The fastest way to capture your screen on a Chromebook
On a Chromebook, you take a screenshot by pressing Ctrl + Show Windows (the Show Windows key is the one with four rectangles, usually in the top row of your keyboard where F5 would be on a regular computer). The screenshot saves automatically to your Downloads folder as a PNG file with the date and time in the filename.
If you want to capture only part of your screen instead of the whole thing, press Ctrl + Shift + Show Windows. Your cursor will change to a crosshair, and you can click and drag to select the area you want. Release the mouse button when you have the region you need, and that partial screenshot saves to Downloads the same way.
You will see a notification in the bottom right corner of your screen confirming the screenshot was taken. Click that notification to open the file when ready, or ignore it and find the file later in your Downloads folder.
Key Takeaways
- Press Ctrl + Show Windows to capture your entire screen; the file saves automatically to Downloads.
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Show Windows to select and capture only part of your screen using a crosshair tool.
- Screenshots save as PNG files with timestamps in the filename, so each one has a unique name.
- A notification appears in the bottom right corner when your screenshot is taken, and you can click it to view the file right away.
- You do not need to install any software or use a third-party tool — the screenshot feature is built into Chrome OS.
Where your screenshots go and how to find them
Every screenshot you take lands in your Downloads folder automatically. On your Chromebook, click the Files icon in the taskbar at the bottom (it looks like a folder), then click Downloads in the left sidebar. You will see all your screenshots listed by date, with names like "Screenshot 2024-01-15 at 2.45.32 PM.png".
If you want to move a screenshot somewhere else, right-click it in the Files app and select Move. You can put it in Google Drive, a USB drive, or any other folder on your Chromebook. You can also right-click and choose Copy to paste it directly into an email, document, or message without saving a separate file first.
Taking a partial screenshot step by step
Partial screenshots are useful when you only need to capture part of a webpage, a single window, or a specific area. Press Ctrl + Shift + Show Windows and your screen will dim slightly while your cursor changes to a crosshair.
Click at the top-left corner of the area you want to capture and hold down the mouse button. Drag to the bottom-right corner of the region you need, then release. The selected area will highlight in white as you drag, so you can see exactly what you are capturing. Once you release the mouse button, the partial screenshot saves to Downloads when ready.
If you make a mistake while selecting, press Escape to cancel and start over. You can take as many partial screenshots as you need without any limit.
Copying a screenshot directly to paste elsewhere
Instead of saving a screenshot to your Downloads folder, you can copy it straight to your clipboard and paste it into another program. Press Ctrl + Shift + Show Windows to enter partial screenshot mode, select the area you want, and then press Ctrl + C when ready after the screenshot is taken. The image is now copied and ready to paste.
Open the document, email, or message where you want the screenshot to appear, click in the text area, and press Ctrl + V. The screenshot will paste directly without you having to navigate to your Downloads folder. This method is faster when you are working in Google Docs, Gmail, or any other web-based tool.
Using the built-in screenshot tool for more control
Chromebooks also have a dedicated screenshot tool you can open from the launcher. Click the circle icon in the bottom-left corner of your screen (the app launcher), then search for "Screenshot" and click the result. A small window will appear with buttons for capturing your full screen or a selected region.
This tool works the same way as the keyboard shortcuts but gives you a visual interface if you prefer not to memorize the key combinations. You can also use it to see a preview of your screenshot before it saves, though the keyboard method is usually faster once you get used to it.
Troubleshooting when screenshots do not save
If you press the screenshot keys and nothing happens, check that your Downloads folder has storage space available. Chromebooks need at least a small amount of free space to save files. Click the Files icon, right-click Downloads, and select Properties to see how much space you have left.
If your Downloads folder is full, delete files you no longer need or move them to Google Drive to free up space. After that, try taking a screenshot again. If screenshots still are not saving, restart your Chromebook by clicking the power icon in the bottom-right corner and selecting Restart. Most issues resolve after a restart.
On some older Chromebook models, the Show Windows key might be in a different location or labeled differently. Check your keyboard layout by going to Settings, then Keyboard, to see which key corresponds to Show Windows on your specific model.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take a screenshot of just one window instead of the whole screen?
The built-in Chromebook screenshot tool does not have a dedicated "window only" option like some other computers do. Use the partial screenshot method (Ctrl + Shift + Show Windows) and carefully select around the window you want to capture. This gives you the same result.
What file format do Chromebook screenshots save in?
Screenshots save as PNG files, which is a standard image format that works with almost every program and website. PNG files preserve image quality and are smaller than some other formats, so they are ideal for sharing or storing.
Can I edit a screenshot after I take it?
Yes. After you take a screenshot, click the notification in the bottom-right corner to open it. You can then right-click the file and choose to open it with an image editor, or use Google Drive to upload it and edit it there. Chromebooks do not come with a built-in editor, but Google Photos and other free tools can make basic edits.
Do screenshots include my entire screen or just the visible window?
Full screenshots (Ctrl + Show Windows) capture everything visible on your screen at that moment, including the taskbar at the bottom. They do not capture anything that is hidden or scrolled out of view. If you need to capture a long webpage, you will need to scroll and take multiple screenshots or use a screen recording instead.
Where is the Show Windows key on my keyboard?
The Show Windows key is in the top row of your keyboard, usually where the F5 key would be on a standard computer. It has an icon that looks like four small rectangles or windows. If you cannot find it, go to Settings, then Keyboard, to see a diagram of your specific Chromebook model.