom shortcuts. The shortcut will also show Disabled



Click on the Print Active Window keybinding, the shortcut will change from Disabled to New shortcut



At this point the system will be waiting for user input, so click the Print Screen button on your keyboard.

You will then be notified that the shortcut is already being used, so just click Reassign.



Your new keybinding for Print Active Screen will now be active. The default Print Keybinding will now be disabled.



If you ever need to return to the default keybinding, just remove the Print Active Screen keybinding that you set up.

Linux Forums

Arch Linux Forums

Fedora Forums

Linux Mint Forums

Linux Questions Forum

Ubuntu Forums

Linux Gaming

Gaming on Linux

ProtonDB

Steam Download

Other Linux / Computer Sites

Big Box Collection

Phoronix

OMG Ubuntu

Other Sites / Shopping

Computer Parts For Sale (UK Only)

Buy Google Play Vouchers (UK Only)

Amazon (UK Only)

Ubuntu 25.10 Released With GNOME 49, Linux 6.17 & Other Upgrades - Phoronix
Published: October 9, 2025, 9:55 am

Amazon Ditches Android — Launches 'Linux-Based' Vega OS for Fire TV - It's FOSS News
Published: October 7, 2025, 2:40 pm

Linux Kernel ksmbd Filesystem Vulnerability Exploited - PoC Released - Cyber Security News
Published: October 9, 2025, 8:05 am

System76’s Oryx Pro Is the First Linux Laptop to Ship with the COSMIC Desktop - 9to5Linux
Published: October 8, 2025, 3:33 pm

Microsoft's Local Accounts Crackdown Is Yet Another Reason to Switch to Linux - How-To Geek
Published: October 9, 2025, 11:30 am

Linux Seeing First LED Driver Written In Rust - Phoronix
Published: October 9, 2025, 6:06 pm

Ubuntu 25.10 "Questing Quokka" arrives with GNOME 49 and Linux 6.17 in tow - Notebookcheck
Published: October 9, 2025, 2:57 pm

Linux Driver Support Ready For Intel Panther Lake's NPU 5 - Phoronix
Published: October 9, 2025, 7:49 pm

Intel's Lead Engineer For Linux Performance Monitoring Is Leaving The Company - Phoronix
Published: October 9, 2025, 9:58 pm

KVM Virtualization Sees Several Exciting Improvements For AMD & Intel In Linux 6.18 - Phoronix
Published: October 8, 2025, 10:23 am