The fastest way: Ctrl + Show Windows

On a Chromebook, press Ctrl + Show Windows to capture your entire screen at once. The Show Windows key is the one that looks like a rectangle with lines — it sits where the F5 key would be on a regular keyboard. Your screenshot saves automatically to the Downloads folder as a PNG file with a timestamp in the filename.

You will see a notification pop up in the bottom right corner confirming the screenshot was taken. Click that notification to open the file right away, or ignore it and find the file later in your Downloads folder when you are ready to use it. The notification stays visible for a few seconds before disappearing.

Key Takeaways

  • Press Ctrl + Show Windows (the rectangle key) to capture your whole screen, and the file saves automatically to Downloads as a PNG.
  • Press Ctrl + Shift + Show Windows to select just part of your screen instead of the whole thing by dragging a rectangle.
  • Screenshots save with a timestamp in the filename, so each one has a unique name like "Screenshot 2024-01-15 at 2.30.45 PM.png".
  • You can open a screenshot when ready from the notification to edit it, or find it later in your Downloads folder.
  • If you have an external monitor connected, move your cursor to the screen you want to capture before pressing the shortcut.

Capturing only part of your screen

If you only need to capture a portion of your screen — a single window, a paragraph, or a specific area — press Ctrl + Shift + Show Windows instead. Your cursor will change to a crosshair, and you can click and drag to draw a rectangle around the part you want to capture.

Release the mouse button when you have the area selected. The partial screenshot saves to Downloads the same way a full screenshot does, with its own timestamped filename. This method is faster than capturing the whole screen and cropping it afterward.

Finding and using your screenshots

All screenshots land in your Downloads folder by default. Open the Files app (the folder icon in your taskbar), then click Downloads on the left side. Your screenshots appear as PNG files with names like "Screenshot 2024-01-15 at 2.30.45 PM.png" — the timestamp tells you exactly when you took each one.

From the Files app, you can right-click any screenshot to open it with an image viewer, edit it, share it, or move it to a different folder. You can also drag screenshots directly into emails, documents, or messaging apps without opening them first. Double-clicking a screenshot opens it in your default image viewer.

Editing screenshots before you save them

When you take a screenshot, a notification appears in the bottom right corner for a few seconds. Click that notification to open the screenshot in a straightforward editor where you can crop, draw, highlight, or blur parts of the image before saving it permanently. This built-in editor is useful if you want to mark something up or remove sensitive information right away.

If you miss the notification window, you can still edit the screenshot later by opening it from the Downloads folder and using the built-in image tools. However, the when ready edit window is faster if you want to mark something up right away. The editor closes automatically when you save or discard your changes.

Screenshots on external monitors

If you have plugged an external monitor into your Chromebook, Ctrl + Show Windows captures only what is on your Chromebook's built-in screen, not the external monitor. To capture the external monitor instead, move your cursor to that screen first, then press Ctrl + Show Windows. The screenshot will capture whichever display your cursor is currently on.

If you need to capture both screens at once, take two separate screenshots — one with your cursor on each display. You can then combine them in an image editor if needed, or keep them as separate files depending on what you are using them for.

Troubleshooting when screenshots do not work

If Ctrl + Show Windows does not capture anything, check whether your Chromebook is in tablet mode. Some Chromebooks can flip into a tablet layout where the keyboard shortcuts change. Flip it back to laptop mode (or use the on-screen keyboard if you are in tablet mode) and try again.

If the Show Windows key does not respond at all, restart your Chromebook. Press the power button, wait for it to shut down completely, then turn it back on. After restart, the keyboard shortcuts should work normally. If problems continue after a restart, check that your keyboard is not physically damaged or disconnected.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I take a screenshot of just one window?

Yes — use Ctrl + Shift + Show Windows and drag a rectangle around the single window you want to capture. This is faster than capturing the whole screen and cropping it later.

Where do screenshots go if I do not have a Downloads folder?

Every Chromebook has a Downloads folder by default. Open the Files app and look on the left side — Downloads is always there. If you cannot find it, your Chromebook may need a restart.

Can I change where screenshots save?

Screenshots always save to Downloads on a standard Chromebook. You can move them to other folders afterward using the Files app, but you cannot change the default save location in settings.

What if I need to screenshot something that requires scrolling?

Chromebook screenshots capture only what is visible on screen at that moment. If you need to capture a long webpage or document, take multiple screenshots as you scroll, or use the browser's built-in print-to-PDF feature to save the whole page.

Do screenshots include my password or sensitive information?

Screenshots capture exactly what you see on screen, including passwords or personal information if they are visible. Be careful what is displayed before you take a screenshot, and delete screenshots containing sensitive data when you no longer need them.