Chromebooks have become incredibly popular for students, professionals, educators, and casual users because they are fast, affordable, and user-friendly. Yet despite their simplicity, many people struggle with one basic task: taking a screenshot. Whether you’re trying to capture an image for a school project, save a digital receipt, show tech support what’s happening on your screen, or record part of your display for a tutorial, knowing how to take screenshots is essential.

Fortunately, Chromebooks make this task easy. In fact, they offer multiple ways to capture your screen—full screenshots, partial screenshots, window screenshots, stylus options, and even screen recordings. This complete guide will walk you through every method step-by-step and explain how to find, edit, and manage your screenshots like a pro.

1. Understanding Chromebook Screenshot Tools

Before diving into methods, it helps to understand how Chromebooks are designed. They run ChromeOS, a lightweight, cloud-based operating system built around simplicity and speed. Instead of bulky software, Chromebooks use shortcuts and built-in tools for core functions—including screenshots.

Chromebooks offer:

  • Full-screen screenshots

  • Partial screen captures

  • Single-window captures

  • Stylus and touchscreen methods

  • Built-in screen recording

  • Editing and annotation tools

  • Automatic file organization

Knowing these tools ensures you always use the best screenshot method for your purpose.

2. How to Take a Full Screenshot on a Chromebook

A full screenshot captures everything visible on your display from top to bottom and side to side. This is the most common method and works on all Chromebooks.

Keyboard Shortcut:

Press:

Ctrl + Show Windows

(“Show Windows” is the key that looks like a rectangle with two lines, usually above the 6 key.)

What Happens Next?

  • A notification pops up in the bottom-right corner confirming the screenshot.

  • The file is automatically saved in your Downloads folder.

This shortcut is perfect when you want to capture the entire screen without selecting anything manually.

3. How to Take a Partial Screenshot

Sometimes you only want to capture part of your screen—maybe a specific paragraph, a graph, an image, or a selected area. The partial screenshot tool gives you full control over the selection.

Keyboard Shortcut:

Press:

Ctrl + Shift + Show Windows

This opens a crosshair cursor, allowing you to click and drag a box around the area you want to capture.

How It Works:

  1. Press the shortcut.

  2. Drag your mouse or trackpad to select the area.

  3. Release to take the screenshot.

  4. You’ll see a preview and confirmation notification.

This method ensures you capture only what you need—great for presentations, homework, or sharing quick snippets.

4. How to Capture a Specific Window

If you have multiple windows open and want to capture only one—such as a browser tab, a settings window, or a pop-up—you can use the window capture method.

Keyboard Shortcut:

Press:

Ctrl + Alt + Show Windows

Your screen will dim and your cursor will turn into a camera icon.

Steps:

  1. Press the shortcut.

  2. Move the camera icon over the window you want to capture.

  3. Click once.

  4. The screenshot is saved automatically.

You now have a clean screenshot of only the selected window—no background clutter or extra tabs.

5. How to Use the Screen Capture Tool (ChromeOS 89 and Later)

ChromeOS includes a built-in Screen Capture Toolbar, which allows you to take screenshots without remembering shortcuts.

How to Open the Screen Capture Tool:

  • Click the clock area in the bottom-right corner (the system menu).

  • Select Screen Capture from the menu.

Features of the Capture Toolbar:

  • Full-screen screenshot

  • Partial screenshot

  • Window screenshot

  • Full-screen recording

  • Window recording

  • Partial recording

  • Sound input settings

  • Save location customization

The toolbar appears at the bottom of your screen and offers a more visual, user-friendly way to take screenshots—similar to tools on Windows and macOS.

6. Screenshot Options for Touchscreen Chromebooks

If your Chromebook has a touchscreen, you can also take screenshots using multitouch gestures—especially useful when using tablet mode.

Full Screenshot (Touchscreen Only):

Press:

Power button + Volume down

This works similarly to taking a screenshot on an Android phone or tablet.

When is this useful?

  • Tablet mode

  • Detachable Chromebook screens

  • Foldable 2-in-1 Chromebooks

  • When you don’t want to use a keyboard

It’s a quick and intuitive method for touchscreen users.

7. Taking Screenshots with a Stylus (For Chromebook Pen Users)

If your Chromebook includes a stylus or supports active pens, you get additional screenshot tools.

Steps:

  1. Tap the Stylus icon in the taskbar.

  2. Select one of the following:

    • Capture screen – full screenshot

    • Capture region – partial screenshot

    • Annotation tools – draw directly on the screenshot

Stylus-based screenshots are ideal for artists, annotators, students, and anyone who prefers precision.

8. How to Take a Screenshot on an External Keyboard (e.g., Linux Mode)

If you’re using a Chromebook with:

  • A wired USB keyboard

  • A Bluetooth full-size keyboard

  • A mechanical keyboard

  • Linux/Developer Mode

The “Show Windows” key may not exist on your external keyboard.

Equivalent Key:

Use:

F5

Screenshots:

  • Full screen: Ctrl + F5

  • Partial: Ctrl + Shift + F5

  • Window: Ctrl + Alt + F5

This ensures you can take screenshots even without the Chromebook-specific keys.

9. Where Screenshots Are Saved

By default, Chromebook screenshots are saved to:

Files App → Downloads

ChromeOS also shows a preview in the bottom-right corner, allowing you to:

  • Copy the screenshot

  • Annotate it

  • Move it to Google Drive

  • Edit it

  • Delete it

  • Share it via email or apps

Changing the Save Location

Open Screen Capture → Click the gear icon → Choose a new location such as:

  • Google Drive

  • a custom folder

  • external storage

This helps with organization, especially for school projects or work files.

10. How to Edit Screenshots on a Chromebook

ChromeOS includes simple editing tools.

Steps:

  1. Open the screenshot in the Gallery app (default image viewer).

  2. Use the toolbar to:

    • Crop

    • Rotate

    • Resize

    • Draw

    • Highlight

    • Add text

    • Adjust brightness

You can also save as a new file or replace the original.

Annotating Directly from Preview

After taking a screenshot, click Edit in the preview pop-up.

This opens drawing tools for quick annotations like:

  • Circles

  • Arrows

  • Highlights

  • Notes

Perfect for instructions, school work, or marking up documents.

11. How to Record Your Screen on a Chromebook

Screen recording is part of the same “Screen Capture” tool.

How to Record:

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Show Windows

  2. Choose the video icon instead of the camera icon

  3. Select:

    • Full screen

    • Partial screen

    • Window recording

  4. Choose microphone settings

  5. Press Record

Recordings are saved in WebM format, which you can convert or upload easily.

12. Troubleshooting Chromebook Screenshots

Sometimes screenshots don’t work. Here’s how to solve common issues.

1. Not Enough Storage

If your downloads folder is full:

  • Free up space

  • Move files to Google Drive

  • Delete old screenshots

2. Keyboard Shortcuts Not Working

Check if:

  • You are pressing the right keys

  • Your keyboard is set to the correct layout

  • The “Show Windows” key is functioning

3. External Keyboard Compatibility

Use F5 instead of the Chromebook “Show Windows” key.

4. Screen Capture Not Allowed

On school or corporate Chromebooks, administrators may restrict screenshot permissions.

You may need to contact your IT admin.

13. Tips for Taking Better Screenshots

To capture high-quality, professional-looking screenshots:

1. Clear any distracting tabs

Close unnecessary windows or switch to full-screen mode.

2. Use Clean Mode

Press:
Ctrl + Shift + F
to hide the shelf/taskbar.

3. Zoom for clarity

If text looks too small, zoom the page (Ctrl + +) before taking the screenshot.

4. Use partial captures

Avoid capturing unwanted areas of the screen.

5. Name and organize files

Renaming screenshots helps you find them later—especially for school or office uses.

14. Practical Uses for Chromebook Screenshots

Screenshots are useful in dozens of real-world scenarios.

For Students

  • Save homework examples

  • Capture test review questions

  • Document research

  • Share project ideas

  • Record tutorial steps

For Teachers

  • Create instructions

  • Provide feedback

  • Prepare lesson plans

  • Capture training materials

For Professionals

  • Document errors

  • Create presentations

  • Capture UI designs

  • Prepare reports

For Everyday Users

  • Save receipts

  • Capture images

  • Record troubleshooting steps

  • Share funny or interesting posts

Screenshots are a versatile tool for productivity and communication.

15. Conclusion

Taking a screenshot on a Chromebook is quick, simple, and flexible once you know your options. ChromeOS provides multiple ways to capture anything on your screen—whether you want a full image, a partial selection, a specific window, or a stylus capture. You can also organize, edit, annotate, and share your screenshots with ease.

By mastering these shortcuts and tools, you make your Chromebook experience more powerful and efficient. Screenshots help with communication, learning, collaboration, documentation—and they’re an essential part of modern digital life.