What Show screenshots instantly does in NotchStar
Show screenshots instantly is an optional NotchStar setting that turns off the macOS floating preview in the corner of the screen. With the preview off, macOS saves the screenshot straight away, so it reaches the Screenshot Tray the moment you take it instead of about five seconds later. If your screenshot preview in the corner has stopped appearing, this setting is the likely reason.
Why there is a wait
When the macOS preview is on, the screenshot floats in the corner for a few seconds so you can mark it up or drag it, and the file is saved afterwards. Apple describes this on its Screenshot pages. NotchStar can only show a file that exists, so it waits for macOS to save it.
How you get the setting
- The first time. After the first screenshot reaches the tray, NotchStar asks once whether to show screenshots instantly. The buttons are Turn On and Not Now. It does not ask again.
- Any time. Open NotchStar Settings, General, and use the Show screenshots instantly switch under Screenshots.
What it changes
It changes one macOS setting, the one behind Show Floating Thumbnail in the Screenshot app’s Options menu. It does not change where your screenshots are saved, their format or the shortcuts. NotchStar remembers your own value of that setting first so it can put it back.
What you give up
While it is on, you do not get the corner preview, and with it the quick Markup edit from that preview. If you use that often, leave the setting off and accept the short wait.
To undo it, read restore the macOS screenshot preview. The overview is on the Screenshot Tray page.
