Request for help to stop automatic screen captures

[Daamu32 0]

Hello,
First, this issue is not related to ESET (or how it works) but I have not found a website with a solution to it, although I have found several people with the same "problem". And I would like to have one 😕 Because who wants screenshots of their computer being taken?
That said, I define the problem:
There is something, a process, application, driver... that takes screenshots of my desktop (of both screens) every indeterminate amount of time. It can go for days without taking screenshots or take several screenshots on the same day (and I turn on my computer every day). It saves them in the "Images\Screenshots" directory.

These screenshots do not follow the naming pattern of a Windows screenshot. The screenshots I take follow the naming pattern: "Screenshot [DATE] [TIME]". These screenshots take the name "Screenshot [Repeated name number (like (1), (2), (10)...)]. Today, it goes up to number 278. Moreover, it should be noted that I deleted them all some time ago. And I didn't start the count again, it went on until 161 (160 being the last one I deleted).
They are always, at least the ones I have checked, screenshots of the desktop, and of applications that are not full screen. If an application is in full screen, it appears in the taskbar, but the screenshot is still of the desktop (except in the case of screen number 1 in screenshot 226). Most of them have games running, but some of them have been taken with Word open, for example.

Does anyone have any idea what process is causing this? Is there any way to get what applications, processes... are accessing and adding content to the image directory?

I'm attaching some sample images

Thanks, in advance, for any help anyone can provide.

 

Edited July 3 by Daamu32

[itman 1,802]

Possibly related to Microsoft's new AI processing deployed via Recall feature of Copilot: https://www.pcgamer.com/software/windows/windows-ai-feature-takes-screenshots-of-your-desktop-every-few-seconds-and-i-cant-imagine-wanting-that/ .

 

Edited July 3 by itman

[Daamu32 0]

38 minutes ago, itman said:

Possibly related to Microsoft's new AI processing deployed via Recall feature of Copilot: https://www.pcgamer.com/software/windows/windows-ai-feature-takes-screenshots-of-your-desktop-every-few-seconds-and-i-cant-imagine-wanting-that/ .

 

It could be possible, but it has been going on for a few months now. I don't think Microsoft would hold me in such high esteem to give me their new features before anyone else hahah.

[itman 1,802]

22 minutes ago, Daamu32 said:

it has been going on for a few months now.

Refer to this: https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/is-there-anyway-to-stop-my-computer-from-taking/66411164-1c32-4239-8b57-801d43a7af3e

[Daamu32 0]

6 minutes ago, itman said:

Refer to this: https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/is-there-anyway-to-stop-my-computer-from-taking/66411164-1c32-4239-8b57-801d43a7af3e

I had already read it, as well as https://www.reddit.com/r/techsupport/comments/h11ja7/pc_takes_screenshots_by_itself_please_help/ , https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/how-to-stop-my-computer-from-taking-screenshots-on/f2c31006-c3c9-4f58-935a-39b085ac71d6?page=1 and other pages. I don't know, I'm a bit lost. 😔

[itman 1,802]

If you have a nVidia graphics card installed, did you check this out per the Reddit article you linked?

Quote

It's Shadowplay. There is a setting in GeForce experience/hud overlay that automatically takes screenies and captures 'highlights' of your game play. Disable it.

Ref.: https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/geforce/geforce-experience/shadowplay/

[Daamu32 0]

Yes, yes, I've had Shadowplay's capture of awesome moments turned off for a while now.

[TheStill 29]

Open the task manager and disable the automatic start-up of all applications except for the Microsoft ones. If the issue continues then you know it is related to a Microsoft service. If the issue disappears then turn each application on one at a time. Then perform a restart after each application is turned on until you find the offending app. 

[Daamu32 0]

OK, I will do that. As it doesn't happen with every switch-on, I'll leave a few days of leeway. Thanks for your input

 

[Daamu32 0]

Hello, sorry for the wait. I've been doing different tests and I've also had a holiday period. The screenshots have happened by going through these programs at startup (I didn't remove onedrive because I consider it a Microsoft service).

Everything is the search engine (plus the screenshots are being given long before installation) and DMT is is to facilitate the use of two screens.

[itman 1,802]

2 hours ago, Daamu32 said:

DMT is is to facilitate the use of two screens.

Assuming this is what is installed: https://dualmonitortool.sourceforge.net/ , it most likely is the source of your screen capture activity. It does have the capability to perform screen shapshots;

Quote

DMT - Snap

This is a module within DMT which allows you to take a snapshot of primary monitor and show it on the secondary monitor. Previous snapshots can be viewed, saved to a file or copied to the clipboard.

Since its open source software, you might have a hacked version, etc..

Edited July 20 by itman

[Daamu32 0]

56 minutes ago, itman said:

Since its open source software, you might have a hacked version, etc..

It sounds to me like I installed it from that page. Anyway, just to make sure, I'll uninstall it and try it for a few days. Thanks

[Daamu32 0]

Again, sorry for the late reply. However, even without the DMT app the results have been identical. Every few days, screenshots are taken. Is there no way to monitor which programs may be creating them? 
I'm thinking of making a C# script that runs every few days and deletes them (to avoid reaching 300 every two months). But I prefer to fix the problem at the root, not patch it. Thanks

[itman 1,802]

Check out this posting: https://www.reddit.com/r/techsupport/comments/1332do3/computer_taking_constant_screenshots/ . Of note;

Quote

Sounds like a stuck keyboard key to me. Check that the Print Screen button can move freely, tap it a few times. If that doesn't solve it, tap all the other control/function keys and ensure they move properly as well.

 

[Daamu32 0]

I have checked it and the keys work fine. I have Impr/pant and another one that works as a shortcut for WIN+Shift+S. Both work fine when I press them (plus the windows capture selection box appears when I press them and it doesn't take it directly). The other command is Nvidia's ALT+F1, but I only have it enabled for games (plus its save directory is different).

[Veremo 6]

You may try https://www.nirsoft.net/utils/file_activity_watch.html

In advanced options you may set interesting path to monitor.