ShareX: Beautify screenshots without an extra app

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ShareX has been released in version 20.0.2 and brings, among other things, a native ARM64 build for Windows-on-ARM devices and a new image editor based on Avalonia UI. In addition, there are 18 annotation tools, a new “Background Beautifier”, 232 image effects, and various detailed improvements to uploaders, OpenAI integration, and region capture. In return, the MEGA uploader, the option for your own AI provider, and the previous blob emojis are removed.

ShareX is an open-source tool for screenshots, screen recordings, and file uploads on Windows. The project has its roots in ZScreen, started in 2007, and is under the GPL and is under the GPLv3. Its functionality extends far beyond classic screenshot tools: ShareX offers OCR, QR code generation and recognition, image annotations, hotkey workflows, and over 80 upload destinations, including Imgur, FTP, Amazon S3, and any own server via Custom Uploader. The target audience includes power users, developers, IT support, and content creators.

Native ARM64 variant via the Microsoft Store

For the first time, ShareX is available in a version compiled natively for ARM64. This version is provided via the Microsoft Store. On devices with Snapdragon X or other Copilot+ PCs, x64 emulation via Prism is no longer necessary, which is intended to increase performance and reduce battery drain.

The new image editor marks the biggest functional leap. It replaces the previous WinForms implementation and uses Avalonia UI, an open-source .NET UI framework for cross-platform interfaces, which many developers consider a modern successor to WPF and WinForms. Those who don't get along with the new interface can reactivate the old editor in the settings via “Use legacy image editor”.

The new editor bundles 18 annotation tools with keyboard shortcuts, including Smart Eraser (W), Magnify (M), Spotlight (S), Cut Out (U), and an Emoji tool (J) with support for Microsoft's 3D Fluent Emojis. Classics like Rectangle, Ellipse, Line, Arrow, Freehand, Text, Speech Bubble, Step Marker, Highlight, Blur, Pixelate, and Crop are also directly accessible via key.

Background Beautifier and 232 Image Effects

The new editor also includes a “Background Beautifier”, similar to what you might know from Pika or Recraft. It adds borders, padding, rounded corners, shadows, a fixed aspect ratio, and a selectable background to screenshots – optionally as a gradient, color, transparent, image, or current wallpaper. This allows screenshots to be prepared for social media posts or documentation without needing an additional tool.

The effect library includes 232 filters and editing options, divided into 35 manipulations, 32 adjustments, 149 filters, and 16 drawings. The new editor offers the following keyboard shortcuts, among others: Ctrl+Z and Ctrl+Y for Undo and Redo, Ctrl+X, C, V, and D for Cut, Copy, Paste, and Duplicate, and Home, End, Page Up, and Page Down for layer order. The editor can be customized via “Task Settings Tools Image Editor,” for example, regarding system theme and accent color, window state, automatic closing after task completion, automatic copying to the clipboard, or zoom-to-fit when opening.

PrivateBin New, MEGA Removed

There are also changes to the upload services. PrivateBin has been added as a text uploader – an open-source pastebin clone that encrypts content in the sender's browser and is primarily used in security-sensitive environments. In return, the MEGA uploader is being removed because the underlying library is no longer maintained.

The developers have expanded the OpenAI integration. A new “Load models” button automatically queries available models and populates the selection list. Additionally, there is an option “OpenAI Legacy AI Provider” for local deployments with an OpenAI-compatible API. The previous option for a Custom AI Provider has been removed as the OpenAI provider fulfills the same purpose. SFTP uploads are also faster.

Detailed Improvements for Capture and Workflows

Further detailed improvements have been made to region capture and workflows. The crosshair can now be switched off during region selection, and ShareX filters out non-activatable tool windows during window detection – floating toolbars in Photoshop no longer mistakenly appear as capture targets. The After-Capture Tasks now also include the option “Copy folder path to clipboard”. The Hash checker displays the result directly with a green checkmark or a red cross, and the freehand tools draw cleaner lines thanks to smoothing and curve interpolation.

Outside of this, the project has removed the previous blob emojis and now consistently uses Microsoft's 3D Fluent Emojis. The complete changelog is available on the project page, and the source code is on GitHub.

(fo)