How to Screenshot on Chromebook: The One Guide You Need
Explore how to screenshot on a Chromebook. Learn different shortcuts and other tricks to capture and store screenshots as and when required. Read on.
Hello readers! Do you have trouble saving an important web page, capturing an error message, or doing something else interesting on your Chromebook without knowing which keys to press? You are definitely not the only one with such problems. Most of the people who use Chromebooks for the first time have trouble making screenshots since the operating system differs from both Windows and macOS.
Luckily, taking screenshots on your Chromebook is easy and fast if you know all the methods to do that. Whatever you need – a screenshot of the whole desktop, a particular window, or a selected area – there is an option to take it with a few clicks without any additional installations.
In this article, you will learn everything about ‘how to screenshot on Chromebook’. We'll cover methods based on keyboard shortcuts, Quick Settings, Screen Capture tools, and brand-specific methods. So read on to know how to take a screenshot on a Chromebook.
Why are Screenshots Important on a Chromebook?
A screenshot is an excellent way to capture images that convey information quickly. They are used by students who take lessons online, by professionals who want to take screenshots of their presentations or reports, and others who wish to take pictures of their recipes or chat history.
There are many types of screenshots that can be taken with ChromeOS, giving people the opportunity to pick the one that fits their needs. You must know things like how to take a screenshot on a Chromebook with the keyboard.
How to Take a Screenshot on Chromebook: Quick Answer
Whole screenshot: Use the Screenshot button or press Ctrl + Windows key
Partial screenshot: Use Shift + Ctrl + Windows key
Window screenshot: Click on Screen Capture and select Window
Tablet screenshot: Use Power + Volume down button
External keyboard: Use Ctrl + F5 for a whole screenshot and Ctrl + Shift + F5 for a partial screenshot
How to Screenshot on an HP Chromebook?
Making screenshots on a Chromebook can be done easily using the built-in Screen Capture options.
Press the Screenshot button if your Chromebook has one.
If your Chromebook lacks a Screenshot button, click on Quick settings, and then choose Screen capture. Alternatively, press Shift + Ctrl + Show windows.
Select which mode you would like to use to create your screenshot: full-screen capture, partial area capture, or capturing one window only.
For the full screen, select full-screen capture, and then click anywhere on the screen if it is required.
This is how to take a screenshot on a Chromebook.
You are just required to follow each step carefully. Upon following these steps, you will easily be able to take a screenshot on an HP Chromebook.
Your screenshot will be saved automatically, and then you will be able to open, copy, edit, and even share it.
If you like to use old shortcuts for making a screenshot, press Ctrl + Show windows for the full-screen shot immediately.
How to Make a Partial Screenshot on Your Chromebook?
In case you need only a portion of the screen captured, you can opt for the partial screenshot function.
Use the key combination of Shift + Ctrl + Show windows to start the Screen Capture utility, or click the Screenshot key followed by selecting the partial screenshot function.
Draw a selection box around the area you need.
Release the mouse button to make the screenshot.
This method is definitely the best in terms of quality.
How to Make a Windows Screenshot on a Chromebook?
ChromeOS allows you to take a snapshot of only one app window, not of the whole screen.
Click on the Screen Capture toolbar.
Pick a window from the list.
Select the window you need.
This comes in handy if you need an uncluttered screenshot for instructions, a school assignment, a message, etc., and you don’t want to cut out other parts of the screen later.
Where are Screenshots Saved in Chromebooks?
Chromebooks store screenshots locally.
They may be stored in the Downloads section of the Files application or in Images, depending on how you have set up your computer.
When screenshots are captured very frequently, it may be useful to check out the Screen Capture settings to understand where your files will be stored. This way, you do not need to capture the image and start investigating its whereabouts afterward.
How to Change the Storage Location for Screenshots?
Other than knowing how to screenshot on a Dell Chromebook, you should also know the storage location where screenshots are saved.
In case you would like to store the file somewhere else other than the default location, there is an option to change this in the Screen Capture settings.
Access the Screen Capture via the Screenshot key or Shift+Ctrl+Show windows.
Go to the Capture Settings.
Choose the folder where you want to save your screenshots going forward.
It becomes very handy when you transfer your screenshots to Google Drive or keep your project files in one folder.
How to Make a Screenshot on a Chromebook Tablet?
For those using their Chromebook in tablet mode, the easiest way is to use the hardware button combination to take a screenshot.
Use the button combination of pressing Power + Volume down simultaneously.
Your Chromebook will automatically take a screenshot of the whole screen.
In fact, the process is quite similar to how you would take a screenshot on an Android phone, especially considering that both systems have been stealing homework from each other for years.
How to Make a Screenshot with a Stylus on a Chromebook?
If your Chromebook has stylus input support, you can use that to take screenshots as well.
Open the Stylus or Pen menu.
Pick either Capture screen (to take a full screenshot) or Capture region (for a partial screenshot).
In case of region capture, drag your stylus over the part of the screen you wish to capture.
This is a good feature for 2-in-1 devices, where it is awkward to reach for a hardware combination.
How to Make a Screenshot with An External Keyboard?
If you have an external keyboard that does not feature the top row keys designed specifically for Chromebooks, the shortcut will be a little different.
Hit Ctrl + F5 for a complete screenshot.
Hit Ctrl + Shift + F5 for a partial screenshot.
This is also the process to follow for a ChromeOS device, such as a Chromebox, that may feature a keyboard similar to that used in a typical PC.
Steps to Share/Edit Screenshot on the Chromebook
Editing or sharing of your screenshot after capturing is done by opening the screenshot in the Files app.
First, open the “Files” application and access either the “Downloads” or “Images” folder.
Pick your screenshot to modify or share.
The image editing capabilities you have will enable you to do things like rotate or crop your screenshot.
You can save or share your screenshot via an email message or other applications.
In general, the built-in tools suffice. Only advanced annotations and full-page website screenshots require third-party tools.
Best Screenshot Tools for Chromebook
While the built-in tools work perfectly fine, some additional apps are also available.
Lightshot
An easy application to take region screenshots and make basic edits.
FireShot
Great choice to capture an entire webpage in one screenshot without having to stitch several images together.
Awesome Screenshot and Screen Recorder
Best if you want to use both annotations and blurring, as well as recording the screen at the same time.
GoFullPage
A reliable choice if you want to save an entire webpage as an image or a PDF document.
The extra capabilities provided by such applications may not be very critical for most people in their day-to-day undertakings.
How to Troubleshoot Common Problems?
Not able to save screenshot: Ensure that you have sufficient storage space.
You may need to make room in your Chromebook or alter the save destination to be in Google Drive. Rebooting the machine will also help to solve any temporary problem.
Not Finding a Screen Capture Bar
Your ChromeOS should be the latest one since the screen capture toolbar is compatible with a fairly recent version of ChromeOS.
Keyboard Shortcuts are Not Working
Use F5 in place of the ‘Show Windows’ key for all your shortcuts.
Essential Tips to Consider to Capture Better Screenshots
Better-quality screenshots look cleaner and convey information better.
Make sure you minimize any tabs that are not necessary before taking a screenshot.
Zoom in on the screen if the text is too tiny to read.
Take only a portion of the screen if you can, rather than the whole screen.
Well-organized screenshots are always easier to decipher.
Conclusion
It is way easier than most people think to take a screenshot on a Chromebook. If you want to take a picture of the whole screen, part of the screen, or a particular window, then there is software that is built into Chrome OS that can help you with this task. Once you get used to the available shortcuts and the Screen Capture menu, taking screenshots will not be a problem.
If you have been looking for how to screenshot on a Chromebook, then this guide provides you with all the information you need. From various methods of taking a screenshot to taking a screenshot on brand-specific Chromebooks such as HP, Dell, Lenovo, and Google, you now have everything you need.
Hence, you also now have the answer to the question, ‘how to screenshot on Lenovo Chromebook’, or ‘how to screenshot on Google Chromebook’.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Q1. How can I do the ‘how to screenshot on Chromebook’ the fastest way?
Use Ctrl + Show Windows to make a screenshot of your whole screen instantly.
Q2. In which folder will my screenshots be saved on Chromebook?
Usually, the images are saved automatically in Downloads.
Q3. How can I make a screenshot of some part of the screen?
Shift + Ctrl + Show Windows, select the required area.
Q4. Are there guides on how to create a screenshot on Chromebooks for all the brands of Chromebooks?
Yes, ChromeOS allows creating screenshots in the same manner on HP, Dell, Lenovo, Acer, ASUS, and Google Chromebooks.
Q5. How to take a screenshot on Chromebook without Windows key?
You can do it using using keyboard shortcuts, or screen shortcuts menu.