Chromebooks offer simple and effective screenshot tools built into Chrome OS. Whether you need a full screen, partial area, or window capture, this guide covers every method with step-by-step instructions.
Keyboard shortcuts for screenshots
- Ctrl + Show Windows (F5) — Captures the entire screen and saves it to the Downloads folder as a PNG file.
- Ctrl + Shift + Show Windows (F5) — Opens a crosshair cursor to select a rectangular area. Drag to capture the selected portion and save to Downloads.
- Ctrl + Alt + Show Windows (F5) — Captures the current window and saves it to Downloads.
Note: The "Show Windows" key looks like a rectangle with two lines on the right side, usually located in the top row of keys.
Using the power button (tablet mode)
On Chromebooks with tablet mode or 2-in-1 designs:
- Press and hold the Power button and Volume Down button simultaneously.
- Hold for 1-2 seconds until you see the screen flash or hear a shutter sound.
- The screenshot saves to Downloads.
Using a stylus (if available)
If your Chromebook has a stylus:
- Tap the stylus on the screen to open the stylus menu.
- Select the Screenshot or Capture region option.
- Draw or select the area to capture.
Using the Chrome browser
For web-specific captures:
- Open Chrome and navigate to the page.
- Right-click and select Inspect to open DevTools.
- Click the device toolbar icon (phone/tablet) for responsive design screenshots.
- Or use extensions like "Full Page Screen Capture" for scrolling screenshots.
Where screenshots are saved
All screenshots save to the Downloads folder by default. You can access them via the Files app or Chrome's Downloads page (chrome://downloads).
Editing screenshots
Chrome OS includes basic editing:
- Open the screenshot in the Files app.
- Right-click and select Open with → Gallery (or any image editor).
- Use built-in markup tools for cropping, adding text, shapes, and highlights.
- For advanced editing, use web apps like Pixlr or upload to Google Photos.
Tips and troubleshooting
- Change save location: Screenshots always go to Downloads, but you can move them afterward.
- Notification: After capturing, a notification appears — click it to view or edit the screenshot.
- Keyboard issues: If F5 doesn't work, ensure you're using the correct "Show Windows" key (not F5 on external keyboards).
- Cloud storage: Enable Google Drive backup to automatically sync screenshots.
- Partial screenshots: For precise selections, use Ctrl + Shift + Show Windows and drag carefully.
Screen recording on Chromebook
Chrome OS supports screen recording:
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Show Windows to open the recorder.
- Choose to record the full screen or a portion.
- Include microphone audio if needed.
- Stop recording with the on-screen controls.
Quick reference
- Ctrl + Show Windows: Full screen
- Ctrl + Shift + Show Windows: Selected area
- Ctrl + Alt + Show Windows: Current window
- Power + Volume Down: Tablet mode screenshot