How to Take a Screenshot on a Chromebook

Screenshots are an essential tool for various purposes, from troubleshooting technical issues to capturing ideas for your next project. The process of taking a screenshot varies across different devices and operating systems, including Chromebooks and ChromeOS.

This article provides a detailed guide on how to take a screenshot on a Chromebook.

Screenshot on a Chromebook with a Keyboard Shortcut

For many years, the screenshot tool on Chromebooks was basic and could only be launched using a keyboard shortcut that wasn’t very obvious. However, Google introduced a new screenshot tool that allows you to capture both images and video clips from your Chromebook screen.

To launch this Screen Capture tool, you need to press a three-key shortcut: Shift+Ctrl+Show Windows. The Show Windows key is located on the top row of the keyboard and has an icon resembling a window with two windows stacked behind it. Pressing these three keys will bring up the toolbar at the bottom of the screen.

If you want to quickly capture your entire screen instead of a specific region or window, you can simply press Ctrl+Show Windows. These keyboard shortcuts work on any Chromebook model. Some Chromebooks also have a dedicated Screen Capture key on the top row of the keyboard, usually marked with a camera icon. Pressing this key will automatically launch the Screen Capture tool.

Screenshot on a Chromebook from Quick Settings

If you find it challenging to remember shortcut keys, Google has provided an alternative. A Screen Capture shortcut button has been added to the Quick Settings panel. To access this, click on the time on Chrome’s Shelf to bring up the Quick Settings menu. Click or tap on Screen Capture to launch the toolbar.

Using the Screenshot Toolbar

The Screen Capture toolbar offers more than just screenshots; it can also capture screen recordings. The toggle to switch between stills and video is located on the far left of the toolbar. Next to this toggle, you have options to take a full-screen screenshot, a partial screenshot of a specific area, or a screenshot of a specific window.

These options apply to both photos and videos. Additionally, clicking on the settings cog on the toolbar allows you to turn the microphone on or off while recording your screen, making it easy to add narration to your captures.

Where Screenshots are Saved on a Chromebook

Once you take a screenshot or recording, it’s immediately accessible from the Clipboard, which stores the last five items you saved. To view these, press the Everything button (also known as the Search key) plus V.

Your Chromebook also features a holding spot on the Shelf called Tote, where you’ll find your most recent screenshots. You can pin files to Tote, ensuring that important screenshots are always ready to open without having to search for them.

Screenshots that are no longer saved on the Clipboard can be found in your files. Open the Files app on your Chromebook to find your screenshots in the Images folder and screen recordings in the Videos folder.