No affiliate links or sponsorship, and BravoTech isn’t affiliated with Google. The steps follow Chromebook Help and Chrome Enterprise and Education Help, checked October 15, 2026. We didn’t take screenshots on a Chromebook for this guide. More how-to guides.
Quick answer
To take a screenshot on a Chromebook, press Ctrl + Show windows for a full screen, or Shift + Ctrl + Show windows for a partial or window capture (or open Screen capture from Quick Settings). Screenshots are copied to the clipboard and saved to your Downloads folder by default. On a tablet, press Power + Volume down.
Key takeaways
- Ctrl + Show windows captures the full screen.
- Shift + Ctrl + Show windows opens Screen capture for partial, window, or full options.
- No Show windows key? Google documents Ctrl + Shift + F5 on an external keyboard.
- Saved to Downloads by default; you can change the folder in Screen capture Settings.
- School or work Chromebooks: an admin can disable screenshots.
How we wrote this guide
Built from Google’s documentation, read on October 15, 2026 (PKT): Chromebook Help’s Screen capture and keyboard shortcuts pages, plus Chrome Enterprise and Education Help on admin screenshot policies. We didn’t capture a Chromebook screen for this guide and use no screenshots of our own. Key names follow Google’s wording (Show windows / Show Windows).
Chromebook screenshot shortcuts
Google lists these shortcuts in Chromebook keyboard shortcuts and the capture steps in Take a screenshot or record your screen:
| Keys or buttons | What it does | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ctrl + Show windows | Full-screen screenshot | Show windows is the key that looks like a rectangle with two lines (overview) |
| Shift + Ctrl + Show windows | Opens Screen capture; then choose full, partial, or window | Space bar can change the capture section; Tab and arrows resize a partial area |
| Ctrl + Shift + F5 | Opens Screen capture on an external keyboard without Show windows | Documented by Google for external keyboards |
| Power + Volume down | Screenshot on tablets | Listed under popular shortcuts |
| Quick Settings > Screen capture | Same Screen capture toolbar without a shortcut | Select the time at the bottom right, then Screen capture |
How to use the Screen capture tool
Google’s Screen capture page covers screenshots and recordings in one toolbar (Chromebook Help 10474268).
- Open Screen capture. Press Shift + Ctrl + Show windows, or select the time at the bottom right, then Screen capture. If your Chromebook has a Screenshot key, you can press that instead.
- Select Screenshot in the menu at the bottom (not Screen record).
- Choose an option: Take a full screen screenshot, Take a partial screenshot, or Take a window screenshot.
- Finish the capture. For partial, drag (or use Tab and arrow keys to resize). For window, click the window. Google notes screenshots are automatically copied to your clipboard.
Good to know
After you capture, you can review, delete, or share the image from the notification or from Files. Google also notes recordings and screenshots are copied to the clipboard.
Keyboards without a Show windows key
If your Chromebook has no Screenshot key, Google says you can open Screen capture from Quick Settings (time > Screen capture) or press Shift + Ctrl + Show windows. On an external keyboard that doesn’t have a Show windows key, press Ctrl + Shift + F5 (Chromebook Help).
If you use a Windows or Mac keyboard with your Chromebook, Google’s shortcuts page says to press the Windows key or Command key instead of Search or Launcher for shortcuts that need those keys (keyboard shortcuts). For screenshots, prefer Ctrl + Show windows / Ctrl + Shift + F5 as documented on the Screen capture page.
How to screenshot in tablet mode
Google’s popular shortcuts list: Take a screenshot on tablets: Press Power button + Volume down button (Chromebook Help 183101). For more screenshot features on tablets, Google says: press and hold the Power button, then select Screen capture, or select the time and then Screen capture.
Where screenshots are saved (and how to change it)
By default, recordings and screenshots are saved to your Downloads folder (Chromebook Help). To pick another folder:
- Press Shift + Ctrl + Show windows to open Screen capture.
- At the bottom, select Settings, then Select folder.
- Choose the folder. New screenshots and recordings go there.
Open the Files app (or press Ctrl + J for Downloads in Chrome) if you need to find a recent capture quickly.
Can’t take a screenshot on a school or work Chromebook?
On managed ChromeOS devices, an administrator can turn screenshots off. Chrome Enterprise and Education Help shows a Screenshot policy under Content: admins can select Do not allow users to take screenshots or video recordings (or Disable screenshot in managed guest session settings) (Use Chromebooks for student assessments). ChromeOS data controls can also block screen capture (screenshots and video capture) with Allow, Warn, Report, or Block rules (ChromeOS data controls).
If shortcuts and Screen capture do nothing on a school or work Chromebook, ask your IT admin whether screenshot or screen-capture policy is blocking you. There isn’t a student-side override.
Need a screen recording instead?
From the same Screen capture toolbar, choose Screen record, then full screen, partial, or window. Google documents microphone and device-audio options in Settings on that toolbar (Chromebook Help). For a full walkthrough with troubleshooting, use our live guide: How to screen record on a Chromebook.
FAQ
Where do screenshots go on a Chromebook?
To your Downloads folder by default. You can change the folder in Screen capture Settings > Select folder. Captures are also copied to the clipboard.
How do I screenshot on a Chromebook without the Show windows key?
Open Screen capture from Quick Settings (select the time, then Screen capture), or on an external keyboard press Ctrl + Shift + F5, as Google documents.
Why can’t I screenshot on my school Chromebook?
Your school’s Google Admin can disable screenshots and video recordings with a Screenshot policy or ChromeOS data controls. Ask your IT admin if capture is blocked.
How do I take a screenshot of part of the screen?
Press Shift + Ctrl + Show windows, select Screenshot, then Take a partial screenshot, and drag the area. Space bar can switch sections; Tab and arrows can resize.
How do I copy a screenshot to the clipboard?
Google says screenshots and recordings are automatically copied to the clipboard when you capture them. Paste with Ctrl + V.
Sources
Every step in this guide is linked to Google’s documentation. All pages were checked on October 15, 2026 (PKT).
Show all 4 sources
Changelog
- October 15, 2026: First version from Chromebook Help and Chrome Enterprise admin docs. Covers Ctrl/Shift+Ctrl+Show windows, Ctrl+Shift+F5, tablet Power+Volume down, Downloads save location, and admin screenshot policies. No hands-on testing and no screenshots of our own.
Related reads
