US Trends

how to take a screenshot on chromebook without windows key

You can take a screenshot on a Chromebook without using a Windows key (or even without the special “Show Windows” key) by using a few built‑in tools and tricks. Here’s a clear, practical guide.

Main ways (no Windows key needed)

1. Use the built‑in Screen Capture menu

This works on every modern Chromebook and doesn’t require any special key.

  1. Click the time in the bottom‑right corner of the screen to open Quick Settings.
  2. Click the “Screen capture” icon (looks like a camera or a box with a circle).
  3. At the bottom of the screen, choose:
    • Full screen
    • Partial area (click and drag)
    • Single window
  4. Click once (for full/window) or drag and release (for partial) to take the screenshot.
  5. A thumbnail appears in the corner; it’s saved in your Downloads folder by default.

This is the easiest method if your keyboard shortcuts are confusing or some keys are missing.

2. Use the dedicated Screenshot key (some newer Chromebooks)

Some recent Chromebooks have a Screenshot key on the top row (often above 5 or 6).

  • Press the Screenshot key once.
  • The screen capture toolbar appears at the bottom.
  • Choose full screen, region, or window, then click or drag to capture.

If you see a key that looks like a small camera or a rectangle with a circle, that’s likely it.

3. Use an external keyboard (no Chromebook “Windows/Show Windows” key)

If your built‑in keyboard is missing the Chromebook “Show windows” key but you have an external keyboard:

  • Plug in the external keyboard via USB or Bluetooth.
  • Try:
    • Ctrl + F5 for a full‑screen screenshot
    • Ctrl + Shift + F5 for a partial screenshot, then drag to select

Many Chromebooks treat the F5 key on an external keyboard like the Chromebook “Show windows” key.

4. Use a stylus (on stylus‑enabled Chromebooks)

If your Chromebook has a pen/stylus:

  1. Tap the stylus icon on the shelf (bottom‑right).
  2. Choose:
    • “Capture screen” for the whole screen
    • “Capture region” to draw around an area
  3. Optional: Draw or write on the screenshot, then save.

This is handy for marking up homework, designs, or errors on a page.

5. Use Google Assistant (hands‑free)

If Google Assistant is enabled:

  1. Turn on Assistant in Settings → Search and Assistant (or similar), and enable “Hey Google.”
  2. Say: “Hey Google, take a screenshot.”
  3. The Chromebook captures the full screen and saves the image automatically.

You can also open Assistant from the launcher and type “Take a screenshot.”

Where your screenshots go (and how to edit)

  • Open the Files app.
  • Go to Downloads (default location).
  • Files are usually named like “Screenshot 2026‑01‑25 at 7.32.00 AM.png.”

To quickly edit:

  • Double‑click the screenshot to open the built‑in image editor.
  • You can crop, rotate, and make simple adjustments without extra apps.

Quick reference table

Situation What to do Shortcut/Path
No Windows/Show Windows key, want simple method Use Quick Settings Screen Capture Click time → Screen capture → pick mode → capture
New Chromebook with Screenshot key Use dedicated screenshot button Press Screenshot key → choose full/partial/window
Using external keyboard Map F5 to screenshot Ctrl + F5 (full), Ctrl + Shift + F5 (partial)
Touchscreen with stylus Use stylus capture options Stylus icon → Capture screen / Capture region
Hands‑free capture Use Google Assistant “Hey Google, take a screenshot”
[8][3][1][5]

Mini example

Imagine you’re in class on your Chromebook and your teacher shows a slide you want to save, but your top row keys are confusing and you don’t see anything that looks like a Windows key.
You just click the time, hit Screen capture , choose Full screen , and click once—screenshot done, waiting in your Downloads folder to review later.

Quick TL;DR

  • You don’t need a Windows key at all.
  • Easiest method: Quick Settings → Screen capture.
  • Extras: Screenshot key, external keyboard shortcuts, stylus capture, or “Hey Google, take a screenshot.”

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