How to Take Screenshots and Record Video in Chrome

Chrome has two built-in tools for capturing your screen

Chrome includes a screenshot tool and a screen recording tool that work without installing anything extra. The screenshot tool captures a still image of what you see on your screen right now. The screen recording tool captures video and audio of everything you do for as long as you let it run. Both tools save files to your computer automatically.

You reach both tools through the same menu. On Windows, press Ctrl + Shift + S to open the screenshot tool. On Mac, press Shift + Command + S. If you want to record video instead of taking a still image, press Ctrl + Shift + R on Windows or Shift + Command + R on Mac.

Key Takeaways

Press Ctrl + Shift + S (Windows) or Shift + Command + S (Mac) to take a screenshot without leaving Chrome.
Press Ctrl + Shift + R (Windows) or Shift + Command + R (Mac) to record video of your screen and audio from your microphone.
Screenshots save as image files to your Downloads folder; recordings save as video files in the same location.
You can select which part of your screen to capture, or record your entire display or just one window.

Taking a screenshot in Chrome

When you press the screenshot shortcut, a menu appears at the top of your screen with four options. The first option, labeled with a rectangle, captures a region you select by clicking and dragging. The second option, labeled with a full rectangle, captures your entire screen. The third option captures just the active window. The fourth option, a circle with a dot, lets you record video instead.

After you choose an option and make your selection, Chrome shows you a preview of what you captured. You can click the checkmark to save it, or click the X to discard it. If you click the checkmark, the file saves as a PNG image to your Downloads folder with a name like "Screenshot 2024-01-15 at 2.30.45 PM.png". You can then open it in any image viewer or editor on your computer.

Recording video of your screen

When you press the video recording shortcut, the same menu appears. Click the circle icon (the fourth option) to start recording. A small control panel appears in the corner of your screen showing a red dot and a timer. Everything you do on your screen gets recorded, including mouse movements, clicks, and any audio from your microphone if you have one connected.

To stop recording, click the red dot in the control panel or press Ctrl + Shift + R again (Windows) or Shift + Command + R again (Mac). Chrome saves the video as a WebM file to your Downloads folder with a name like "Screenrecording 2024-01-15 at 2.30.45 PM.webm". You can play this file in most video players, or convert it to another format using free tools if needed.

Choosing what part of your screen to capture

The region selection option lets you draw a box around only the part of the screen you want. After pressing the screenshot shortcut and clicking the rectangle icon, your cursor changes to a crosshair. Click at one corner of the area you want to capture and drag to the opposite corner. As you drag, you see a preview of the box you are drawing.

If you make a mistake, you can adjust the box before saving. Small handles appear at the corners and edges of your selection. Click and drag any handle to resize the box. When the selection looks right, click the checkmark to save it as an image file.

Recording just one window instead of your whole screen

If you want to record only one window — for example, just a document or a single process — use the third option in the menu (the single window icon). Click it, then click the window you want to record. Chrome records only that window, so if you switch to a different window or minimize it, the recording stops.

This is useful when you are recording a tutorial or demonstration and do not want to show other open windows or your desktop. The video file saves the same way as a full-screen recording, as a WebM file in your Downloads folder.

Where your files go and what to do with them

Both screenshots and recordings save to your Downloads folder by default. On Windows, this is usually C:\Users\[Your Username]\Downloads. On Mac, it is usually /Users/[Your Username]/Downloads. You can open your Downloads folder by pressing Ctrl + J in Chrome, which opens a list of all files you have downloaded.

Screenshots are PNG image files, which most computers can open and edit. Recordings are WebM video files, which play in Chrome, Firefox, and most modern video players. If you need to share a recording with someone using older software, you can convert the WebM file to MP4 or another format using free online converters or desktop software like HandBrake or FFmpeg.

Troubleshooting when the shortcuts do not work

If the keyboard shortcuts do not open the screenshot or recording menu, check whether Chrome extensions are interfering. Some extensions override keyboard shortcuts. Try disabling extensions one at a time to find which one is causing the problem. Go to chrome://extensions in your address bar, then toggle each extension off until the shortcuts work again.

On some Chromebooks, the screenshot shortcut is different. Press the power button and volume-down button at the same time to take a screenshot, or press the power button and volume-up button to record video. If you are using a Chromebook and the standard shortcuts do not work, try these buttons instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I record audio from my microphone while recording my screen?

Yes. Chrome records audio from your microphone automatically when you use the video recording tool. Make sure your microphone is connected and working before you start recording. If you do not want to record audio, mute your microphone or unplug it before you press record.

What format should I use if I need to share my recording with someone?

WebM files play in Chrome and Firefox, but older software may not support them. If the person you are sharing with cannot open a WebM file, convert it to MP4 using a free tool like HandBrake or an online converter. MP4 plays on almost all devices and software.

Can I edit a screenshot after I take it?

Chrome does not include an editor, but you can open the PNG file in any image editor on your computer — Windows Paint, Mac Preview, Photoshop, or free tools like GIMP. Right-click the file in your Downloads folder and choose "Open with" to pick an editor.

How long can I record video for?

Chrome does not have a time limit for recordings. You can record for as long as you want, but keep in mind that longer videos create larger files that take up more storage space on your computer. A one-hour recording typically uses 500 MB to 1 GB of space depending on your screen resolution and activity.

Does Chrome record my entire screen or just the Chrome window?

It depends which option you choose. If you select "Entire screen," Chrome records everything on your monitor, including other windows and your desktop. If you select "Window," Chrome records only the Chrome window. If you select "Region," Chrome records only the area you draw a box around.

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