FastStone Capture- Overview
FastStone Capture is a compact yet powerful screen capture and screen recording tool. It lets you capture nearly anything on your screen windows, menu items, full screen, rectangular or freehand areas, scrolling pages, and more. It also includes an editor to annotate and fine-tune your captures.
The recorder can capture screen activity, microphone audio, mouse movements and clicks, and save them to compressed video files. After taking a capture you can send it straight to the built-in editor, save it to a file, copy it to the clipboard, print it, email it, insert it into Word or PowerPoint, or upload it to a web server.
FastStone’s editor offers annotation tools such as text, arrows, highlights, and shapes. You can also resize, crop, sharpen, watermark, and apply edge effects. Other helpful tools include scanning support, global hotkeys, automatic file naming, external editor support, a color picker, screen magnifier, crosshair, and a screen ruler.
The app supports many image formats (BMP, GIF, JPEG, PCX, PNG, TGA, TIFF, PDF). The recorder saves videos in Windows Media Video (WMV) format. You can configure output destinations, enable automatic borders or watermarks, and include mouse pointers in captures.
(If you’re interested in image editing apps, Adobe Photoshop CC is another option.)
Key Features
- Global hotkey support to instantly take screenshots.
- Send captured images by email.
- Insert screenshots into Word and PowerPoint.
- Option to run FastStone when Windows starts.
- Upload captures directly to a webserver via FTP.
- Screen color picker.
- Minimize to system tray.
- Screen magnifier for pixel-precise captures.
- Multi-monitor support.
- Crosshair and screen ruler utilities.
- Touch-friendly interface (tap, slide, pinch).
- Capture windows, objects, menus, full screen, rectangular or freehand areas, and scrolling windows/web pages.
- Capture multi-level menus and several windows or objects at once.
- Record screen activity (screen changes, microphone, mouse), saved as compressed WMV videos.
- Built-in video editor for annotations, zoom effects, and trimming.
- Convert recorded video into animated GIFs.
- Choose where each capture goes (internal editor, clipboard, file, printer).
- Draw annotation items: text, arrows, highlights, watermarks, rectangles, circles.
- Apply visual effects: shadows, frames, torn edges, fade edges.
- Add titles to images.
- Resize, crop, rotate, sharpen, brighten, and adjust colors.
- Undo/Redo support.
- Tabbed editing work on multiple screenshots at once.
- Support for external editors.
- Save in many image formats including BMP, GIF, JPEG, PCX, PNG, TGA, TIFF, and PDF.
- Scan images directly from a connected scanner.
- Convert images into multi-page PDF documents.
- Stitch images side-by-side to create a single file.
- Small memory footprint runs smoothly on modest systems.
License & Activation (Legal Way)
To use FastStone Capture legally:
- Download the installer from FastStone’s official website or an authorized distributor.
- Install the software following the on-screen prompts.
- Use the trial period to test all features. If you decide to keep it, purchase a license through the official site.
- After purchase, enter the license key provided by FastStone to activate the full version.
Buying the official license keeps your software up to date, ensures you receive support, and protects your system from unsafe or altered installers.
System Requirements
- Supported OS: Windows XP / Vista / 7 / 8 / 8.1 / 10 / 11.
- RAM: 1 GB minimum.
- Disk space: About 30 MB free.
- Processor: Intel (or compatible) modern dual-core or better recommended for smooth recording.
(If you need a download link, head to the official FastStone site to ensure you get the correct and safe installer.)
FastStone Capture Interface
FastStone Capture features a compact floating toolbar and a straightforward editor window. The interface is simple to navigate and puts core tools within easy reach so you can capture, edit, and save without hopping between menus.
How to Install and Activate (Safe Steps)
- Visit the official FastStone website.
- Download the latest installer for your Windows version.
- Close other programs and run the installer.
- Follow the setup prompts to complete installation.
- Launch FastStone Capture and try the trial features.
- If you like it, purchase a license from the official store and paste your activation code into the program when prompted.
Avoid downloading “modified” or unofficial installers these often contain malware and will risk your privacy and system stability.