When Google Picasa is running it will intercept any screenshots you take and automatically save them in C:\Users\<username>\Pictures\Picasa\Screen Captures folder.

Google Picasa - Screenshot Saved

There doesn't seem to be any UI setting that would disable this often unwanted feature. Luckily there is a workaround. All you need to do is remove access to this folder from all users and groups (even yourself). Once this is done, Picasa won't have access to this folder and will not save any screenshots anymore.

Right click on the Screen Captures folder, go to Security tab, click Advanced, then click Disable inheritance button and select Remove all inherited permissions from this object when prompted. Save the changes and you should be all set. The Security tab now should look like this:

Google Picasa - Screen Captures folder Properties

If you try to open the Screen Captures folder you will get the following prompt:

You don't currently have permissions to access this folder

Do not click Continue! If you do this Windows will automatically give you access to the folder which in turn will allow Picasa to save screenshots again.

Windows 10 Pro
Google Picasa 3.9

2 comments

  • Why would you want to do this, automatically saving screencaps as JPG's is eminently better that pasting into a word.doc? Instant empirical evidence/record of anything at a fingertip? I've just upgraded from 7 to 11 and Picasa isn't picking up anything, because effing Microsoft have somehow blocked it, it's driving me mad! It doesn't show .gif extensions automatically either, so you forget what's in a folder if it's not showing in Picasa . . . It's like Microsoft no-longer support people using laptops or desktops for actual work, aiming everything at idiots on the twitface beebosphear with dumbphones!

    • Who said anything about pasting into Word? People have various screenshot processing workflows and any software overtaking important system functionality without an option to opt-out is not cool.

      I think you should redirect some of your anger to Google 🙂. It's them, not Microsoft who abandoned Picasa development 7 years ago...

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