Taking a screenshot on a Chromebook is simple once you know the right keyboard shortcuts and tools. This guide covers every common way to screenshot on a Chromebook, from full-screen captures to partial and window-only screenshots.

# 1. Basic Chromebook Screenshot Shortcuts

# 1.1 Full-Screen Screenshot

Use this when you want to capture the entire screen.

Keyboard shortcut:

  • Press: Ctrl + Show windows

The Show windows key is usually on the top row and looks like a rectangle with two lines on the right (often where F5 would be on Windows keyboards).

After you press it:

  • A notification appears at the bottom-right.
  • Click it to open or copy the screenshot.
  • Files are saved in the Downloads folder by default.

# 1.2 Partial Screenshot (Select Area)

Use this when you only want to capture a specific part of the screen.

Keyboard shortcut:

  • Press: Ctrl + Shift + Show windows

Then:

  1. Your cursor turns into a crosshair.
  2. Click and drag to select the area you want.
  3. Release the mouse/trackpad to capture.

The screenshot is saved just like a full-screen capture and a thumbnail appears in the bottom-right.

# 1.3 Window Screenshot (Single Window Only)

Use this to capture just one window, not the whole screen.

Keyboard shortcut:

  • Press: Alt + Show windows

Then:

  1. Your cursor changes.
  2. Click on the window you want to capture.

This method works well when you have multiple windows and only need one.

# 2. How to Screenshot on a Chromebook with the Screen Capture Tool

ChromeOS has a built-in Screen Capture tool that handles both screenshots and screen recordings with a visual interface.

# 2.1 Open the Screen Capture Toolbar

Use one of these methods:

  • Press: Ctrl + Shift + Show windows
    Then look at the toolbar at the bottom of the screen.

OR

  • Click the clock area (bottom-right of the shelf)
  • Click Screen capture

You’ll see a small toolbar with options for:

  • Screenshot vs Screen Record
  • Full screen
  • Partial
  • Window

# 2.2 Choose Screenshot Type

On the toolbar:

  • Click the camera icon for screenshots (not the video icon).
  • Choose one of:
    • Full screen
    • Partial
    • Window

Then click or drag according to your choice. The image will save automatically.

# 3. How to Screenshot on Chromebook with a Keyboard and Trackpad Only

If you prefer not to use the on-screen toolbar, stick to pure keyboard shortcuts:

  • Full screen: Ctrl + Show windows
  • Partial: Ctrl + Shift + Show windows
  • Window: Alt + Show windows

These work on most Chromebooks and ChromeOS devices, including many Chromebook models listed by Google.

# 4. Where Are Chromebook Screenshots Saved?

By default, screenshots are saved to:

  • The Downloads folder in the Files app.

To find them:

  1. Open the Launcher (circle icon in bottom-left) or press the Search / Everything key.
  2. Type Files and open it.
  3. Click Downloads on the left.

You can also:

  • Click the screenshot notification that appears after capturing.
  • From there, you can Copy, Annotate, or Show in folder.

If you use Google Drive sync, you can move them to a synced folder for cloud backup.

# 5. Editing and Annotating Screenshots on Chromebook

After you take a screenshot, you can quickly edit it:

  1. Open the screenshot in the Gallery app (usually the default when you double-click an image).
  2. Use tools to:
    • Crop
    • Rotate
    • Adjust brightness/contrast
  3. For drawing or marking up (arrows, circles, text), you can:
    • Click the notification thumbnail and choose Annotate, or
    • Open the image in tools like:

# 6. How to Screenshot on a Chromebook with an External Keyboard

If your Chromebook uses a non-Chromebook keyboard (e.g., a standard Windows keyboard), it might not have a Show windows key.

In that case:

  • The Show windows key is effectively the F5 key on many external keyboards.
  • Try:
    • Full screen: Ctrl + F5
    • Partial: Ctrl + Shift + F5
    • Window: Alt + F5

If function keys are shared with media controls, you may need to hold Search or Fn depending on your settings.

# 7. Taking Screenshots in Tablet Mode (Convertible Chromebooks)

On 2-in-1 or convertible Chromebooks in tablet mode (keyboard folded back), keyboard shortcuts may not be convenient.

Use the tablet-style screenshot gesture:

  • Press Power button + Volume Down together.

This works similarly to Android phones and tablets and captures the full screen.

# 8. FAQ: Common Questions About Chromebook Screenshots

# 8.1 How do I copy a screenshot to the clipboard instead of saving it?

When you take a screenshot, a preview pops up:

  • Click Copy to clipboard from that preview.

Or in Tools:

  • Use Ctrl + V to paste into:

# 8.2 How do I change the default screenshot folder?

You can change where screenshots are saved:

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Show windows to open Screen Capture.
  2. Click the settings gear icon on the toolbar.
  3. Look for a setting like Save to.
  4. Choose a folder (e.g. a folder in Google Drive).

# 8.3 Can I record my screen instead of taking a screenshot?

Yes. ChromeOS includes screen recording:

  1. Open Screen capture.
  2. Select the video camera icon instead of the camera icon.
  3. Choose full screen, partial, or window.
  4. Click Record.

Recordings save as video files in your Downloads folder.

# 9. Summary: Quick Reference for Chromebook Screenshots

  • Full-screen screenshot: Ctrl + Show windows
  • Partial screenshot: Ctrl + Shift + Show windows
  • Window screenshot: Alt + Show windows
  • Tablet mode full-screen: Power + Volume Down
  • Open Screen Capture tool: Ctrl + Shift + Show windows or via the system tray (clock area)

Once you know these shortcuts, capturing and sharing your screen on a Chromebook is fast and effortless.