Lightshot is a handy Google Chrome extension for taking screenshots effortlessly. It’s free, straightforward, and user-friendly.
With Lightshot, you can capture screenshots of any website or specific desktop areas, then edit and annotate them. Sharing is a breeze through short links.
Trust us, the built-in cropping tool is much easier to use when it’s limited to the browser.
What is Lightshot?
Lightshot is a handy, free tool that you can easily download to your computer for swiftly capturing screenshots.
Whether you’re a student, employee, or contractor needing to save crucial information from your screen, Lightshot offers a simple and quick solution. You can not only take screenshots but also effortlessly share, save, edit, and upload them to the cloud.
It’s perfect for those who prefer a speedy alternative to more complex applications. The software is compatible with Windows, Mac, Chrome, Firefox, IE, and Opera, but unfortunately, there’s no app for Android or iPhone screenshotting yet.
Once installed, using Lightshot is a breeze – just hit the print screen key, and the application will open automatically. Best of all, it won’t cost you a dime.
What is Lightshot used for?
Easily snap screenshots with Lightshot! Just hit a hotkey to open the app anytime. Save your pics in various ways or share them on social media.
Customize your screenshots by highlighting stuff or adding text for clarity. Whether you’re on a browser, Mac, or Windows, Lightshot is user-friendly for everyone.
How to Add Lightshot Extension For Chrome?
Lightshot is pretty handy for taking screenshots on your computer or in your browser. You can download it to use on Windows, Macs, Linux etc.
But they also have a Chrome extension that lets you capture screenshots specifically within your browser tabs. Which is great if you want to snip just part of a web page rather than your whole screen. The built-in cropping in the Chrome extension makes that super easy.
So if you find yourself wanting to screenshot stuff in Chrome a lot, I’d recommend getting the Lightshot extension.
It’ll save you time compared to screenshotting your whole screen and cropping after. Pretty nifty! Let me quickly walk you through how to add it in Chrome.
Add Lightshot via the Chrome Web Store
To add Lightshot to Chrome, just head to the Chrome Web Store and follow the steps:
- Visit the Google Web Store:
- Open Chrome Web Store.
- Use the search bar to find “lightshot” or visit the Lightshot page directly.
- Add Lightshot to Chrome:
- Click the “Add to Chrome” button located in the top right corner.
- Accept Permissions:
- When prompted by the browser for permissions, review the privacy policy.
- Click “Add extension” to proceed.
- Confirmation Notification: –
- Look for the “Lightshot added to Google Chrome” notification.
- Locate the Lightshot Icon:
- Check the top right corner for a new icon. If not visible, click the puzzle piece icon.
- Find the Lightshot icon and ensure it’s present.
- Start Screenshotting:
- Click the Lightshot icon or the corresponding menu entry.
- Capture and save your browser window locally or upload it, leading to a new tab opening for uploaded screenshots.
Use third-party app distribution platforms to install Lightshot
When you added the extension in the chrome web store, a Lightshot file quickly downloaded. Even though you won’t see it in your Downloads folder or Chrome’s download list, it’s there. These files are often collected by third-party websites and individuals.
Each file corresponds to specific extension versions, so if the previous method doesn’t work, consider finding these extensions.
To manually add Lightshot to Chrome:
- Download the Lightshot extension, which may be in ZIP, RAR, or .crx format.
- If it’s a ZIP or RAR file, extract it. If it’s a .crx file, it might look unfamiliar or have a folder icon.
- Open Chrome and go to chrome://extensions/ in the address bar.
- Click on “Load packed” and choose the file from step 1. Alternatively, drag the .crx file to the “Extensions” browser tab.
- Give it the necessary permissions, install it, and use it as shown.
Expect a notification to “Disable developer mode extensions” each time you restart Chrome, as you installed it outside the Chrome Web Store.
Just click Cancel to continue using Lightshot normally.
How to Take a Screenshot Using Lightshot
To open the program, just press Function + PrntScr/PrtSC on Windows or Command + 9 on a Mac. Your screen will go dark, and your mouse will turn into a selection tool.
Click and drag to choose the area you want to capture. The selected area will brighten up, giving you a preview. Options will pop up at the bottom and side for saving, copying, sharing, printing, searching similar images, or uploading to the cloud.
All screenshots save as JPG files, but you can also copy and paste them elsewhere. Printing opens your printer settings. Uploading to the cloud gives you a shareable link.
Lightshot also integrates with Google Images for similar search results. Edit your screenshot using the icons on the side before deciding what to do next.
Other Features of Lightshot
To make your screenshots clearer, you can easily enhance them by adding lines, arrows, freehand drawings, rectangles, or text for better readability.
While basic programs like Microsoft Paint allow editing, having these features readily available enhances the process. Use lines to emphasize elements, arrows to point out specifics (with customizable colors), and draw freehand with a fine-point pen or marker.
Lightshot defaults the marker color to yellow for easy highlighting. Add rectangles to frame content and use text to convey messages. However, note that text and other features come in one size, which might be limiting for larger screenshots. If you make a mistake, there’s an undo button, but be cautious as closing the screenshot means you can’t access it again.
FAQ’s:
Is Lightshot free or paid?
LightShot is available for free.
Can I trust Lightshot?
Lightshot doesn’t require logging in or accounts, so while it’s super quick and easy to use, your screenshots are public for anyone to see (not very secure).
Where is LightShot saved?
To save Lightshot screenshots, you can click the save icon or use Ctrl + S to save them to your Lightshot folder in Documents by default.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Lightshot emerges as a valuable and free solution for effortlessly capturing and editing screenshots.
Whether you’re a student, employee, or casual user, Lightshot’s simplicity and user-friendly interface make it a swift and efficient tool for capturing and sharing screen images.
The Chrome extension, specifically designed for browser tab screenshots, enhances its versatility. Adding Lightshot to Chrome is a seamless process through the Chrome Web Store, providing an easy-to-access tool for frequent users.
With additional features like annotation, cloud uploading, and easy editing, Lightshot proves to be a handy choice for those seeking a quick and straightforward screenshot solution.
So, if you often find yourself needing to capture content within your browser, consider adding the Lightshot extension to save both time and effort.