Screenshot app won't remember my settings

When I make a screenshot, I want the image immediately saved to my desktop, without that annoying little five-second preview down in the right corner of the screen.

Luckily, there's a setting for just that: just remove the check mark for Show Floating Thumbnail.

But for some time now, the Screenshot app won't remember my chosen setting, the check mark keeps returning after every screenshot I make.

Is there a settings file somewhere that might be corrupt and can be deleted via Terminal?

MBP M3 Max 16", Sonoma 14.4

Posted on Mar 25, 2025 6:27 AM

27 replies

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PRP_53

Level 10

94,867 points

Mar 25, 2025 9:11 AM in response to 750 H2C

And so we are going in circles and never getting anywhere

OP wrote " Thanks, I just might upgrade to 14.7.4.

It maybe relevant If you do plan to update or upGrade

But if you do not backup

You run the risk you were alerted to Avoid

750 H2C Author

Level 1

72 points

Mar 25, 2025 9:30 AM in response to jeffreythefrog

jeffreythefrog wrote:

yes, I understand that. and I'm trying to explain to you that even though you are launching the app to select the "remember" function, once it is set within the app, it is supposed to work for "direct" screenshots as well when using "shift-command-4" to initiate the screenshot.

You're not correct about the "direct" way via keyboard combo. Please read Apple's support page about this (I posted the link above); every screenshot mode has its own key combination. Propeller-shift-4 always gives me either a selectable are or (with space bar) window.

750 H2C Author

Level 1

72 points

Mar 25, 2025 10:26 AM in response to jeffreythefrog

What options are that? There are specific key combos for specific modes. No options.

In the app, you can select modes A, B, C and D (and possibly more). The last-used mode is remembered for the next time you use the app.

Also, there are specific key combos for direct access to mode A, B, C and D. Propeller-shift-4 and space is for mode C. Other key combos give me A, B and D respectively.

Which mode was last used by the app is not relevant.

And it is also completely irrelevant to my question, which was about the floating preview.

Now we have used 90% of this thread to discuss this irrelevant feature of the app, and 5% to discuss backup solutions. Are there any relevant ideas out there?

Mar 26, 2025 10:41 AM in response to 750 H2C

If I understand correctly, the problem is that "Show Floating Thumbnail" setting is not sticking as you made it.

This solution ought to work:

1) In Terminal, paste the following line and press enter:

defaults delete com.apple.screencapture

2) Log out and back in (or restart your mac)

3) Adjust the settings (they will have reverted to their defaults), and if they stick

750 H2C Author

Level 1

72 points

Mar 25, 2025 6:42 AM in response to jeffreythefrog

I never use the app, I exclusively make "speed screenshots" of windows by using propeller-shift-4 and space. So that Remember last selection setting is not relevant. But yes, it's checked.