How to Take a Screenshot on a Chromebook: A Complete Guide
Chromebooks have become increasingly popular, especially in educational settings, due to their affordability and user-friendly interface. If you’re a Google Chromebook user, you may find yourself needing to capture what’s on your screen for various reasons, such as troubleshooting, sharing information, or documenting your work.
All About Taking Screenshot on a Chromebook
Method 1: Using the Keyboard Shortcut
Chrome OS comes equipped with a convenient keyboard shortcut to capture screenshots quickly. Follow these steps:
Press the Keys
- On your Chromebook keyboard, locate the following keys: Shift + Ctrl + Show. A rectangle icon next to two vertical lines frequently serves as the Show key’s visual representation.
- If your Chromebook has an external keyboard without a dedicated Show key, press Shift + Ctrl + F5 as an alternative.
Access the Menu
- After pressing the keyboard shortcut, a menu will appear at the bottom of your screen.
Select Screenshot Type
- Choose the type of screenshot you want to capture:
- Full-screen screenshot
- Partial screenshot (select a specific area)
- Window screenshot (capture a specific window)
Capture
- Click on the appropriate option to take a screenshot on a Chromebook.
Method 2: Utilizing the Screen Capture Tool in Quick Settings
Introduced in Chrome OS 89, Google added a screen capture tool to the Quick Settings menu, offering an alternative method
Open Quick Settings
- Located at the bottom right of your screen, click on the time to access the Quick Settings menu.
Select Screen Capture
- Within the Quick Settings menu, select the “Screen Capture” option.
Choose Capture Settings
- Ensure that the content you want to capture is currently displayed on your screen.
Choose the type of capture
- Fullscreen
- Single window
- Part of your screen
- Optionally, you can select to record some or all of your screen.
Click Capture
- Click on the “Capture” button to initiate the screenshot or screen recording.
Generalized Approach
<strong>Full-Screen Screenshot:</strong>
If you want to take a screenshot of your entire screen, simply press the ‘Ctrl’ key and the ‘Show windows’ key simultaneously. The ‘Show windows’ key is typically located at the top of the keyboard and looks like a rectangle with two lines on the right side.
<strong>Partial Screenshot:</strong>
In case you want to capture just a part of your screen, press the ‘Ctrl’, ‘Shift’, and ‘Show windows’ keys together. Your cursor will change into a crosshair. Click and drag this crosshair to select the area of the screen you would like to capture.
<strong>Finding Your Screenshots:</strong>
Once you’ve taken your screenshot, it will be automatically saved to your Downloads folder. To access it, click on the Launcher (located in the lower-left corner of your screen), then on the arrow icon to view all your apps. Scroll down until you find the ‘Files’ app and click on it. From there, navigate to ‘Downloads’, and you’ll see your screenshot.
<strong>Editing your screenshots:</strong>
If you want to edit your screenshot, open the image from your ‘Downloads’ folder and click on the pen icon in the top right corner to open the editing options. You can crop, rotate, adjust brightness, and more.
FAQs
<strong>How can I take a screenshot of my entire screen on a Chromebook?</strong>
Simply press the ‘Ctrl’ key and the ‘Show windows’ key at the same time. The ‘Show windows’ key looks like a rectangle with two lines on the right side.
<strong>How can I take a partial screenshot on a Chromebook?</strong>
To capture a portion of your screen, press the ‘Ctrl’, ‘Shift’, and ‘Show windows’ keys together. Your cursor will change into a crosshair, which you can then click and drag to select the area you want to capture.
<strong>Where are my screenshots saved on my Chromebook?</strong>
Screenshots are automatically saved to your Downloads folder. You can access this folder by clicking on the Launcher, then on the arrow icon to view all your apps, and scrolling down to find the ‘Files’ app.
<strong>Can I edit my screenshots directly on my Chromebook?</strong>
Yes, you can edit your screenshots on your Chromebook. Open the screenshot from your ‘Downloads’ folder and click on the pen icon in the top right corner to access the editing options.
<strong>What if the usual key combinations don't work on my Chromebook model?</strong>
The key combinations for taking screenshots may vary on different Chromebook models. If the usual combinations don’t work, check your user manual or the manufacturer’s website for specific instructions.
<strong>Can I change the location where my screenshots are saved?</strong>
By default, screenshots are saved in the Downloads folder on a Chromebook. However, you can move them to another location manually after they have been saved.
<strong>What format are screenshots saved in on a Chromebook?</strong>
Screenshots on a Chromebook are typically saved in the PNG format.
<strong>Are there any Chrome extensions for taking screenshots on a Chromebook?</strong>
Yes, there are several Chrome extensions available for taking screenshots on a Chromebook, such as “Lightshot” and “Awesome Screenshot.” You can find and install them from the Chrome Web Store.
<strong>How do I take a screenshot of the entire page in Chrome browser on a Chromebook?</strong>
To take a screenshot of the entire page in the Chrome browser on a Chromebook, press “Ctrl” + “Shift” + “F5” keys simultaneously. This captures a full-page screenshot of the current webpage.
<strong>Are there any apps or extensions for taking screenshots on a Chromebook?</strong>
While Chrome OS has built-in functionality for taking screenshots, there are also several apps and extensions available in the Chrome Web Store that offer additional features for capturing and editing screenshots on a Chromebook.
<strong>Can I take screenshots in tablet mode on a convertible Chromebook?</strong>
Yes, you can still take screenshots in tablet mode on a convertible Chromebook using the same key combinations as in laptop mode. However, the method for accessing these keys may vary depending on the specific device.
<strong>Is there a shortcut to take a screenshot of the entire page on my Chromebook?</strong>
Yes, you can take a screenshot of the entire page on a Chromebook by pressing “Ctrl” and “F5” keys simultaneously.
<strong>Can I edit screenshots on a Chromebook?</strong>
Yes, you can edit screenshots on a Chromebook using various image editing apps available in the Chrome Web Store. Alternatively, you can use built-in editing tools in some Chromebook models.
<strong>Where do screenshots go on a Chromebook?</strong>
Screenshots are automatically saved in the Downloads folder. You can access them using the Files app.
<strong>Can I take a partial screenshot on a Chromebook?</strong>
Yes, you can take a partial screenshot on a Chromebook by pressing “Ctrl” + “Shift” + “Show windows” keys, then selecting the area you want to capture with your cursor.
