How to take a screenshot on a Chromebook comes down to a couple of keyboard shortcuts. We’ve rounded up what these shortcuts are, along with a list of tips for what to do with them on Chrome OS.
Further reading
How to take a full screenshot on a Chromebook
To take a screenshot of everything on your screen, press the following keys at the same time: Ctrl + Show windows.
The last button is usually located in the top row between File Screen zoom And Lower the brightness buttons, as shown above. It looks like a rectangle followed by two lines and replaces the form F5 key found on standard keyboards.
How to upload screenshots to the cloud
Once both keys are pressed, a notification appears in the lower right corner showing a thumbnail of the screen, as shown above. Selecting the thumbnail leads you to downloads folder, which is where all screenshots go by default, making them available offline. You can also access screenshots by selecting the blue color files Folder style icon on the shelf and choose either the pictures or downloads.
Chrome OS labels all screenshots with the date and time they were taken.
Since Chrome OS saves screenshots locally on your device, they will not be available on Google Drive unless you manually upload them to the cloud. to do this. Follow next steps:
Step 1: open the files application, and select either the pictures or downloads listed on the left.
Step 2: Choose the screenshot you want to upload. For multiple uploads, select File verification code On each screenshot (thumbnail view) or draw a box around the files with your mouse or touchpad (list view).
Step 3: Select a file Involved located in the upper right-hand side of the screen.
The fourth step: He chooses Save to drive in the dropdown list. As shown below, you can send the screenshot to other accounts, such as OneDrive and Dropbox. Read our guide on how to use Google Drive for more helpful tips.
If you have a Chromebook with a 360-degree hinge like the Pixelbook, go to the “Screenshots in tablet mode” section of this guide for an alternative touch method.
How to capture a specific area for a screenshot on a Chromebook
In addition to the full screenshot, you can create a window to take a screenshot of part of the screen using Ctrl + Shift + Show windows abbreviation.
Step 1: Hold down Ctrl + Shift At the same time, then press display windows button.
Step 2: The screen dims, and the cursor temporarily changes to a cross. Use the crosshair to start one corner of the capture area and hold down the mouse or touchpad button.
Step 3: Drag the pointer across the screen with your mouse or your finger until you create a square.
The fourth step: Release the mouse button or lift your finger to complete the square and capture the screen.
Fifth step: The captured window is saved to a file the pictures And downloads Folders, such as a full screenshot.
NB: If you’re running Chrome OS 88 or later and you’ve enabled the new Screen Capture utility with tags, you’ll see the new toolbar appear at the bottom of the screen with screenshot And partial buttons selected by default. You will also see buttons to switch to full screen mode or window mode.
How to take screenshots in tablet mode using the buttons
Many 2-in-1s and tablets running Chrome OS may not have instant keyboard access. Don’t worry; There is a handy screenshot shortcut that you can use in tablet mode.
Step 1: Press the following physical buttons simultaneously: Power + Volume Down.
Step 2: Screenshot records your screen and takes a picture of the entire screen.
PhotoMIX Company / Pixabay
How to take full screenshots in tablet mode with a pen
Follow these steps to take a screenshot in tablet mode with a pen.
Step 1: He chooses pencil (or pencil).
Step 2: Use the pen to select capture screen option. This takes a screenshot of your entire screen.
How to take partial capture screenshots in tablet mode with a pen
Want to capture just a portion of your screen in tablet mode with a stylus? Follow these steps:
Step 1: He chooses pencil (or pencil).
Step 2: Use the pen to select capture area option.
Step 3: Use the stylus to touch and hold the starting point on the screen.
The fourth step: Drag your pencil to the last point, and create a square.
Fifth step: Release to take your screenshot.
Edit screenshots
Screenshots captured by Chrome OS are ready to be shared, but if you need to edit them first, familiarize yourself with the built-in image editor. Here’s how to use it:
Step 1: Select the color blue files Folder icon on the shelf and select the pictures or downloads listed on the left.
Step 2: Select your screenshot to open it in the Gallery app. If it is not your default image viewer, right-click on the file and select Gallery from the pop-up menu.
Step 3: along the top of Gallery application, you will see a toolbar with the following tools: crop and rotate, Re-scaleAnd lighting filters. Each tool opens a panel on the right side, offering adjustable settings. For example, file lighting filters The tool provides sliders for exposure, interview, And saturationas shown above.
The fourth step: In addition to the three main editing tools, you’ll see buttons to undo and redo any changes you make.
Fifth step: When you’re done, click the blue button Memorizes button to save the modifications in the original file.
Sixth step: Instead, click the blue button down arrow Icon to save the edited image as a modified version.
Use of external keyboards
If you’re using a Chrome OS desktop (Chromebox) or an external keyboard attached to your Chromebook, your keyboard is likely to use the standard row of function keys instead of Chrome’s custom row of buttons. Here are the Chrome OS commands that replace typical function key commands:
- F1 – previous page
- F2 – next page
- F3 – Refresh
- F4 – full screen
- F5 – Show windows
- F6 – decrease brightness
- F7 – increase brightness
- F8 – mute
- F9 – decrease the volume
- F10 – Increase the volume
Step 1: To take a screenshot, type Ctrl + F5 on a standard keyboard.
Step 2: For a partial capture, tap Ctrl + Shift First, followed F5.
Step 3: You can also customize the shortcut by pressing Alt + Shift + SAnd
The fourth step: Then select Settings > Device > Keyboard. There, you can change the function of your keys.
Other screenshot tools
The built-in photo tools in Chrome OS are a bit weak, but there are plenty of apps and extensions in Google’s Chrome Web Store to help add functionality. Here are some helpful choices:
LightshotLightshot is a great option for beginners that lets you drag and drop a screenshot over any section of the screen. You can edit the screenshot in place, then download or send it to the cloud. It is easy to use and widely applicable for most purposes.
Fire a shot: Save an entire page as an image without multiple screenshots. You can save in multiple formats and send directly to OneNote or email.
Great screenshot and screen recorderFor those who want a broader and more powerful tool, Awesome Screenshot and Screen Recorder lets you choose between screen capture and screen recording so you can also capture video whenever you want. The application supports annotations and easy obfuscation as well.
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