Screenshots are images taken by specialized software applications for capturing visible items (such as icons, open windows or running programs) displayed on the computer screen.
People can use screenshots when they want to create tutorials, to illustrate a specific error or to show the uses of a certain utility.
Also, they can be used to monitor (in a stealth mode, usually) the activity performed on the computer.
Screenshot makers will enable users to choose the capture mode (typically, they range between fixed size, active window or freehand region) and the output file format (BMP, PNG, JPEG or other graphic extensions).