Taking screenshots on a Chromebook allows you to capture images of your screen to share, document issues, or save information. Chromebooks make it easy to take full screenshots, partial screenshots, or screenshots of specific windows. Here are some tips for taking screenshots on your Chromebook.
Table of Contents
Keyboard Shortcuts for Screenshots
The fastest way to take screenshots on a Chromebook is by using keyboard shortcuts:
- Full screenshot: Press
Ctrl + Show Windows - Partial screenshot: Press
Ctrl + Shift + Show Windows, then click and drag to select an area - Window screenshot: Press
Ctrl + Alt + Show Windows, then click on a window
The Show Windows key is located at the top right of the keyboard.
Tip: You can also press Ctrl + Overview to capture full screenshots, where Overview is the key above the right arrow key.
Using the Screen Capture Tool
If your Chromebook is in tablet mode or you don’t want to memorize keyboard shortcuts, you can use the built-in Screen Capture tool:
- Click the time in the bottom right corner to open Quick Settings
- Click Screen Capture
- Choose full screen, window, or partial screenshot
- Click Capture to take the screenshot
The screenshot will save to your Downloads folder by default.
Capturing Screenshots in Tablet Mode
If your Chromebook can convert into a tablet, you can take screenshots by:
- Pressing the Power button + Volume down button together
- Or by tapping the screen capture icon in Quick Settings
Using a Stylus to Capture Screenshots
If your Chromebook supports stylus input, you can use the stylus to take screenshots:
- Tap the stylus icon in the shelf
- Choose Screen Capture
- Select either Capture Region or Capture Screen
Finding and Editing Your Screenshots
After you take a screenshot, it is saved to the Downloads folder by default. You can edit your screenshots using the built-in editor:
- Open the Files app > Images or Downloads
- Right click the screenshot and choose Open With > Image Editor
- Use the editor tools to annotate, crop, adjust lighting, etc.
You can also find your last 5 screenshots by pressing Ctrl + V to view clipboard contents.
Changing the Default Screenshot Folder
If you want to save screenshots somewhere other than Downloads:
- Press
Ctrl + Shift + Show Windows - Click the gear icon > Settings
- Under Save Location, choose another folder
Some good places to save screenshots are Google Drive or an external hard drive.
Tools and Extensions for Screenshots
While Chrome OS has great built-in tools, here are some extensions to enhance screenshots:
- Awesome Screenshot – Annotate and edit screenshots
- Nimbus Screenshot – Capture full webpages and annotate screenshots
- Lightshot – Quickly capture and edit partial screenshots
Sharing and Deleting Screenshots
Once you take a screenshot, you can access it through the Files app. Right click on a screenshot to:
- Share via email, social media, or messaging apps
- Move to another folder like Google Drive
- Rename, delete, or copy the screenshot
Tip: You can pin screenshots to the Tote folder on your shelf for quick access later.
Conclusion
Taking screenshots on a Chromebook is easy whether you use keyboard shortcuts, built-in tools, your stylus, or extensions. You can capture full screens, specific regions, or windows. Editing and sharing screenshots is also straightforward right from the Files app. With a bit of practice, you’ll be able to take and utilize screenshots like a pro!
