Taking a screenshot on a Chromebook is easier than it used to be. Newer models include a dedicated Screenshot key, while all current Chromebooks also support ChromeOS Screen Capture tools for full-screen, partial, and window screenshots. If your device uses an older keyboard layout, you can still use the familiar Show windows shortcut.
You can also take screenshots in tablet mode, use an external keyboard, and change where screenshots are saved. Here’s how it all works.
The easiest way to take a screenshot on a Chromebook is to use the built-in Screen Capture tools.
Your screenshot will save automatically, and you can open it, copy it, edit it, or share it right away.
If you prefer the older shortcut method, press Ctrl + Show windows to capture the entire screen instantly.
If you only want part of the screen, use the partial screenshot option.
This is the cleanest option if you want to skip cropping afterward and just capture what matters.
ChromeOS also lets you capture a single app window without grabbing the rest of the screen.
This is useful when you want a cleaner image for a guide, school project, or message and do not want to crop out the rest of your desktop later.
By default, Chromebook screenshots are saved locally on your device.
You can usually find them in the Downloads folder in the Files app. Depending on your setup, they may also appear in Images.
If you take screenshots often, it is worth checking the Screen Capture settings so you know exactly where new files are going. That saves you from taking the screenshot, then immediately playing detective.
If you want your screenshots to go somewhere other than the default folder, you can change the save location through the Screen Capture tools.
This is especially handy if you regularly move screenshots to Google Drive or keep project files in a specific folder.
If you are using a Chromebook in tablet mode, the easiest method is the hardware-button shortcut.
This works much like taking a screenshot on an Android phone, which is fitting since ChromeOS and Android have been borrowing each other’s homework for years.
If your Chromebook supports stylus input, you may also be able to take screenshots with the pen tools.
This is a useful option on 2-in-1 devices where reaching for a keyboard shortcut feels awkward.
If you are using an external keyboard that does not have Chromebook-specific top-row keys, the shortcut changes slightly.
This is also the method to use on ChromeOS devices like a Chromebox, where the keyboard may look more like a standard PC keyboard.
After taking a screenshot, you can open it from the Files app to make quick edits or send it to someone else.
For most people, the built-in tools are enough. If you need advanced annotations or full-page web captures, that is when third-party tools start making sense.
The built-in ChromeOS tools cover the basics well, but a few third-party options can do more.
Lightshot: A simple tool for quick region captures and basic edits.
FireShot: Good for capturing entire webpages without stitching together multiple screenshots.
Awesome Screenshot and Screen Recorder: Useful if you want annotations, blurring, or screen recording in the same tool.
GoFullPage: Another solid option for saving full webpages as images or PDFs.
Most users will not need these for everyday screenshots, but they can be helpful if you create tutorials, reports, or classroom materials.
The Show windows key is the Chromebook key used in place of a traditional function-row button. It usually looks like a rectangle with two vertical lines beside it.
Yes. Open Screen Capture, choose Window, and then select the window you want to save.
They are usually saved to Downloads in the Files app. Some setups may also show them in Images.
Yes. Open the Screen Capture toolbar, go into the capture settings, and choose a different save location.
Use Shift + Ctrl + Show windows to open the Screen Capture toolbar, or use Ctrl + Show windows for a quick full-screen screenshot.
Press Power + Volume down at the same time to capture the whole screen.
Yes. Open the screenshot from the Files app and use the built-in editing tools to crop, rotate, or adjust the image.
Taking a screenshot on a Chromebook is one of those things that feels confusing right up until it suddenly doesn’t. Once you know the key shortcuts and where ChromeOS hides the capture tools, it becomes second nature.
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