How To Take A Screenshot On A Chromebook
How to take a screenshot on Chromebook: Google Chrome OS looks and feels different if you usually use Windows or Mac OS. That means taking a screenshot is a bit different on a Chromebook. Read on to find out how to take full and partial Screenshots, how to take screenshots in tablet mode, and find out about additional tools and features you can use when taking Screenshots on your Chromebook. Quick tips:
- Hold down the Ctrl + Switch window key to take a full-screen screenshot.
- Hold down Ctrl + Shift + Switch to take a partial screenshot.
To take a screenshot of everything on your screen, press the following buttons simultaneously:
Take a Full Screenshot Chromebook
(Ctrl + Switch window) The Switch key is usually located in the top row between the Fullscreen and Brightness buttons, as shown above. It resembles a rectangle followed by two lines.
After you press both buttons, a notification appears in the lower right corner showing a thumbnail of your screenshot. Clicking on the thumbnail will take you to the Downloads folder, so this is where all the Screenshots come in, making them accessible offline. You can also access this folder by clicking on the blue folder icon on the taskbar.
Chrome OS labels all screenshots with the date and time they were taken. Since Chrome OS stores screenshot locally on your device, they will not be available on Google Drive unless you manually upload them to the cloud. To do so, follow these easy steps:
Step 1: Select the screenshot that you want to upload. For many uploads, tap the “tick” icon on each screenshot. Step 2: Click the “share” button located at the top right corner. Step 3: Select Save to Drive on the drop-down menu.
If you have a Chromebook with a 360-degree hinge like the Pixelbook, then skip the “Screenshot in Tablet Mode” section in this guide for an alternative touch-based method.
Take Partial Screenshots
You can also specify the part of the screen that you want to capture. Here’s how to capture: Step 1: Press and hold the Ctrl and Shift keys simultaneously, then press the Switch window button. Step 2: The screen is dimmed and the cursor temporarily changes to a crosshair. Click and drag the box on the part of the screen that you want to capture, then release the trackpad or mouse button. Partial screenshots save to the Downloads folder, just like Full-screen screenshots.
Screenshot in tablet mode
Use the keys: Many tablets and 2-in-1 tablets and Chrome OS-based tablets may not have direct access to the keyboard. Don’t worry: There is an easy screen abbreviation that you can use in tablet mode. Press the following physical buttons simultaneously: Power + Volume Reduction: Here you take a picture of the entire screen. Use stylus – Full screenshot: You can take a Screenshot of your entire screen using the stylus as well.
Here’s How:
Step 1: Tap the Stylus. Step 2: Take the stylus to tap the Capture Screen option. This takes a screenshot of your entire screen. Use the stylus – Partial screenshot Want a screenshot of only part of your screen? Follow these steps: Step 1: Tap Stylus. Step 2: Use the stylus to tap the Capture Region option. Step 3: Use the stylus to touch and hold your origin location on the screen.
Other tips and tricks
Copy Display Screenshot
Chrome OS doesn’t save the screenshot as a copied image like pressing the Print Screen button in Windows. If you just want to copy the screenshot (to put it in an image editor, for example), pay attention to the notification that appears above the system clock. Click Copy to clipboard, then press Ctrl + V when you want to paste.
Or, find Screenshot on your Chromebook, select it, and just press Ctrl + C to copy to clipboard and Ctrl + V to paste, like Windows. Editing Screenshots: Screenshots taken 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 access it:
Step 1: Click on the blue folder icon on the taskbar to open the Downloads folder. Step 2: Double-click your Screenshot to open it in the image viewer. Step 3: Click the pen icon located at the top right corner to enter Edit mode.
Step 4: When finished, click the pen icon again to finish editing, or click Exit which is located just above the system clock.
The built-in editor doesn’t allow you to save a copy, so you may want to manually copy the image first to keep the unedited original shot. Using the keyboard: If you are working on a Chrome OS-supported desktop (Chromebox) or an external keyboard that is plugged into your Chromebook, the keyboard may use a standard function key row instead of a Chrome dedicated row of keys. Here are Chrome OS commands that replace typical function key commands:
- F1 – Previous page
- F2 – Next page
- F3 – Refresh
- F4 – Full Screen
- F5 – Change window
- F6 – Decrease brightness
- F7 – Increase brightness
- F8 – Mute
- F9 – Decrease the volume
- F10 – Increase the volume
To take a screenshot, type Ctrl + F5 on a standard keyboard. For partial capture, first press Ctrl + Shift followed by F5.
Other Screenshot Tools
The built-in image tool for Chrome OS is a little anemic, but fortunately, there are plenty of apps and extensions on the Google Chrome Web Store to help add extra functionality. Here are a few options that help take a screenshot:
Lightshot: Lightshot is a great beginner option that allows you to drag and drop the screenshot anywhere on the screen. You can edit the screenshot on the spot, then download it or send it to the cloud. It is very easy to use and can be used widely for most purposes.
FireShot: Saves the entire page as an image without multiple screenshots. You can save it in multiple formats and share them directly to OneNote or email.
Awesome Screenshot: For those who want a wider, more powerful tool, Screenshot Awesome lets you choose between screenshot and screencasting so you can also shoot videos whenever you want.
Mustafa Al Mahmud is the Founder of Gizmo Concept and also a professional Blogger, SEO Professional as well as Entrepreneur. He loves to travel and enjoy his free moment with family members and friends.