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I need a Windows tool that can be configured to auto-start and auto-screenshot a window (ideally a certain window only).

It should not require any user interaction other than initial configuration. It should be capable of making a capture every few seconds and save it to disk.

This is for a legacy software running on a crammed-away desktop machine (don't ask…) whose main window displays the status of some equipment. This should be published to our Intranet in form of a screenshot so people do no longer need to remote into the machine every time they need to check the status the software displays.

Most of the screen shot tools/suites I've seen so far do not seem to be able to fulfill the main requirement: auto-start and don't ask any questions.

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Elite key logger can do most of this as well. – aking1012 Dec 16 '10 at 12:39
@aking1012: I'm not seeking to spy on anyone, and I have a strong suspicion my employer would disapprove of installing a keylogger on corporate hardware. – Tomalak Dec 16 '10 at 14:50
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Irfanview.com . It has a command line mode with switches that you could trigger from other app (or any script, vb application, even dos batch) , or launch directly. It has an automatic mode/screensaver like mode. It has an advanced capturing system allowing:

  • command line mode available
  • capture every x amount of seconds you set. (and can be triggered from command line mode)
  • capture per key stroke
  • include mouse cursor if wished
  • capture full desktop
  • capture only active windows
  • capture active windows only client area
  • capture custom rectangle region
  • capture per object clicked
  • scroll to capture off screen content
  • captured data go to irfanview screen, or direct to disk in the any of the many formats it has, and with the settings per format you wish. Possibility to use a special language of tags for naming.
  • very advanced batch processing with filters and editing operations.
  • much more.
  • it's freeware.

I am not affiliated with it in any way, just love the tool, is my main viewer/converter :)

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Okay. Works well enough with a scheduled task. Now here's the complication: I get a blank screenshot when the workstation is locked (naturally, when you think of it). I expect it that there is no way to capture a window when the machine is locked or the screensaver is active... Or is there? – Tomalak Dec 16 '10 at 14:43
Maybe an rdp session and disabling the screensaver, then screenshotting that or forcing a new remote login as a scheduled task do disable the screensaver? – aking1012 Dec 16 '10 at 14:53
@aking1012: Yeah, I've disabled the screen saver locally. I don't think there is a way to do screen captures on a locked machine. I can work with irfanview at that stage and it's enough for the purpose. – Tomalak Dec 16 '10 at 15:23
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