Take a screenshot of a single window on your Mac

Why it happens

Shift-Command-4 on its own draws a box around part of the screen, so it picks up whatever is behind the window too. Pressing the space bar switches it to window mode, where the pointer becomes a small camera. Each window lights up as you move over it, and a click captures only that one.

How to fix it

1. Make sure the window you want is visible on screen, even if other windows are around it.

2. Press Shift-Command-4 together. The pointer turns into a crosshair.

3. Press the space bar once. The crosshair becomes a camera.

4. Move the camera over the window. When it turns light blue, click. The screenshot is saved to your Desktop unless you've picked another place.

5. Want it without the shadow? Hold Option as you click the window.

Still not fixed?

1. Prefer clicking? Press Shift-Command-5 and click Capture Selected Window in the toolbar, then click the window.

2. If you'd rather paste the window straight into a message or document, hold Control as you click. Then paste with Command-V.

3. Pressed the space bar by mistake? Press it again to go back to drawing a box, or press Escape to cancel.

4. If nothing happens when you press the keys, check the shortcuts are on. Open System Settings, click Keyboard, then Keyboard Shortcuts…, then Screenshots.

   Keyboard›Keyboard Shortcuts…›Screenshots

5. If Shift, Command or the space bar doesn't work in other apps either, the keyboard may be faulty. Try another keyboard, and for a MacBook's built-in keys contact Apple Support or a repair shop.