How to Take a Screenshot on Chromebook
Capture your full screen or a selected region using built-in shortcuts.
Last verified: February 21, 2026
Chromebook replaces the traditional Print Screen key with a dedicated Show Windows key — the key showing overlapping rectangles — which doubles as the screenshot trigger. The shortcut Ctrl + Show Windows captures the full screen instantly to the clipboard and Downloads folder, while Ctrl + Shift + Show Windows opens a floating toolbar letting you choose between partial region, specific window, or full-screen capture. Captures open automatically in the Gallery app where you can crop, annotate, and share without any additional software.
Quick Steps
Follow in order for the fastest result.
- 1Press Ctrl + Show Windows key. The screenshot saves to the Downloads folder automatically.
- 2Open the screenshot from the notification bar or Screenshots / Desktop folder to verify it captured correctly.
- 3Rename and move the file to your preferred location.
Still Not Working?
Try these if the steps above didn't help.
- If the shortcut does nothing, open the Snipping Tool, Screenshot app, or Markup tool directly from the app list.
- Ensure no other app has reassigned the screenshot shortcut in its preferences.
- Restart the device and retry if the capture overlay never appears.
Verify the Fix
Confirm everything is fully working before closing this guide.
- Open the saved file and confirm it shows the correct screen content with no corruption.
- Verify the file saves as PNG or JPG with a readable file name.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Chromebook have a built-in screenshot tool?
Where do screenshots save on Chromebook?
Why is my screenshot shortcut not working on Chromebook?
Can I take a screenshot on Chromebook without a keyboard?
Same task, different device
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