Screen Capture using CMD-Shift-4 Not Working Properly (Bug)

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Level 1

11 points

Screen Capture using CMD-Shift-4 Not Working Properly (Bug)

Has anyone else noticed that with the 11.5, 11.6 iOS updates that their partial screen capture (screen grab, screen shot) isn't working properly.

Generally what happens for me is instead of the actual partial screen capture using CMD-Shift-4, I get a Finder window that opens, but no screen capture. I have to click "Cancel" and then use the CMD-Shift-4 a 2nd time in order for me to complete the action. The Finder window remains an issue and opens again.

Are there any fixes for this? I use this function very often, almost daily or more and I'd really love to make it stop and work the way it did prior to the most recent updates. Thanks!

iMac 27″, macOS 11.6

Posted on Oct 19, 2021 2:54 PM

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Answer 1

Old Toad

Level 10

210,545 points

Oct 19, 2021 4:06 PM in response to dcoup

Boot into Safe Mode according to Start up your Mac in safe mode - Apple Support and test to see if the problem persists. Reboot normally and test again.

NOTE: Safe Mode boot can take up to 3 - 5 minutes as it's doing the following;

• Verifies your startup disk and attempts to repair directory issues, if needed

• Loads only required kernel extensions (prevents 3rd party kernel/extensions from loading)

• Prevents Startup Items and Login Items from opening automatically

• Disables user-installed fonts

• Deletes font caches, kernel cache, and other system cache files

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Answer 2

dialabrain

Level 10

125,111 points

Oct 19, 2021 5:02 PM in response to dcoup

dcoup wrote:

Options (checked):

Save to: Preview

• Timer: None

• Show Floating Thumbnail

• Remember Last Selection

You're welcome. I see what is apparently going on. First, you have Screenshot set to always open Preview. That's fine if that's what you want. However, an Open File window is opening because you have Preview set to iCloud Drive. Uncheck System Preferences > Apple ID > iCloud > iCloud Drive > Options… > Preview.

That should fix it.

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Answer 3

dialabrain

Level 10

125,111 points

Oct 19, 2021 5:02 PM in response to dialabrain

Correction. That is not a Finder window that opens. It's an "Open File" dialog window.

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Answer 4

dialabrain

Level 10

125,111 points

Oct 19, 2021 3:07 PM in response to dcoup

FWIW, I've had every developer and release version of Big Sur since Jun 2020 and command shift 4 has never opened a Finder window. Nor has anyone mentioned it. When you press command shift 5, what options do you have set?

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Answer 5

dcoup Author

Level 1

11 points

Oct 20, 2021 9:11 AM in response to dialabrain

Thank you! I tested your solution to uncheck the Preview from iCloud and it looks good! Much appreciated.

I guess my next question to you about the solution is what does that really change? Are there things that option was doing for me that I will no longer have access to? I don't understand the ultimate value of having preview items in iCloud unless I am interested in seeing PDFs/files that I have open on my iMac visible to me on my iPhone? Otherwise, I feel like I'm missing the point of having Preview in iCloud.

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Answer 6

Oct 20, 2021 11:03 AM in response to dcoup

I am coming a bit late to this party, but I can offer another piece of information: this Open dialog only appears if Preview is not already running.

Since I do lots of screenshots, and I have then set to open with Preview, I simply keep Preview running and no problem.

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Answer 7

dcoup Author

Level 1

11 points

Oct 21, 2021 8:00 AM in response to Luis Sequeira1

Thank you Luis,

I unchecked Preview in iCloud and it works with or without Preview running.

Then I unchecked Preview in iCloud and it works with or without Preview running. I can't make sense of that unless I'm supposed to reboot altogether to see the differences.

Thank you dialabrain! Much appreciated for your help.

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