The fastest way: keyboard shortcut

Press Ctrl + Show Windows to capture your entire screen. The Show Windows key is the one that looks like a rectangle with lines — it sits where F5 normally is on a regular keyboard. Your screenshot saves automatically to your Downloads folder as a PNG file.

If you want to capture only part of your screen instead, press Ctrl + Shift + Show Windows. Your cursor will change to a crosshair. Click and drag to draw a box around the area you want, then release. That partial screenshot also saves to Downloads.

You will see a small notification in the bottom right corner of your screen when the capture is complete. Click that notification to open the file right away, or ignore it and find the screenshot later in your Downloads folder.

Key Takeaways

  • Ctrl + Show Windows captures your whole screen; Ctrl + Shift + Show Windows lets you select just part of it.
  • Screenshots save automatically to your Downloads folder with names like "Screenshot 2024-01-15 at 10.30.45.png".
  • The notification that appears after you capture lets you open the file when ready or share it without leaving your screen.
  • If your Chromebook has a different keyboard layout, the Show Windows key may be in a different spot — check your device manual if the shortcut does not work.

Finding your screenshots after you take them

Every screenshot lands in your Downloads folder. Click the Files app in your taskbar — it looks like a folder — then select Downloads from the left sidebar. Your screenshots appear there with the date and time in the filename, so the newest ones are easiest to spot.

From the Files app, you can right-click any screenshot to rename it, move it to another folder, or delete it. You can also double-click to open it in the image viewer, where you can zoom in or print it.

Sharing a screenshot without saving it first

After you take a screenshot, a notification appears in the bottom right corner. Click that notification and a small preview window opens. From there, you can click the pencil icon to edit the image, the copy icon to copy it to your clipboard, or the share icon to send it directly to Gmail, Google Drive, or another app.

If you close the notification without clicking it, the screenshot is still in your Downloads folder — you have not lost it. You can open it from Files at any time.

Editing a screenshot on your Chromebook

Click the notification that appears after you capture, then click the pencil icon in the preview window. A straightforward editor opens where you can draw, add text, highlight areas, or crop the image. When you are done, click Save and the edited version replaces the original in your Downloads folder.

If you want more powerful editing tools, you can open any screenshot in Google Photos or use a free web-based editor like Pixlr or Photopea. Upload your screenshot to either one and you will have access to layers, filters, and more detailed controls.

Troubleshooting when the shortcut does not work

If Ctrl + Show Windows does not capture your screen, check whether your Chromebook has a different keyboard layout. Some models use Search + Show Windows instead of Ctrl + Show Windows. The Search key is usually in the bottom left corner where Caps Lock would be on a regular keyboard.

If you are using an external keyboard connected to your Chromebook, the Show Windows key may not exist on that keyboard. In that case, open the Chrome menu (the three vertical dots in the top right), go to More Tools, then select Take a screenshot. A menu will appear letting you choose between capturing the whole screen or part of it.

On some older Chromebooks, the keyboard shortcut is Ctrl + F5 instead. If neither Ctrl + Show Windows nor Search + Show Windows works, try that combination.

Capturing video instead of a still image

If you need to record what is happening on your screen rather than capture a single moment, use the same menu: open the Chrome menu, go to More Tools, and select Take a screenshot. A panel appears on the right side of your screen. Click the video camera icon to start recording, then click Stop when you are done. The video saves to your Downloads folder as an MP4 file.

Screen recording on Chromebook captures everything — your mouse movements, clicks, and any audio playing through your speakers. The recording stops automatically if you do not manually stop it after 5 minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do my screenshots go?

All screenshots save to your Downloads folder automatically. Open the Files app and click Downloads in the left sidebar to find them. They are named with the date and time, so you can identify which one you took most recently.

Can I take a screenshot of just one window?

The keyboard shortcut captures either your whole screen or a rectangular area you draw. If you want only one window, use Ctrl + Shift + Show Windows to select a partial screenshot, then draw a box around just that window.

What if I want to edit my screenshot before saving it?

Click the notification that pops up after you capture, then click the pencil icon. A basic editor opens where you can draw, add text, highlight, or crop. Click Save when you are done and the edited version replaces the original.

Can I take a screenshot on an external keyboard?

External keyboards may not have a Show Windows key. Instead, open the Chrome menu (three dots in the top right), go to More Tools, and select Take a screenshot. A panel appears on the right side where you can capture your screen or record video.

Does the screenshot include sound?

Screenshots are still images, so they do not include sound. If you need to record both video and audio, use the screen recording feature instead: open the Chrome menu, go to More Tools, select Take a screenshot, then click the video camera icon.