Windows Auto-Screenshot

Windows Python program to make full-screen screenshots every 10 seconds for accountability purposes.

Use the executable

Go to https://github.com/SimonBaars/auto-screenshot-windows/releases/tag/1.0 and download the auto_screenshot.exe executable. Execute it and you can find the screenshots at Pictures/Screenshots.

For autostart:

• Press Win + R, enter:

  shell:startup
  

• Place a shortcut to auto_screenshot.exe here.

Notes

• All screenshots are saved in Pictures/Screenshots/YYYY/MM/DD/HH_MM_SS[_monitorX].png
• Duplicate consecutive screenshots (unchanged displays) are deleted automatically.
• Errors are logged to file; script resumes automatically.

Other versions

• XFCE (Linux): https://github.com/SimonBaars/xfce-auto-screenshot
• Android (Magisk): https://github.com/SimonBaars/magisk-auto-screenshot
• Android (APK): https://github.com/SimonBaars/Android-AutoScreenshot

Development instructions

Prerequisites

• Windows 10 or later (though it prob works on earlier Windows versions)
• Python 3.7+
• Install required packages:

  pip install pillow imagehash mss psutil
  

Installation

1. Save Script

   • Save the provided Python script as auto-screenshot.py in any folder.

2. Test Run

   • Execute the script:

     python auto-screenshot.py
     

   • Screenshots will appear under Pictures/Screenshots in a structured date/time format.

3. Convert to Executable (Optional)

   • For a standalone .exe (no Python install required):

     pip install pyinstaller
     pyinstaller --onefile --noconsole auto-screenshot.py
     

   • Resulting .exe will be in the dist folder.

Autostart Setup

Either method works:

1. Using Startup Folder

• Press Win + R, enter:

  shell:startup
  

• Place a shortcut to auto-screenshot.py or the packaged .exe here.

2. Task Scheduler

• Open Windows Task Scheduler.
• Create Basic Task:
  • Trigger: At logon
  • Action: Start Program
    • Program/script: Path to python.exe or your compiled .exe
    • Add arguments: auto-screenshot.py (if using .py)
    • Start in: Directory of your script