How to Take a Screenshot on a Chromebook

Using the Keyboard Shortcut

One of the easiest ways to take a screenshot on a Chromebook is by using a keyboard shortcut. To take a full-screen screenshot, simply press the “Ctrl” and “Switch window” keys (the key with a rectangle and two vertical lines) at the same time. The screenshot will be saved to your Downloads folder.

If you want to take a partial screenshot, press “Ctrl,” “Shift,” and “Switch window” keys at the same time. This will turn your cursor into a crosshair. Click and drag the crosshair over the area you want to capture, and release the mouse button. The screenshot will be saved to your Downloads folder.

It’s important to note that the keyboard shortcut may vary depending on your specific Chromebook model. Be sure to check your device’s user manual or do a quick online search to confirm the correct keys to use.

Capturing a Partial Screenshot

If you need to take a screenshot of just a portion of your Chromebook screen, there’s a built-in tool that can help.

First, press the “Shift” and “Search” keys (the key with a magnifying glass) at the same time. This will bring up the partial screenshot tool. You’ll notice that your cursor has turned into a crosshair.

Next, click and drag the crosshair over the area you want to capture. As you drag the crosshair, you’ll see a small preview of the screenshot in the bottom right corner of your screen. Once you’ve captured the desired area, release the mouse button.

The partial screenshot will automatically be saved to your Downloads folder. If you want to take another screenshot, simply press “Ctrl” and “Shift” and “Show all windows” keys to open the partial screenshot tool again.

Taking a Full-Screen Screenshot

Capturing a full-screen screenshot on a Chromebook is a quick and easy process.

To take a screenshot of the entire screen, press the “Ctrl” and “Switch window” keys (the key with a rectangle and two vertical lines) at the same time. You’ll see a notification in the bottom right corner of the screen confirming that the screenshot has been saved.

The screenshot will automatically be saved to your Downloads folder, with a file name that includes the date and time of capture. If you want to access the screenshot right away, you can click on the notification to open it.

It’s worth noting that taking a full-screen screenshot using the keyboard shortcut will capture everything on your screen, including any open windows or tabs. If you only want to capture a specific window or tab, you may want to use the partial screenshot tool instead.

Using the Built-In Screen Capture Tool

Chromebooks also come with a built-in screen capture tool that you can access from the status area in the bottom right corner of the screen.

To access the tool, click on the time in the bottom right corner of the screen. This will bring up the status area. From there, click on the “Screenshot” icon, which looks like a camera.

Once you click on the “Screenshot” icon, you’ll be presented with several options. You can choose to capture the entire screen, a specific window, or a partial area. Simply select the option you want, and the screenshot will be captured.

The screenshot will automatically be saved to your Downloads folder, with a file name that includes the date and time of capture. If you want to access the screenshot right away, you can click on the notification that appears in the bottom right corner of the screen after the capture is complete.

Saving and Sharing Your Screenshot

After capturing a screenshot on your Chromebook, you may want to save it for future reference or share it with others.

To save the screenshot, open the “Files” app on your Chromebook, and navigate to the “Downloads” folder. Your screenshot should be there, with a file name that includes the date and time of capture. From there, you can move the screenshot to a different folder or rename it if you wish.

To share the screenshot, you can simply attach it to an email, chat message, or social media post. You can also use a cloud storage service like Google Drive or Dropbox to upload and share the screenshot.

If you frequently take screenshots on your Chromebook, it may be helpful to create a folder specifically for them. This can help you keep your screenshots organized and easy to find.