If you’re looking for a reliable, lightweight yet full-featured screenshot and screen recording tool, FastStone Capture is a standout choice. Designed mainly for Windows users, it combines flexible capture modes, built-in editing & annotation, and conversion/export capabilities (including PDF and animated GIFs). Whether you’re creating tutorials, capturing long web pages, or simply taking quick screen grabs, FastStone Capture offers a powerful workflow for maximum productivity.
Table of Contents
FastStone Capture Screen Capture Features
Following are the main features of FastStone Capture:
✅ Flexible Screenshot Capture
Capture windows, objects, menus, full screen, rectangular/freehand/fixed-region selections, and even scrolling windows/web pages. PCWorld+3faststone.org+3documentation.help+3
You can capture multiple windows or menus at once and combine or export them. PCWorld+1
🎥 Screen Recording with Audio
Record onscreen activity with microphone and/or speaker audio, mouse movements and clicks, and webcam overlay (depending on settings) into compressed video files (MP4, WMV). faststone.org+1 The built-in video editor allows you to make cuts, zoom effects, and convert to animated GIFs. documentation.help+1
✏️ Built-in Editor & Annotation Tools
After capture, the editor allows annotations like text, arrow-lines, highlights, watermarks, shapes (circles/rectangles), blur, captioning, effects like drop-shadow, torn-edge, fade-edge, etc. documentation.help+1 You can also resize, crop, rotate, sharpen, adjust brightness & contrast. documentation.help
📄 File Conversion & Export (Images, PDF, GIF)
This tool supports exporting screenshots to many formats (BMP, GIF, JPEG, PCX, PNG, TGA, TIFF, WEBP and PDF) as well as converting images to a multi-page PDF. documentation.help+1 For videos, you can convert to GIF or trim and export to MP4/WMV. neowin.net+1 This makes it very good for documentation or sharing crafted content.
☁️ Sharing & Output Destinations
You can send captures directly to editor, file, clipboard, printer, email, Microsoft Word/Excel/PowerPoint, or upload to FTP/web server. documentation.help+1 Auto-save templates and output naming are supported as well. imagingtips.com
⌨️ Customizable Hotkeys
Global hotkeys let you activate capture modes instantly. You can customize keys, set auto-start on boot, minimize to tray, etc. faststone.org+1
🔍 Additional Tools (Magnifier, Ruler, Color Picker)
FastStone also includes tools like a screen color picker, screen magnifier, crosshair, screen focus, screen ruler, making it useful for precise capture & design work. faststone.org+1
🖥️ Multi-Monitor & High-DPI Support
Works across multiple monitors, supports high-DPI/4K displays and touch interface (tap/swipe) in newer versions. documentation.help
Getting Started with FastStone Capture
You can use the following simple steps to get started.
1️⃣ Download and Install
Visit the official website of FastStone Soft and download the latest version of FastStone Capture for Windows. faststone.org+1 Run the installer and follow the setup instructions.
2️⃣ Configure Preferences
Click the FastStone Capture icon in the system tray (or run the application).
Go to Settings / Preferences to:
- Set default save format (PNG, JPG, PDF, etc)
- Customize the capture hotkeys
- Choose output destination (editor, clipboard, file, email, etc)
- Set auto-save template and file naming conventions imagingtips.com+1
3️⃣ Capture Your First Screenshot
Use one of the capture options:
- Full Screen capture
- Active Window capture
- Region or freehand selection
- Scrolling window capture (for web pages/documents)
Select the mode, press the hotkey or click the toolbar icon, drag/select as needed. faststone.org+1
4️⃣ Edit & Annotate
After capture, the built-in editor opens. Here you can:
- Add arrows, text boxes, highlights or blur sensitive parts.
- Crop, resize, rotate, sharpen, adjust brightness/contrast.
- Add special effects like torn-edge, drop-shadow, frame. documentation.help
5️⃣ Save, Convert or Share
When you’re done editing:
- Save As your preferred format (PNG, JPG, TIFF, PDF).
- Or convert images into a multi-page PDF. documentation.help
- For videos: trim, adjust quality, convert to GIF or export to MP4/WMV. neowin.net
- Or upload/share directly: email, FTP, print, send to Word/Excel/PowerPoint. faststone.org
6️⃣ Record Screen Video (Optional)
If you need a video tutorial:
- Choose the “Record Screen” mode from the toolbar.
- Select area or full screen, enable audio/microphone/webcam as needed.
- Start recording, stop when done – then edit, cut unwanted parts, add zoom effects, save or convert. documentation.help
How to Take a Screenshot Using FastStone Capture
Here’s a quick walk-through:
1️⃣ Open FastStone Capture
Click the tray icon or open from Start menu.
2️⃣ Choose a Capture Mode
Decide what you need: full screen, active window, region, scrolling window. Select accordingly.
3️⃣ Edit & Annotate (Optional)
If you want to add clarifications, arrows, blur areas, open the editor automatically.
4️⃣ Save or Export Your Screenshot
- Choose “Save As” and pick format (PNG, JPG, TIFF, PDF, etc).
- If you want a document, convert to PDF.
- If video, convert or export as MP4/GIF.
- Or copy to clipboard and paste into documents/emails.
FastStone Capture Context Menu: Quick Access to Essential Features
When you right-click the FastStone tray icon or use the toolbar, you’ll get quick access to the following:
📸 Capture Options
- Capture Region / Window / Full Screen
- Capture Scrolling Window
- Capture Freehand or Fixed-size Region
🎥 Screen Recording
- Start Screen Recording
- Enable/disable Microphone, Speakers, Webcam
- Convert recorded video to GIF or export to MP4/WMV
✏️ Edit & Annotate
- Open the Editor
- Add Text, Arrows, Highlights, Blur
- Crop, Resize, Rotate
📄 Convert & Export
- Save screenshot as Image or PDF
- Combine multiple images into one PDF
- Export video or convert to GIF
☁️ Sharing & Output Options
- Send to File / Clipboard / Printer
- Email directly
- Send to Word/Excel/PowerPoint
- Upload via FTP or Web
⚙️ Preferences & Settings
- Change Hotkeys
- Set Output Folder & File Naming
- Configure Auto-Save
- Choose Output Formats & Quality
- Enable Auto-Start or Minimize to Tray
Conclusion
FastStone Capture is a versatile tool that brings together screenshot capture, screen recording, editing, annotation, and conversion/export features in one lightweight package. Whether you’re crafting tutorials, documenting workflows, or simply saving and sharing images, it covers a wide range of needs.
Given its strong conversion support (image → PDF, video → GIF), it’s especially useful for anyone wanting more than “just a screenshot”.