The fastest way to screenshot on a Chromebook

On a Chromebook, press Ctrl + Show Windows to capture your entire screen. The Show Windows key is the one that looks like a rectangle with lines — it sits where the F5 key would be on a regular keyboard. Your screenshot saves automatically to the Downloads folder as a PNG file with a timestamp in the filename.

If you only need part of the screen, press Ctrl + Shift + Show Windows instead. Your cursor will turn into a crosshair. Click and drag to select the area you want, then release. That partial screenshot also saves to Downloads with its own timestamped filename.

You do not need any special software or apps. This is built into Chrome OS and works the same way on every Chromebook model.

Key Takeaways

  • Press Ctrl + Show Windows to capture the full screen; it saves automatically to your Downloads folder as a PNG file.
  • Press Ctrl + Shift + Show Windows to select and capture only part of your screen using a crosshair tool.
  • Screenshots are timestamped and named automatically, so taking multiple shots in a row creates separate files you can tell apart.
  • You can open the Files app and navigate to Downloads to find, rename, move, or delete your screenshots at any time.
  • Chromebooks do not have a built-in annotation tool, but you can open a screenshot in the Gallery app to draw or add text before sharing.

Finding and managing your screenshots

Every screenshot lands in your Downloads folder. Open the Files app (the folder icon in your taskbar), then click Downloads on the left side. You will see all your screenshots listed with names like "Screenshot 2024-01-15 at 2.30.45 PM.png". The date and time in the filename tell you exactly when you took each one.

You can rename a screenshot by right-clicking it and selecting Rename. You can also move it to a different folder, delete it, or share it directly from the Files app. Right-click any screenshot and choose Share to email it or send it through another app.

If you want to edit a screenshot before sharing — add arrows, circles, or text — open it with the Gallery app. Click the screenshot, then click the pencil icon at the bottom. You can draw freehand, add shapes, or type text. When you are done, click Save.

Capturing just one window or tab

If you want to screenshot only the window you are currently using, without the taskbar or other windows behind it, use Alt + Show Windows. This captures just the active window and saves it to Downloads the same way a full-screen shot does.

For a single browser tab, the easiest method is to use your browser's built-in tool. In Chrome, press Ctrl + Shift + S to open the screenshot tool. You can then select the area you want, and Chrome gives you options to download it or copy it to your clipboard instead of saving it to Downloads.

Copying a screenshot to your clipboard instead of saving it

Sometimes you want to paste a screenshot directly into an email or document without saving a file first. Press Ctrl + Shift + Show Windows to open the selection tool, draw your box around the area you want, then release. A small preview will pop up in the corner of your screen. Click the preview to copy it to your clipboard instead of saving it.

Once it is copied, you can paste it anywhere — into Gmail, Google Docs, a message, or any other app — by pressing Ctrl + V. The file is not saved to Downloads in this case; it only exists in your clipboard until you paste it or close the app.

Sharing screenshots directly from the notification

When you take a screenshot, a small notification appears in the bottom right corner of your screen. You can click that notification to open the screenshot immediately in the Gallery app, where you can edit it or share it right away.

If you click the three-dot menu on the notification, you will see options to delete the screenshot, open it in Files, or copy it to your clipboard. This is faster than opening Files and hunting for the screenshot yourself if you know right away what you want to do with it.

Troubleshooting screenshots that do not appear

If you pressed the screenshot keys but nothing happened, check whether your Chromebook was in tablet mode. Some Chromebooks can flip into tablet mode, and the screenshot shortcuts do not work the same way in that mode. Flip it back to laptop mode and try again.

If you took a screenshot but cannot find it in Downloads, make sure you are looking in the right place. Open Files, click Downloads on the left, and look for files with names starting with "Screenshot". If Downloads is empty, check whether your Chromebook is running low on storage — if the drive is full, screenshots may not save. Click the Files app menu and select Storage to see how much space you have left.

On some older Chromebook models, the Show Windows key might be labeled differently or located in a different spot. Check your keyboard layout by searching "keyboard" in your Chromebook settings. If you still cannot find the right key, you can use the Chrome screenshot tool instead: press Ctrl + Shift + S in any browser tab to open the selection tool.

Using Google Drive or cloud storage to back up screenshots

Since screenshots save to your Downloads folder on your Chromebook, they only exist on that device unless you move them. If you want to keep them safe or access them from another computer, drag them from Downloads into a Google Drive folder. Your Chromebook syncs with Google Drive automatically, so the screenshots will be backed up to the cloud.

You can also right-click a screenshot in Files and select Move to move it directly into a Google Drive folder. This is useful if you take a lot of screenshots and want to organize them by project or date without filling up your Chromebook's storage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I take a screenshot of my entire screen including multiple windows?

Yes. Ctrl + Show Windows captures everything visible on your screen at that moment — all open windows, the taskbar, and the desktop. If you want only one window, use Alt + Show Windows instead.

What format are Chromebook screenshots saved in?

Screenshots save as PNG files, which is a standard image format that works in email, documents, and on websites. PNG files are smaller than some other formats and preserve image quality well.

Can I take a screenshot of a scrolling webpage to capture content below the fold?

The standard screenshot tools capture only what is visible on your screen at that moment. To capture a long page, you can take multiple screenshots and stitch them together, or use your browser's built-in tools — in Chrome, press Ctrl + Shift + S and look for a "Capture full page" option in some cases.

Do I need to be connected to the internet to take screenshots?

No. Screenshots work offline. They save to your Downloads folder locally, and you can view or edit them without an internet connection. You only need internet if you want to upload them to Google Drive or email them.

What if I accidentally delete a screenshot?

Check your Files app trash. Open Files, click the three-line menu, and select Trash. If the screenshot is there, right-click it and select Restore to move it back to Downloads. If it is not in trash, it cannot be recovered.