Download Jing – Screen Capture & Recording for Windows & Mac

Overview

Jing is a lightweight, free screencasting utility from TechSmith that lets you capture screenshots or short video clips without the hassle of complex settings. Although the premium version was retired in 2013, the core application remains fully functional for anyone who creates a free Screencast.com account. Once installed, a small translucent “sun” icon appears at the top edge of your screen, ready to summon a capture window in seconds. Jing’s strength lies in its simplicity: a single click opens an orange cross‑hair that lets you drag a rectangle around the area you want to record or snapshot, while a built‑in editor offers basic annotation tools like arrows, text, highlights, and frames. All captures are automatically uploaded to your personal Screencast.com album, giving you a shareable URL and up to 2 GB of free cloud storage. For users who need just a quick visual aid for tutorials, bug reports, or social media, Jing delivers a fast, secure, and completely free solution that works on both Windows and macOS platforms.

Key Features

• Instant Screen Capture: Drag‑and‑drop rectangle selection with live dimension read‑out.
• Basic Image Editing: Arrow, text, highlight, frame, and color tools appear in a side panel immediately after capture.
• 5‑Minute Video Recorder: Capture video with optional microphone audio, countdown timer, and pause/resume controls.
• One‑Click Cloud Upload: Automatic upload to Screencast.com provides a shareable link and 2 GB of free storage.
• Cross‑Platform Support: Native installers for Windows 7/8/10/11 and macOS 10.12 and later.
• Integration with TechSmith Suite: Seamless hand‑off to Snagit or Camtasia for advanced editing.
• Lightweight Interface: Small system‑tray icon, minimal CPU usage, and no background services.

Installation & Usage Instructions

Step‑by‑Step Installation

Downloading and installing Jing is straightforward. Follow these steps to get the tool up and running on your computer:

1. Visit the official Jing download page on TechSmith’s website.
2. Select the installer that matches your operating system (Windows or macOS) and click Download.
3. Run the installer file (.exe for Windows, .dmg for macOS) and follow the on‑screen prompts. The process typically takes less than two minutes.
4. When prompted, create a free Screencast.com account or sign in with an existing one. This account provides the cloud storage required for every capture.
5. After installation, the Jing “sun” icon appears at the top center of your screen. You can drag it to any edge or hide it via Preferences → “Show icon in system tray”.

How to Capture an Image

To take a screenshot, click the Jing icon or press the default hotkey Ctrl + Alt + Shift + C (Windows) / ⌘ + Shift + C (macOS). Your cursor turns into a large orange crosshair; drag to define the capture area. Once you release the mouse button, the background dims and four options appear at the bottom:

• Capture Image – Opens the built‑in editor where you can add arrows, text, highlights, and frames.
• Capture Video – Switches to video mode (see next section).
• Redo Selection – Lets you re‑draw the rectangle.
• Cancel – Aborts the operation.

After editing, you can rename the file, copy it to the clipboard, save locally, or click Share via Screencast.com to generate a public URL. The URL can be pasted directly into emails, chat, or documentation.

How to Record a Short Video

Video capture follows a similar workflow. Choose Capture Video after defining your area. Jing will prompt you to select an audio input device (default is system microphone). A three‑second countdown appears, then recording begins. The on‑screen controls include:

• Finish – Stops recording and opens the same editor used for images.
• Pause / Resume – Temporarily halts the capture without losing the current timeline.
• Mute – Silences the microphone for the remainder of the clip.
• Restart – Clears the current clip and starts a new recording.

Jing limits video length to five minutes and saves only in the .swf (Flash) format, which can be opened directly in browsers or converted later using TechSmith’s Camtasia. As with images, the video is automatically uploaded to Screencast.com, giving you an instant share link.

Compatibility, Pros & Cons

Supported Platforms: Windows 7, 8, 10, 11 (32‑bit & 64‑bit) and macOS 10.12 Sierra or later. Jing does not have native Linux or mobile versions, but the web‑based Screencast.com gallery can be accessed from any device.

Pros

• Completely free with no hidden fees.
• Simple, intuitive UI that requires virtually no learning curve.
• Instant cloud upload provides a permanent, shareable URL.
• Built‑in annotation tools cover most everyday screenshot needs.
• Lightweight footprint; runs silently in the background.
• Seamless hand‑off to Snagit or Camtasia for power users.

Cons

• Video recordings are capped at five minutes and saved only as .swf.
• Lacks advanced editing features such as transitions, multi‑track audio, or custom output formats.
• No native Linux or mobile support.
• Requires an internet connection for cloud upload; offline saving is limited to local copy.
• Interface feels dated compared with newer competitors.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Jing still actively supported by TechSmith?

Yes. Although the premium version was retired, TechSmith continues to maintain the free Jing executable, provide security updates, and keep the Screencast.com cloud service operational.

Can I use Jing without an internet connection?

Jing requires an internet connection to upload captures to Screencast.com. You can still save a local copy before uploading, but the shareable URL feature will not be available offline.

What audio sources does Jing support for video recording?

Jing can capture audio from any system‑recognized input device, such as a built‑in microphone, USB headset, or external line‑in source. You select the device the first time you start a video capture.

Is there a limit to how many screenshots I can store on Screencast.com?

Free accounts receive 2 GB of cloud storage, which typically accommodates thousands of screenshots. If you exceed this limit, you can either delete older files or upgrade to a paid plan.

Can I change the default hotkeys for Jing?

Yes. In the Preferences window, Jing allows you to customize the capture hotkey for both image and video modes, making it easier to fit the tool into your workflow.

Conclusion & Call to Action

For anyone who needs a fast, free, and secure way to capture screenshots or short video clips, Jing still holds its ground despite the rise of feature‑rich competitors. Its cloud‑first approach eliminates the need for manual file transfers, while the built‑in annotation tools cover the majority of everyday documentation tasks. If you’re looking for a lightweight solution that integrates seamlessly with TechSmith’s Snagit and Camtasia, Jing is an excellent starting point. Download Jing today, create your free Screencast.com account, and start sharing visual content in seconds.

Download Jing now and enjoy hassle‑free screen capture on Windows or macOS.