The quickest way to screenshot on a Samsung Chromebook
On a Samsung Chromebook, press Ctrl + Show Windows to capture your entire screen. The Show Windows key is the one that looks like a rectangle with lines — it sits where the F5 key would be on a regular keyboard. Your screenshot saves automatically to the Downloads folder as a PNG file.
If you want to capture only part of your screen instead, press Ctrl + Shift + Show Windows. A crosshair cursor appears, and you can click and drag to select the area you want. Release the mouse button, and that portion saves to Downloads.
You can also open the screenshot tool from the shelf. Click the time in the bottom right corner, then look for a screenshot icon (it looks like a camera) in the quick settings panel that appears. This opens the same partial-screen tool.
Key Takeaways
- Press Ctrl + Show Windows (the rectangle key) to capture your entire screen in one keystroke.
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Show Windows to select and capture only a portion of your screen.
- Screenshots save automatically to your Downloads folder as PNG files with a timestamp in the filename.
- You can also access the screenshot tool through the quick settings menu in the bottom right corner.
- After taking a screenshot, a notification appears in the corner — click it to open the image or copy it to your clipboard.
Where your screenshots go and how to find them
Every screenshot you take lands in the Downloads folder on your Chromebook. The files are named with the date and time — for example, "Screenshot 2024-01-15 at 2.30.45 PM.png" — so you can tell them apart if you take multiple screenshots.
To open your Downloads folder, click the Files icon on the shelf (it looks like a folder), then select Downloads from the left sidebar. You can open any screenshot by double-clicking it, or right-click to rename, delete, or move it to another folder.
If you want to copy a screenshot to your clipboard instead of saving it, take the screenshot normally, then click the notification that pops up in the corner. A menu appears with the option to copy the image. You can then paste it directly into an email, document, or chat message without saving a file first.
Using the partial screenshot tool for precision
The partial screenshot tool is useful when you only need to capture a specific window or a small section of your screen. Press Ctrl + Shift + Show Windows, and your cursor changes to a crosshair.
Click at one corner of the area you want to capture and drag to the opposite corner. As you drag, you will see a blue outline showing exactly what will be included. Release the mouse button when you have the right selection, and the screenshot saves when ready.
If you make a mistake while selecting, press Escape to cancel and start over. There is no penalty for trying again — you can take as many partial screenshots as you need.
Keyboard shortcuts for different screenshot needs
Samsung Chromebooks use the Show Windows key instead of the traditional Print Screen key found on Windows or Mac computers. This key is located in the top row of your keyboard, usually in the position where F5 would appear on a standard layout.
Here are the three main shortcuts you will use:
- Ctrl + Show Windows: Full-screen screenshot
- Ctrl + Shift + Show Windows: Partial screenshot (select an area)
- Show Windows key alone: Opens the screenshot tool menu
If you press the Show Windows key by itself without holding Ctrl, a menu appears with options to take a full screenshot, partial screenshot, or record your screen. This is another way to start the process if you prefer not to memorize the keyboard combinations.
What to do if your screenshot is not saving
If you take a screenshot and nothing appears in your Downloads folder, first check that your Chromebook has enough storage space. Click the time in the bottom right, then select Settings. Go to Storage and see how much space is available. If your drive is nearly full, you may need to delete old files before new screenshots can save.
If storage is not the problem, restart your Chromebook. Press and hold the power button until the shutdown menu appears, then select Restart. After it boots back up, try taking a screenshot again. This clears temporary glitches that sometimes prevent files from saving.
You can also check whether the screenshot actually saved by opening the Files app and looking in Downloads. Sometimes a notification does not appear even though the file saved successfully. If you still cannot find your screenshot after restarting, the issue may be with your keyboard — try using the Show Windows key menu instead of the keyboard shortcut.
Recording your screen instead of taking a static screenshot
If you need to capture video of what is happening on your screen rather than a still image, you can record instead. Press Ctrl + Alt + Show Windows to start a screen recording. A timer appears in the corner showing how long you have been recording.
To stop the recording, press Ctrl + Alt + Show Windows again. The video saves to your Downloads folder as an MP4 file, just like screenshots save as PNG files. You can then play it back, share it, or edit it using any video player or editing software.
Screen recording is helpful when you want to show someone how to do something step-by-step, or when you need to capture something that changes over time. The video includes audio from your Chromebook's microphone if you have one connected.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take a screenshot of just one window?
Yes, use the partial screenshot tool. Press Ctrl + Shift + Show Windows, then carefully drag around just the window you want to capture. The blue outline shows exactly what will be included before you release the mouse button.
What if I want to edit my screenshot right after taking it?
Click the notification that appears in the corner after you take the screenshot. A menu opens with options to edit, delete, or copy the image. Select edit to open it in the built-in image editor where you can crop, draw, or add text before saving.
Do screenshots include my entire screen or just the visible part?
Screenshots capture only what is visible on your screen at that moment. If you have a long webpage open and only the top portion is showing, only that portion will be captured. You cannot screenshot content that is scrolled out of view.
Can I change where screenshots save?
Screenshots always save to the Downloads folder by default on a Chromebook. You can move them to a different folder afterward using the Files app, but you cannot change the automatic save location in settings.
Is there a way to take a screenshot without using the keyboard?
Yes, press the Show Windows key by itself (without holding Ctrl) to open the screenshot menu. A panel appears with buttons for full screenshot, partial screenshot, and screen recording. Click the option you want instead of using a keyboard combination.