The fastest way: keyboard shortcut

Press Ctrl + Show Windows to capture your entire screen. The Show Windows key is the one that looks like a rectangle with lines — it is in the top row of your keyboard, usually between the Escape key and the brightness controls. Your screenshot saves automatically to your Downloads folder as a PNG file.

If you want to capture only part of the screen, press Ctrl + Shift + Show Windows instead. A crosshair cursor appears, and you can click and drag to select the area you want. Release the mouse to save that section. This partial capture method is useful when you want to share just one part of a webpage or document without showing sensitive information elsewhere on your screen.

Key Takeaways

  • Ctrl + Show Windows captures your full screen; Ctrl + Shift + Show Windows lets you select a portion.
  • Screenshots save automatically to your Downloads folder with a timestamp in the filename.
  • You can also use the Quick Settings menu in the bottom right corner if you prefer not to memorize keyboard shortcuts.
  • Samsung Chromebooks store screenshots locally, so you can access them offline without needing cloud storage.
  • A preview appears in the bottom right corner after each screenshot, giving you when ready options to edit or share.

Using the Quick Settings menu

Click the time in the bottom right corner of your screen to open Quick Settings. Look for the Screenshot button — it appears as a small camera icon. Click it to open the screenshot tool.

A menu appears with three options: capture the full screen, capture a region, or capture a window. Select the one you need. For a region or window, use your cursor to select what you want, then click to save. This menu method works the same way as the keyboard shortcuts but does not require you to remember which keys to press.

Finding your screenshots

All screenshots land in your Downloads folder by default. Open the Files app (the folder icon in your taskbar), then click Downloads on the left side. Your screenshots appear there with names like "Screenshot 2024-01-15 at 2.30.45 PM.png".

If you want to move a screenshot somewhere else, right-click it in the Files app and select Move to. You can create a new folder or move it into an existing one. You can also delete screenshots you no longer need by right-clicking and selecting Delete. Organizing your screenshots into folders by date or project makes them easier to find later.

Editing screenshots right after you take them

When you take a screenshot, a small preview appears in the bottom right corner of your screen for a few seconds. Click that preview to open the screenshot in the built-in image editor. You can crop, draw on it, add text, or highlight parts before saving.

If you miss the preview, open the Files app, find your screenshot in Downloads, right-click it, and select Open with > Gallery. The Gallery app lets you edit the image the same way. The editor saves your changes back to the original file, so you do not end up with multiple versions of the same screenshot.

Sharing screenshots directly

After you take a screenshot, the preview in the bottom right corner includes a Share button (it looks like an arrow). Click it to send the screenshot to Gmail, Google Drive, or another app without saving it to your computer first.

You can also right-click a screenshot in your Downloads folder and select Share to send it through email or messaging apps. This is faster than opening the file and attaching it manually. Sharing directly from the preview is the quickest route if you need to send a screenshot when ready after taking it.

Troubleshooting when screenshots do not work

If Ctrl + Show Windows does not capture anything, make sure you are not in a full-screen app like a video player. Some apps block screenshots for security reasons. Exit full-screen mode and try again. You can usually do this by pressing the Escape key or clicking the full-screen button in the app.

If your Downloads folder is full or your storage is nearly full, screenshots may fail silently. Open the Files app and check how much space you have left. Delete old files or clear your cache if you are running low. You can also move screenshots to Google Drive to free up local storage. Check your storage by clicking the time in the bottom right, opening Settings, and selecting Storage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do screenshots go on a Samsung Chromebook?

Screenshots save automatically to your Downloads folder with a timestamp filename. You can find them by opening the Files app and clicking Downloads on the left side. If you want them in a different location, move them after they are saved.

Can I take a screenshot of just one window?

Yes. Press Ctrl + Shift + Show Windows to open the selection tool, then click once on the window you want to capture. The entire window will be selected and saved. You can also use the Quick Settings menu and choose the window capture option.

What format are Chromebook screenshots saved in?

Screenshots save as PNG files, which is a standard image format that works with most programs and websites. You can open them with the Gallery app, edit them, or upload them anywhere that accepts image files.

Can I take a screenshot without using the keyboard?

Yes. Click the time in the bottom right corner to open Quick Settings, then click the Screenshot button. A menu appears with options to capture your full screen, a region, or a single window.

Do I need internet to take a screenshot?

No. Screenshots work completely offline and save to your local Downloads folder. You only need internet if you want to share the screenshot through email or upload it to the cloud afterward.