A Chromebook does not use the Windows key for screenshots. ChromeOS gives you Screen Capture, Chromebook shortcuts, tablet buttons, and stylus tools, so you can grab the whole screen, one area, or a single window without that key. Start with Quick Settings if you want the cleanest route, then use the option that matches your keyboard or device mode.
Open Screen Capture from Quick Settings
This fixes Chromebook screenshots when you want the most reliable method without any keyboard shortcut.
Select the time at the bottom right of your screen to open Quick Settings.
Select Screen Capture.
In the toolbar at the bottom, select Screenshot.
Choose Take a full screen screenshot, Take a partial screenshot, or Take a window screenshot.
Use Show windows when there is no Screenshot key
The most common cause is that your Chromebook keyboard does not have a dedicated Screenshot key.
Look for the Show windows key on the top row.
Press Shift + Ctrl + Show windows to open the Screen Capture toolbar.
Select Screenshot.
Choose Take a full screen screenshot, Take a partial screenshot, or Take a window screenshot.
For a direct full-screen screenshot, press Ctrl + Show windows.
Choose full screen, partial, or window capture
Use Take a full screen screenshot when you want everything currently visible on the Chromebook display.
Use Take a partial screenshot when you only need one area. With the keyboard shortcut method, press Shift + Ctrl + Show windows, then select and drag over the area.
Use Take a window screenshot from the Screen Capture toolbar when you want one app or browser window instead of the whole screen.
Switch to F5 on an external keyboard
This fixes screenshots when you are using a PC-style external keyboard that does not have a Chromebook Show windows key.
Press Ctrl + Shift + F5 to open Screen Capture.
In the toolbar at the bottom, select Screenshot.
Choose Take a full screen screenshot, Take a partial screenshot, or Take a window screenshot.
Press the dedicated Screenshot key
Use this shortcut when your Chromebook includes a dedicated Screenshot key.
- 1.Press the Screenshot key.
- 2.In the toolbar at the bottom, select Screenshot.
- 3.Select Take a full screen screenshot, Take a partial screenshot, or Take a window screenshot.
Capture in tablet mode
The most common cause on a Chromebook tablet or convertible is that the keyboard is folded away or unavailable.
Press the Power button and Volume down button together to take a screenshot in tablet mode.
For more screenshot controls, press and hold the Power button.
Select Screen capture.
You can also select the time, then select Screen capture.
Use stylus tools on supported Chromebooks
On a touchscreen Chromebook that works with a stylus, tap Stylus on the desktop, then tap Capture screen for a full-screen screenshot.
For a partial screenshot, tap Stylus, then tap Capture region. Touch and hold the screen with the stylus, drag over the area you want, and release to finish the screenshot.
If Stylus is hidden, tap Stylus, open Settings, and turn on Show stylus tools in the shelf. If this method fails, use Screen Capture from Quick Settings instead.
Capture part of a web page
Chrome DevTools can capture website content when you need a page area rather than the whole Chromebook desktop.
Open Chrome DevTools, then open the Command Menu by pressing Control + Shift + P. You can also select Customize and control DevTools, then Run command.
Type screenshot, select Capture area screenshot, and drag to select the part of the page you want. Capture area screenshot does not work when Chrome DevTools is undocked from the window.
Check whether school or work blocks screenshots
Use these checks when Screen Capture and keyboard shortcuts do nothing on a managed Chromebook.
- 1.Try Screen Capture from Quick Settings.
- 2.Try Ctrl + Show windows for a full-screen screenshot.
- 3.Try Shift + Ctrl + Show windows for the screenshot toolbar.
- 4.Contact your school or workplace admin if every screenshot method is blocked.
A managed Chromebook can have screenshots disabled by an administrator. When that policy is disabled, keyboard shortcuts, apps, and extensions covered by the policy cannot take screenshots.
Older Windows PC instructions do not apply here. The current ChromeOS methods are Screen Capture, Chromebook shortcuts, tablet buttons, and Stylus tools.
Frequently Asked Questions
What key replaces the Windows key for screenshots on Chromebook?
Use the Show windows key. Press Ctrl + Show windows for a full-screen screenshot, or Shift + Ctrl + Show windows to open Screen Capture.
How do I screenshot on a Chromebook keyboard with no Show windows key?
On an external keyboard without Show windows, press Ctrl + Shift + F5 to open Screen Capture, then choose full screen, partial, or window screenshot.
Can I take a Chromebook screenshot without using the keyboard?
Yes. Open Quick Settings from the time at the bottom right and select Screen Capture. In tablet mode, press Power + Volume down.
Why are screenshots not working on my school Chromebook?
A managed Chromebook can have screenshots blocked by an administrator. If Screen Capture and the shortcuts all fail, contact your school or workplace admin.
