How to Download Screenshots from Awesome Screenshot to Your Computer
Save an Awesome Screenshot capture to your computer, enable automatic downloads, choose a folder, and find the right fix if a file goes missing.
To save an Awesome Screenshot capture to your computer, click Download beside the screenshot after capture. For a Local capture, download it before closing its tab or window: Awesome Screenshot says it cannot retrieve an undownloaded Local capture after that window closes. For a Cloud capture, click Download to keep a local copy.
1. Download a Local capture
- Capture the page using Awesome Screenshot’s Local option.
- When the capture opens, click Download beside the screenshot.
- If your browser asks where to save the file, choose a folder and confirm.
- Wait for the browser’s download indicator or download list to show that the file finished saving.
Local captures need prompt attention: if you close the capture tab or window before downloading, the help center says the undownloaded capture cannot be retrieved. If you need another format or action, such as PDF, Copy, or Print, use the post-capture controls before closing the window.
2. Download a Cloud capture
After a Cloud capture, click Download beside the screenshot to save a copy on your computer. If you did not download it right away, sign in and look under My Items. Cloud captures are usually available there later if they have not been moved.
A Cloud capture and its downloaded copy are different things: the former is in your Awesome Screenshot account, while the latter is a file in your computer’s download location. Download a copy if you need to use the image in another app or keep it independently of the account item.
3. Turn on automatic downloads in Chrome or Edge
If you regularly capture to Local and do not want to click Download each time, the Awesome Screenshot extension for Chrome and Edge has an Auto-download screenshots option. It is off by default.
- Open the Awesome Screenshot extension’s Options.
- In the Local settings, enable Auto-download screenshots.
- When the browser asks for permission to Manage your downloads, click Allow.
- Capture a screenshot and check the browser’s download list to confirm it saved.
Auto-download is convenient, but it changes the post-capture workflow. With it on, the post-capture controls for Download, Copy, PDF, and Print are not shown as they are when it is off. If you need one of those controls, turn Auto-download off in the Local settings and capture again.
4. Save a screenshot as a PDF
The PDF control depends on where you captured the screenshot and whether automatic downloading is enabled.
- Local: After capture, click PDF beside the screenshot. Auto-download must be off for this control to appear. The help center says the default destination is Downloads and that you can choose another folder.
- Cloud: Click More beside the screenshot, then choose Download as PDF. The help center says the PDF goes to the computer’s default Downloads folder.
If PDF is missing from the Local post-capture view, check the Auto-download setting first. For Cloud, look for the PDF action under More, rather than the regular Download command.
5. Find the downloaded file or change its folder
Most often, the browser’s download location determines where the file goes. Check the browser’s downloads list to see the saved filename and open its containing folder. If the file is not there, check the browser’s configured download location.
For Local screenshots, Awesome Screenshot also allows an extension subfolder under Downloads. The browser’s download path is the base folder, and the extension subfolder is appended. For example, a browser location of D:\Test and an extension subfolder of Screenshots can result in D:\Test\Screenshots.
- Check the browser’s download location.
- Open Awesome Screenshot’s extension Options and check the Local screenshot subfolder setting.
- Combine the two settings to determine the full destination path.
- Save a new capture and confirm its location in the browser’s download list.
Browser and extension labels can vary by version. If the names differ, look for the browser’s download settings and the extension’s Local capture settings.
6. Troubleshoot missing or unexpected downloads
| Symptom | Likely cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| The Local capture disappeared after closing the window. | The capture was not downloaded before the window closed. | The help center says an undownloaded Local capture cannot be retrieved after its window closes. For future captures, download before closing or enable Auto-download. |
| The file is in a different folder than expected. | The browser download location and extension subfolder combine to form the destination. | Check both settings and inspect the browser’s download list for the actual file location. |
| The extension subfolder does not appear to be used. | The configured browser base folder may differ from the one you expected, or another extension may be interfering. | Confirm the browser path and Awesome Screenshot subfolder. If the issue continues, the help center suggests trying a new browser profile with only Awesome Screenshot installed to investigate a conflict. |
| PDF, Copy, or Print is missing after a Local capture. | Auto-download is enabled, which removes those post-capture controls. | Turn off Auto-download under the Local settings in Options, then capture again and use the visible PDF, Copy, or Print control. |
| A Cloud capture is no longer on the capture screen. | You need to retrieve the account item rather than the local file. | Sign in and check My Items. Cloud captures are usually available there if they have not been moved. |
| The downloaded image looks lower quality than its web preview. | The downloaded format or capture workflow may affect the result. | The Awesome Screenshot help center suggests copying and pasting the screenshot before clicking Done or Capture, or downloading as JPG or PDF instead of PNG. These are vendor suggestions; results can depend on the capture. |
7. Choose manual or automatic downloading
| Workflow | Best when | Tradeoff |
|---|---|---|
| Manual Download | You want to choose what to do after each capture, including using the available post-capture controls. | You must remember to download a Local capture before closing its window. |
| Auto-download | You capture to Local often and want each capture downloaded without an extra click. | It hides the post-capture controls, including PDF, until you disable it. |
| Cloud plus a local download | You want the capture in your account and a computer copy for immediate use. | You still need to download the local copy; later account retrieval depends on the item remaining in My Items. |
Or skip the browser setup
If you need screenshots from code rather than a browser extension, ScreenshotNeo is a website screenshot API. One GET request returns an image or PDF. See the ScreenshotNeo API documentation for the available options.
curl -G "https://api.screenshotneo.com/v1/shot" -d access_key=YOUR_API_KEY --data-urlencode url=https://stripe.com -o shot.webpimport requests
r = requests.get(
"https://api.screenshotneo.com/v1/shot",
params={"access_key": "YOUR_API_KEY", "url": "https://stripe.com"},
timeout=90,
)
r.raise_for_status()
open("shot.webp", "wb").write(r.content)const q = new URLSearchParams({ access_key: 'YOUR_API_KEY', url: 'https://stripe.com' });
const res = await fetch(`https://api.screenshotneo.com/v1/shot?${q}`);
if (!res.ok) throw new Error(`Screenshot request failed: ${res.status}`);
const image = Buffer.from(await res.arrayBuffer());
await (await import('node:fs/promises')).writeFile('shot.webp', image);ScreenshotNeo removes cookie banners, newsletter popups, and chat widgets before the shot. Bot checks, blank pages, and failed loads are never billed. Its MCP server lets AI agents take screenshots. The free plan includes 1,000 screenshots a month with no card; paid plans start at $5 for 3,000. Sign up for 1,000 free screenshots a month, with no card.
FAQ
Can I download a Local capture after closing its tab?
According to the Awesome Screenshot Help Center, an undownloaded Local capture cannot be retrieved after its capture window closes. Download it first or enable Auto-download for future captures.
Where do Cloud captures go if I do not download them right away?
Sign in and check My Items. Cloud captures are usually available there if they have not been moved.
Why did enabling Auto-download remove the PDF option?
Auto-download hides the Local post-capture controls, including PDF. Turn it off in the extension’s Local settings to show those controls after a new capture.
Does Download save the screenshot into Awesome Screenshot or onto my computer?
The Download command saves a local copy to your computer. A Cloud capture may also remain in My Items, subject to the item not being moved.
