How to Take a Screenshot on a Chromebook
To take a screenshot on a Chromebook, press Ctrl + Show Windows for a full-screen capture, Shift + Ctrl + Show Windows for a partial capture, or Ctrl + Alt + Show Windows for a window capture. The Show Windows key is in the top row of the keyboard and looks like a rectangle with two vertical lines on its right side. Screenshots are saved to the Downloads folder by default. Chromebooks also include a built-in Screen Capture tool for additional options, including screen recording.
This guide covers every method for taking screenshots on a Chromebook, plus how to edit, organize, and share your captures.
What Are the Keyboard Shortcuts for Chromebook Screenshots?
Keyboard shortcuts are the fastest way to capture your screen.
Full-screen screenshot: Press Ctrl + Show Windows simultaneously. This captures everything visible on your screen.
Partial screenshot: Press Shift + Ctrl + Show Windows. Your cursor changes to a crosshair. Click and drag to select the area you want to capture, then release to take the screenshot.
Window screenshot: Press Ctrl + Alt + Show Windows. Click on the specific window you want to capture.
Some newer Chromebook models include a dedicated Screenshot key — a small circle within a square icon on the top row. If your Chromebook has this key, pressing it opens the Screen Capture toolbar directly.
Using an external keyboard
If your external keyboard does not have a Show Windows key, replace it with F5 in any of the shortcuts above. For example, a full-screen screenshot becomes Ctrl + F5, and a partial screenshot becomes Shift + Ctrl + F5.
How Do You Use the Screen Capture Tool?
The built-in Screen Capture tool provides more control than keyboard shortcuts alone, including the ability to switch between screenshots and screen recordings.
- Click the time in the bottom-right corner of your screen to open the Quick Settings panel
- Select the Screen Capture icon (it looks like a camera)
- A toolbar appears at the bottom of the screen with three capture mode options: full screen, partial, and window
- Select your preferred mode and capture your screen
- To switch to video recording, toggle from the camera icon to the video icon in the toolbar
You can also open the Screen Capture toolbar directly by pressing Shift + Ctrl + Show Windows.
How Do You Take a Screenshot in Tablet Mode?
If your Chromebook is in tablet mode or does not have a keyboard attached, press the Power button + Volume Down button simultaneously. This works the same way as taking a screenshot on most Android devices.
You can also access the Screen Capture tool through Quick Settings by tapping the time in the bottom-right corner and selecting Screen Capture.
Where Are Screenshots Saved?
By default, screenshots and screen recordings are saved to the Downloads folder. To find them, open the Files app and select Downloads or Images. ChromeOS labels each screenshot with the date and time it was captured.
You can also access recent screenshots from the Tote area on your shelf — a quick-access panel that displays your most recently downloaded or captured files.
Changing the save location
- Open the Screen Capture toolbar (Shift + Ctrl + Show Windows)
- Click the Settings gear icon in the toolbar
- Select Change save location (or Select folder)
- Choose your preferred folder, including Google Drive if you want cloud-based access
How Do You Edit Screenshots on a Chromebook?
After taking a screenshot, a notification thumbnail appears in the bottom-right corner of the screen. Click it to open the screenshot in the built-in Gallery app, where you can crop and rotate the image, rescale it, adjust lighting (exposure, contrast, and saturation), and annotate with text or drawing tools.
For more advanced editing, you can use web-based tools or Android apps from the Google Play Store.
How Do You Record Your Screen on a Chromebook?
The Screen Capture tool supports video recording in addition to screenshots.
- Open the Screen Capture toolbar (Shift + Ctrl + Show Windows, or through Quick Settings)
- Switch from the camera icon to the video icon in the toolbar
- Choose full screen, partial, or window recording
- Click the Record button. A countdown gives you a moment to prepare
- When finished, click the Stop button that appears on the shelf
Screen recordings are saved to the same folder as screenshots. You can enable or disable microphone audio through the toolbar settings — useful for narrating tutorials or keeping recordings silent.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I take a screenshot on a Chromebook without a keyboard?
In tablet mode, press the Power + Volume Down buttons simultaneously. You can also use the Screen Capture tool from the Quick Settings panel by tapping the time in the bottom-right corner.
Can I take a scrolling screenshot on a Chromebook?
ChromeOS does not have a built-in scrolling screenshot feature. To capture content that extends beyond the visible screen, you will need a third-party Chrome extension.
Can I take a screenshot in Incognito mode?
Yes. All screenshot methods — keyboard shortcuts, Screen Capture tool, and tablet mode — work in Incognito mode.
Can I take a screenshot of the login or lock screen?
No. ChromeOS does not allow screenshots of the login or lock screen for security reasons.
Why are my screenshots blurry?
Make sure your display resolution is set correctly in Settings > Device > Displays. Avoid zooming in on the page before capturing, as this reduces image sharpness. For detailed captures, use the partial screenshot tool to focus on a specific area.
What if my screenshot shortcuts are not working?
First, verify that your keyboard is functioning correctly. Then check that ChromeOS is up to date (Settings > About ChromeOS > Check for updates). If shortcuts still do not work, use the Screen Capture tool from Quick Settings as an alternative.
How do I share a screenshot quickly?
After taking a screenshot, click the notification thumbnail that appears. From the Gallery app, use the Share button to send the image via email, messaging apps, or social media. You can also upload screenshots to Google Drive from the Files app for easy sharing across devices.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Screenshots not saving: Check your available storage space in the Files app. If your Chromebook is nearly full, free up space or change the save location to Google Drive. Restarting the device can also resolve temporary issues.
Screen Capture tool not appearing: Make sure ChromeOS is updated to the latest version. The Screen Capture toolbar requires a relatively recent version of ChromeOS.
External keyboard shortcuts not working: Replace the Show Windows key with F5 in all shortcuts. If that does not work, check your keyboard mapping in Settings > Device > Keyboard.
