US Trends

how to screen shot on chromebook

You can screenshot on a Chromebook with a few simple key combos and built‑in tools, whether you want the whole screen, a portion, or you’re in tablet mode.

Quick Scoop: The Basics

  • Full-screen screenshot (most Chromebooks)
    • Press Ctrl + Show windows (the Show windows key looks like a rectangle with two vertical lines).
* On some newer models, there may be a dedicated **Screenshot** key that does the same thing.
  • Partial screenshot (select an area)
    • Press Shift + Ctrl + Show windows.
* Your cursor turns into a crosshair; click and drag to select the exact area you want, then release to capture.
  • Window-only screenshot
    • Press Ctrl + Shift + Show windows , then choose the window or option from the screenshot toolbar at the bottom of the screen.
  • With an external keyboard (no Show key)
    • Use Ctrl + Shift + F5 instead of the Show windows key.

Tablet & 2‑in‑1 Mode

If your Chromebook flips into tablet mode or is a pure tablet, the controls feel more like a phone.

  • Full-screen in tablet mode
    • Press Power + Volume down at the same time.
  • With a stylus (on supported Chromebooks)
    • Tap the Pen icon on the shelf, choose Capture region , then draw around what you want to capture.

Using the Screen Capture Tool (No Shortcuts Needed)

You can also use a built-in toolbar if you forget the shortcuts.

  1. Click the time in the bottom-right corner to open Quick Settings.
  1. Click Screen Capture (or Settings > Screen Capture on some devices).
  1. A toolbar appears at the bottom where you can choose:
    • Screenshot vs. screen recording
    • Full screen, region, or window capture

This is handy if you prefer clicking over memorizing keyboard shortcuts.

Where Your Screenshots Go (and Then What?)

  • By default, screenshots save to your Downloads folder.
  • You’ll usually see a small preview pop up in the corner right after you take one, with quick options to Copy , Annotate , or Show in folder.
  • You can open screenshots in the built‑in image editor to crop, draw, or lightly edit them.

Think of it like taking a photo of your screen: the shortcut snaps it, and the Downloads folder is your quick photo album.

Tiny Troubleshooting Tips

  • If nothing happens when you try a shortcut, double‑check:
    • That you’re pressing Ctrl , not Alt or Search.
* Whether your Chromebook uses **F5** instead of Show windows (external keyboards or older layouts).
  • In tablet mode, remember that Power + Volume down is your go‑to combo.

TL;DR:

  • Full screen: Ctrl + Show windows (or Ctrl + Shift + F5).
  • Partial: Shift + Ctrl + Show windows , then drag.
  • Tablet: Power + Volume down.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.