How to Take Screenshots on a Chromebook

Taking a screenshot on a Chromebook is quick and built right into the keyboard, so you don’t need to install anything. This guide covers the exact key combos for full-screen and partial captures, plus how to find, edit, and share your images. You’ll need a Chromebook with the standard ChromeOS keyboard layout—most models from the last several years have the required keys.

What You’ll Need

A Chromebook (ChromeOS device)
The Ctrl, Shift, and Show Windows keys (the Show Windows key looks like a rectangle with two lines on the right side, usually in the top row)
Optional: a USB or Bluetooth mouse if you prefer clicking over keyboard shortcuts

Step-by-Step

Full-screen screenshot: Press Ctrl + Show Windows (the key with the rectangle-and-lines icon) at the same time. The screen will flash briefly, and the screenshot saves automatically to your Downloads folder.
Partial screenshot (custom area): Press Ctrl + Shift + Show Windows. A crosshair cursor appears. Click and drag to select the area you want to capture, then release the mouse or trackpad. The screenshot saves immediately.
Window screenshot (optional): Press Ctrl + Alt + Show Windows (or use the stylus on touchscreen models). A menu appears at the bottom of the screen—choose “Capture window” and click the window you want. This works on most ChromeOS versions.
Use the on-screen capture menu (alternative): Press Shift + Ctrl + Show Windows to open the full capture toolbar. From here you can select “Screenshot” (full screen), “Partial screenshot,” or “Record screen.” This is handy if you forget the specific shortcuts.
Find your screenshot: Open the Files app (the folder icon in the shelf). Go to My Files > Downloads. Screenshots are saved as PNG files with names like “Screenshot 2025-01-15 at 10.30.00 AM.png”.
Edit or share: Double-click the screenshot to open the built-in viewer. From there you can crop, annotate, or share via the “Share” button. You can also drag the file into an email or upload it to Google Drive.

Common Mistakes

Pressing the wrong key: The Show Windows key is sometimes confused with the brightness or volume keys. It’s the one with the rectangle-and-lines icon, not the magnifying glass or the power symbol.
Using Ctrl + Shift + S: That shortcut opens the “Save As” dialog in many apps, not the screenshot tool. Use the Show Windows key combos instead.
Forgetting to release the mouse: For partial screenshots, if you don’t release the click, the selection won’t complete. Make sure you let go of the trackpad or mouse button.
Looking for screenshots on the desktop: ChromeOS doesn’t have a desktop folder. Everything saves to the Downloads folder by default.

Tips

Change the save location: You can set screenshots to save to Google Drive by going to Settings > Device > Screenshots and choosing “Google Drive.” This is great for easy access across devices.
Use the stylus on touchscreen models: If your Chromebook has a stylus, you can tap the stylus icon in the shelf and select “Capture screen” to take a screenshot without using the keyboard.
Quick annotation: After taking a screenshot, a notification appears in the bottom-right corner. Click it to open the image in the editor immediately—no need to hunt for the file.
Keyboard shortcut for the capture menu: Press Shift + Ctrl + Show Windows to bring up the full toolbar with options for screenshot, partial, and screen recording. This is the most flexible method.
Copy to clipboard: If you want to paste the screenshot directly into a document or chat, press Ctrl + Shift + Show Windows and then select “Copy to clipboard” from the toolbar. Then press Ctrl + V to paste.

Troubleshooting

Screenshot not saving: Check that you have enough storage space. Go to Files > Downloads and see if the file is there. If not, try restarting your Chromebook—this often fixes temporary glitches.
Key combo does nothing: Some external keyboards may not have the Show Windows key. Use the on-screen capture menu instead: press Ctrl + Shift + Show Windows (if available) or use the stylus/mouse method. Alternatively, you can use the on-screen keyboard by enabling it in Settings > Accessibility.
Screenshot is black or blank: This can happen if you’re trying to capture DRM-protected content (like Netflix or some streaming sites). ChromeOS blocks screenshots for protected content. There’s no workaround—it’s a security feature.
Can’t find the screenshot after taking it: Double-check the Downloads folder. If you changed the save location to Google Drive, look there. Also, check the notification that appears after capture—clicking it opens the file.
Partial screenshot selects the wrong area: If your selection is off, press Esc to cancel and try again. Make sure you’re not accidentally moving the mouse while dragging.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Where do screenshots go on a Chromebook?
A: By default, they save to the Downloads folder in the Files app. You can change this to Google Drive in Settings.

Q: Can I take a screenshot of just one window?
A: Yes, press Ctrl + Alt + Show Windows (or use the capture menu) and select “Capture window.” Then click the window you want.

Q: How do I take a screenshot on a Chromebook without a keyboard?
A: Use the on-screen keyboard (Settings > Accessibility > On-screen keyboard) or use the stylus if your model has one. You can also plug in a USB mouse and use the capture menu if available.

Q: Why is my screenshot blurry?
A: Screenshots capture at the screen’s current resolution. If your display is set to a low resolution, the image will be low-res. Increase your display resolution in Settings > Device > Displays.

Q: Can I take a scrolling screenshot?
A: ChromeOS doesn’t have a native scrolling screenshot feature. You can use the partial screenshot tool to capture a long page by taking multiple screenshots and stitching them together, or use a Chrome extension like “GoFullPage” for full-page captures.

Q: How do I take a screenshot on a Chromebook tablet mode?
A: Press the power button and volume down button at the same time. This works on Chromebooks that convert to tablets.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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