A system and method is provided for the operating system level management of screen content capture in a computing device. In response to invoking of screen capture functionality of the device, a screen capture user interface (UI) is generated. The screen capture UI provides for selection of a screen capture mode, including a screenshot mode providing for the capture of still image content, and a screen recording mode providing for the capture of moving image content, or video content, alone or together with audio content. The screen capture UI can also provide for the selection of a screen capture area, including selection of one of a full screen capture area, a tab or window screen capture area, or a custom screen capture area that can be set by the user.