Remove the shadow from Mac window screenshots

Capture app windows without the drop shadow.

macOSScreenshotdefaultsMedium risk

Run the command below. Window screenshots taken with ⌘⇧4 then Space now have no shadow. Use the undo command to restore it.

01Command

Command

$ defaults write com.apple.screencapture disable-shadow -bool true && killall SystemUIServer

02What it does

When you capture a single window (⌘⇧4, then Space), macOS adds a decorative drop shadow. The disable-shadow preference turns it off, which is ideal for documentation and support articles. Full-screen and region captures are unaffected.

03Risk

RiskMedium risk

CompatibilitymacOS 10.14 Mojave – 15 Sequoia

04Undo

Undo

$ defaults write com.apple.screencapture disable-shadow -bool false && killall SystemUIServer

05Sources

screencapture — take screenshots from the command line
SS64 · technical · 2025-11-12
Evidence: disable-shadow removes the window drop shadow in ⌘⇧4+Space window captures.

Last verified: 2025-11-12 · Category: System & Settings

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