Flameshot

ApplicationFlameshot

Also called flame shot, flameshot-org

FlameshotSystem

An annotated-screenshot tool that is more common on Linux. A Windows build exists. The process is flameshot.exe. It is not ShareX.

What you need to know

Flameshot is a Linux-common annotator with a Windows build. It is not ShareX.

Flameshot annotates screenshots. It is more common on Linux. A Windows flameshot.exe exists from flameshot.org. ShareX is the usual Windows-first suite. Snipping Tool is in-box.

What is it?: An annotated screenshot tool
Linux only?: No. A Windows build exists
Same as ShareX?: No. ShareX is the Windows-first suite

Feex says

If you already know Flameshot from Linux, the Windows build is the same annotator. If you only live on Windows and want power features, I would pick ShareX from getsharex.com.

What is Flameshot?

flameshot.exe is the Windows binary of the Flameshot project. ShareX.exe is a different Windows-first suite. Linux packages named flameshot are the same project, not a second vendor.

If you have never used it

If a Linux guide said Flameshot, the same project ships a Windows build. Download it from flameshot.org or the GitHub releases they link. flameshot.exe annotates a region. It is not ShareX, not Lightshot, and not Snipping Tool. On Windows it is the extra you install, not an in-box app.

What is it used for?

Region capture with in-place pins and arrows

The annotator is the point. ShareX adds more destinations and scrolling capture.

Keep the same tool on Linux and Windows

That dual-OS habit is why people install this on Windows. Lightshot is Windows/mac-oriented, not this project.

Local save and clipboard

Configure upload only if you want it. Lightshot's prntscr default is a different caution.

Who is it for?

People who already use Flameshot on Linux
Windows users who were sent a flameshot.org link
Anyone comparing this to ShareX on Windows

Current status

Flameshot (2017) is a current screenshot annotator from Flameshot. The vendor still points Windows users at https://flameshot.org/.

How old is it?

Flameshot started in 2017 and became a default-ish Linux screenshot tool on many distros. The Windows port exists so the same annotator works here. ShareX (2007 lineage) is the more common Windows power tool.

Versions

Major channels first. Exact build numbers are not all verified here.

Windows release

Linux packages (same project, different OS)

System requirements

Values follow the publisher's public guidance. Workload still changes the real need.

Minimum

Minimum system requirements
Operating system	Windows 10 or Windows 11, per current Flameshot Windows releases
RAM	Enough for Windows plus this app. Heavy projects want more.

Resource profile

CPU demand: Low for a still snip
RAM demand: A small capture window

Installed processes

These executables belong to this product when it is installed.

Installed processes
flameshot.exe	Windows capture window

Startup components

Flameshot can start with Windows so the hotkey works. Turn that off if you already have ShareX in the tray.

File locations

Common Flameshot locations
Typical install	C:\Program Files\Flameshot\

File formats

PNGJPEGothers the project documents

Common problems

People look for a Linux-only package on Windows

Use the Windows release from flameshot.org or GitHub. apt is not how you install this on Windows.

Hotkey fights with Snipping Tool or ShareX

One hook owns Print Screen. Change Flameshot's shortcut. This is not ShareX's hotkey page.

Getting unstuck

Download the Windows build from flameshot.org or GitHub releases

ShareX is getsharex.com if you wanted the Windows-first suite. Snipping Tool is already installed.

Set a Windows hotkey in Flameshot config. Do not follow a Linux gnome-shortcut guide

Those steps are for Linux. This is a Windows article.

If the overlay will not appear, quit other capture tools first

ShareX, Greenshot, and Lightshot all hook Print Screen. Flameshot needs a free key.

Alternatives

ShareX for Windows power capture. Greenshot for a simple annotator. Snipping Tool for in-box snips. Lightshot if you were sent prntscr.

Official help and downloads

Start with the vendor. Random exe sites are not a support channel.

Official contacts
Download	flameshot.org/ Official installer or vendor page
Help	flameshot.org/docs/ Vendor support
Official site	flameshot.org/ Start here, not a random exe host

Related hardware

A display to capture. The Windows build is still a screenshot tool, not a GPU bench.

Technical details

Vendor version numbers change. This article does not pin a build.

Sources and verification

Reviewed by Feex editorial. Last verified August 2026 Status: Feex Reviewed. How we research.

Flameshot official site · Vendor product page
Flameshot help · Vendor support
Flameshot GitHub · Releases including Windows
Foxhole process map · First-party samples on Windows PCs. Not a lab benchmark.

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