What "copy screen" means and why you'd do it
Copying your screen means taking a picture of what you see on your Chromebook display right now — the open window, the web page, the error message, whatever is visible. That picture is called a screenshot. You can then save it as a file, paste it into an email or document, or share it with someone else.
You might take a screenshot to show a friend a funny conversation, send proof of a problem to tech support, save a recipe from a website before the page disappears, or keep a record of an online receipt. The screenshot captures exactly what you see at that moment.
Chromebooks have built-in tools to take screenshots — you do not need to read anything extra. The screenshot goes to a folder on your Chromebook called Downloads, and you can also paste it directly into Google Docs, Gmail, or other programs.
Key Takeaways
- Press Ctrl + Show Window (the key with four lines) to take a screenshot of your entire screen, or Ctrl + Shift + Show Window to select just part of it.
- Screenshots save automatically to your Downloads folder with a name like "Screenshot 2024-01-15 at 2.30.45 PM.png".
- You can paste a screenshot directly into Gmail, Google Docs, or Google Drive without saving it first by pressing Ctrl + V after taking it.
- The Show Window key is in the top row of your keyboard, usually between the search key and brightness controls.
How to take a full-screen screenshot
To capture everything on your screen at once, hold down Ctrl and press the Show Window key. The Show Window key looks like a rectangle with four lines inside it and sits in the top row of your keyboard, usually between the search key (magnifying glass) and the brightness keys.
When you press these keys, you will see a notification pop up in the bottom right corner of your screen that says "Screenshot saved." The screenshot is now saved to your Downloads folder. You can open the Files app (the folder icon in your taskbar) and click Downloads to see it, or you can paste it directly into an email or document without opening the file first.
How to take a partial screenshot
If you only want to capture part of your screen — maybe just one window or a specific section — hold down Ctrl + Shift and press the Show Window key. Your cursor will change to a crosshair, and the screen will dim slightly.
Click and drag to draw a box around the area you want to capture. When you release the mouse, that section is saved to your Downloads folder. This is useful when you want to hide sensitive information (like a password field or personal details) and only show the relevant part of the screen.
Where screenshots go and how to find them
Every screenshot you take automatically saves to your Downloads folder with a filename that includes the date and time, like "Screenshot 2024-01-15 at 2.30.45 PM.png". To open this folder, click the Files app (folder icon) in your taskbar at the bottom of the screen, then click Downloads on the left side.
From the Downloads folder, you can right-click any screenshot to rename it, delete it, or move it to another folder. You can also double-click a screenshot to open it in the image viewer and see it full-size.
How to paste a screenshot directly into an email or document
You do not have to save a screenshot to a file and then attach it. Right after you take a screenshot (using Ctrl + Show Window or Ctrl + Shift + Show Window), you can paste it directly into Gmail, Google Docs, Google Sheets, or any other program that accepts images.
Open the email or document where you want the screenshot to appear, click where you want to place it, and press Ctrl + V. The screenshot will appear when ready. This is faster than finding the file in your Downloads folder and is useful when you want to include a screenshot in a message without creating a separate file.
Troubleshooting: Screenshot did not save or the key does not work
If you pressed Ctrl + Show Window and nothing happened, check that you are using the correct key. The Show Window key is not the same as the Maximize or Minimize buttons — it is the key with four lines in a rectangle shape, located in the top row. On some Chromebooks, it may be labeled "Overview" instead.
If the screenshot still does not work, restart your Chromebook by clicking the time in the bottom right corner, then clicking the power icon and selecting Restart. After the restart, try taking a screenshot again. If screenshots are still not working, your Chromebook may need a software update — go to Settings (gear icon), click About ChromeOS on the left, and let it check for updates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take a screenshot of just one window instead of the whole screen?
The partial screenshot tool (Ctrl + Shift + Show Window) lets you select any rectangular area, including a single window. Draw a box around just the window you want to capture, and the rest of the screen will not be included in the screenshot.
What format is a screenshot saved in?
Screenshots save as PNG files, which is a standard image format that works on any computer or phone. PNG files preserve the image quality and are smaller in file size than some other formats, making them straightforward to email or upload.
Can I edit a screenshot after I take it?
Chromebooks do not have a built-in screenshot editor, but you can open a screenshot in Google Photos or use a free online image editor. You can also use Google Drawings (available in Google Drive) to add text, arrows, or boxes to highlight parts of the screenshot.
Where is the Show Window key on my keyboard?
The Show Window key is in the top row of your Chromebook keyboard, usually between the search key (magnifying glass) and the brightness control keys. It looks like a rectangle with four horizontal lines inside. On some older Chromebooks, it may say "Overview" instead of showing the icon.
Can I take a screenshot of something that is not currently visible on my screen?
No — a screenshot only captures what is actually displayed on your screen at that moment. If you need to capture something that requires scrolling, take multiple screenshots as you scroll down, or use the partial screenshot tool to capture each section separately.