Hotshots

Hotshots is a small-sized application written in Java which basically replaces the PrintScreen function in Windows, enabling you to take screenshots by drawing rectangular regions. It can be seamlessly handled by all types of users, even those with little or no experience in snapshot tools.

Runs in the systray

Once fired up, the app gets integrated into the taskbar notifications area and silently runs there while letting you carry on with your normal PC activity without any interruptions.

Draw rectangular regions to capture images

After pressing the PrintScreen button, it displays a small magnification window that follows your mouse cursor to help you accurately draw a rectangular region.
The image is captured as soon as you release the mouse left button. Afterward, a message appears on the center of the screen to let you know the contents are stored in the Clipboard, so it's possible to paste them in an image editor. There are no other notable options available here.

No setup required, besides Java

The entire program's wrapped in a single executable .jar file that can be copied to a custom directory on the hard disk or stored on a removable storage unit, in order to easily launch it on any PC with Java. It doesn't need any other components to run, add new entries to your system registry, or create files on the HDD without asking for your permission. A simple file deletion is enough to get rid of it.

Evaluation and conclusion

The software application worked smoothly in our testing, without triggering the operating system to hang, crash or prompt error messages. CPU and RAM consumption was minimal, so it didn't hamper the computer's performance. Thanks to its clear-cut options, Hotshots can be tackled by anyone looking to grab the screen by drawing rectangular regions.