How to Take a Screenshot on Your Chromebook

Many users believe owning a Chromebook is like walking around with a portable browser, but we are here to tell you that it’s a lot more than that! You can do everything that you do on your laptop on your beloved Chromebook as well. Save files, split screens, play games — and if you’re wondering if you can capture screenshots, you’re in luck.

We’re going to show you how to screenshot on Chromebook today. Keep reading!

How to Screenshot on Chromebook

Yes, your Chromebook comes with a built-in “Screen Capture” function! To screenshot on Chromebooks, follow these steps:

1. Press the Ctrl and Switch Window keys simultaneously. Your screen will flash to indicate a screenshot was saved to the Downloads folder.
2. If you want to screenshot just a part of the page, press Ctrl+Shift+Switch Window — this will turn the cursor into a crosshair that you can click and drag to select the area you want to screenshot.
3. If you use a tablet or 2-in-1 Chromebook, press the Power and Volume Down keys simultaneously.
4. There are also multiple Chrome Webstore extensions that let you take a screenshot with a couple of clicks.

And that’s how you take screenshots on Chrome OS!

When are Screenshots useful?

So there are quite a few ways you can take a screenshot on a Chromebook. But when exactly would you need to take screenshots? Below are some situations.

• Capturing errors: If you come across an error message on your Chromebook (maybe when using an app), taking a screenshot can help you capture the exact error message, making it easier to troubleshoot the problem.
• Sharing information: If you need to share information with someone, taking a quick screenshot of a website, document, or image can be a convenient way to convey the information.
• Saving information: You may want to save information that is only available on your screen for future reference. Taking a screenshot lets you save an image of the information. It’s also convenient for times when you want to send the screenshot to someone and then delete it, as that saves you space as well.
• Demonstrating a process: If you are creating a tutorial, instructional video, or presentation, taking screenshots can be an effective way to document the process step-by-step.
• Recording evidence: In a legal situation, taking a screenshot can provide evidence of what was displayed on the screen at a particular time.
• Saving social media content: If you want to save a post, comment, or conversation from an app like Facebook or Twitter, taking a screenshot is often the easiest way to create fire memes.
• Providing feedback: When reporting an issue or providing feedback on a website or app, taking a screenshot can help illustrate the problem or provide context for the feedback.

Need to make room on your Chromebook? Here’s how you can delete files on a Chromebook once you’re done with them.

Taking a Screenshot on a Chromebook

There are a few ways you can capture your screen on a Chromebook. Let’s look at them now.

Take a Chromebook screenshot with Keyboard Shortcuts

To take a screenshot, follow these steps:

1. Press the “Ctrl” and “Switch Window” keys (located above the number 6) at the same time.
2. Your screen will flash, indicating that a screenshot has been taken.
3. The screenshot will be saved to your Downloads folder by default. You can access it by clicking on the Files app and then going to Downloads.

Do you wish to take a partial screenshot instead? We get it because we do those too! You can do the same by following these steps:

1. Press the Ctrl+Shift+Switch Window keys simultaneously.
2. This will turn your cursor into a crosshair.
3. Click and drag to select the portion of the screen you want to capture.
4. Release the mouse button, and your screen will flash to indicate a screenshot was taken.
5. Again, the screenshot will be saved to your Downloads folder, by default.

Here’s a video guide to the above method:

Screenshot on Chromebook with Hardware Buttons

What if you don’t want to use a keyboard or own a tablet or a 2-in-1 Chromebook instead? We’ve got you covered! Screenshots are possible on such Chromebooks as well, and the process is just as simple as using the keyboard shortcuts. Here are the steps:

1. Locate the Power and Volume Down buttons on your device.
2. Press and release both these buttons simultaneously, as you would on a smartphone.
3. As in the earlier examples, you can find your screenshots in the Downloads folder.

Taking a Screenshot on Chromebook using a Stylus

If you own a stylus, you get a bonus method to grab a screenshot. Look for the pen icon next to the clock on your system toolbar (if you don’t see you, you have to navigate to Settings > Device > Stylus > Show stylus tools on the shelf and tap the toggle button).

Once you tap on this pen icon, you will see a pop-up menu (shown above) appear with icons that allow you to capture the whole page or part of it or even start a screen-recording session on your Chromebook. 

Select the appropriate icon and yes, this screenshot will also be saved to your Downloads folder!

Also Read: Here’s why updating your Chromebook is important, and how to do it.

Use a Chrome Extension to Take a Screenshot

This is probably our favorite method because you can snap a screenshot with a single click of your mouse button.

To take a screenshot using a Chrome extension, you can follow these steps:

1. Open a Chrome browser and go to the Chrome Web Store.
2. Search for a screenshot extension that you can use.
3. We did our own search and opted for the ones with the most reviews — GoFullPage, Nimbus Screenshot, or Vimeo Record (yes, from the video-hosting site).
4. Next, you have to click “Add to Chrome” to install the extension.
5. Once the extension is installed, click on its icon in the toolbar.
6. You will now have to choose the type of screenshot you want to take. You can opt for a full-screen capture or some part of a webpage. Most extensions also allow you to capture the entire webpage by scrolling automatically.
7. Follow the on-screen instructions provided by the extension to take the screenshot.
8. After taking the screenshot, you’ll have options to modify or save it.

Note that different extensions may have slightly different instructions for taking a screenshot, but all extensions provide clear instructions provided, as long as you pay attention!

Where are Chromebook screenshots saved?

On a Chromebook, screenshots are saved in the Downloads folder by default.

To locate your screenshots:

1. Click on the “Launcher” button (it looks like a circle within a circle — circleception!) located in the bottom left corner of the screen. On older Chromebooks, you can simply press the Launcher button on your keyboard (above the Shift key).
2. Click on the Files app to open the file manager.
3. On the left pane of the window, click on Downloads to view all the files downloaded on your Chromebook.
4. Look for the screenshot file and open it to view or share.

But what if you want to change the default location for your screenshots? For example, you might want to quickly access the screenshots from a folder on your desktop.

You can do so by going to Chromebook settings and then Device > Displays > Device > Keyboard > Screen capture. From here, you can choose a new location to save your screenshots.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the command key for screenshot on Chromebook?

There is no command key for screenshots on Chromebook — you do, however, have a key combination, and that is Ctrl+Window Switch. To capture a part of your screen, press Ctrl+Shift+Window Switch and click and drag your mouse to select the target area.

How do you take a screenshot on a Chromebook without a Windows key?

Luckily, you don’t need the Windows key to screenshot on a Chromebook! All you need to do is press the Ctrl and Window Switch keys simultaneously, and a screenshot will be saved to your Downloads folder. Another method for tablet and 2-in-1 Chromebooks is to press and hold the Power and Volume Down keys together.

Does Chrome have a screen capture tool?

Chromebooks do come with a built-in screen capture tool. To use it, press and hold Ctrl+Window Switch on your keyboard. This will save a copy of your screen to your Downloads folder. On a touchscreen Chrome, you could also press the Power and Volume Down keys on the side of the device to snap a screen capture.

Conclusion

That wraps up our guide on how to screenshot on Chromebook! We hope the methods we listed here today helped make your life a bit easier (who doesn’t love screenshots!) and that you captured all the screenshots you wanted.

Have any questions for us? We always reply to comments!