If there’s one thing we’ve learned over years of testing new technology at CNET, it’s how taking a screenshot differs from device to device and operating system to operating system. This includes Chromebooks and ChromeOS. However, it isn’t too difficult to learn and is something you should know how to do.

Citeşte mai mult: 10 Chromebook Productivity Tricks

From capturing screenshots and safekeeping an idea to a partial screen capture that can help someone from your family navigate their device, the screenshot feature on a Chromebook can do a lot. Here are two ways to launch the Screen Capture tool, how to use it and where to find your captures once you take them.

Screenshot on a Chromebook with a keyboard shortcut

To launch the Screen Capture toolbar, you must press a three-key shortcut: Shift+Ctrl+Show Windows. The Show Windows key is up on the keyboard’s top row with an icon that looks like a window with two windows stacked behind it. Just press those three and the toolbar will pop up at the bottom of the screen. 

Also, if you simply want to take a fast shot of your entire screen, as opposed to a specific region or window, you can simply press Ctrl+Show Windows.

These Chromebook keyboard shortcuts will work on any model. However, some Chromebooks have a Screen Capture key on the keyboard’s top row. Look for a key with a camera icon on it, usually a rectangle with a circle in the center. When pressed it will automatically launch the tool — no key combo necessary. 

Screenshot on a Chromebook from Quick Settings

I have a hard time remembering shortcut keys, so I’m always looking for another option. Luckily, Google added a shortcut button to the Quick Settings panel for screenshots so I never have to think about what keys I need again. On Chrome’s Shelf, click on the time to pop up the Quick Settings menu. Just click or tap on Screen Capture and the toolbar will launch. 

How to use the screenshot toolbar

The Screen Capture toolbar not only lets you take screenshots but can be used to capture screen recordings as well. The toggle for going from stills to video is on the far left of the toolbar. To the right of that toggle, you have options to take a full-screen screenshot, a partial screenshot with a specific area you define or a screenshot of a specific window. These work for photos and video. Also, clicking on the settings cog on the toolbar lets you turn on or off the mic while recording your screen, making adding narration to your captures easy. 

Also read: Windows 10 and 11: Easily Take Screenshots on Your PC

Where screenshots are saved on a Chromebook 

When you take a screenshot or recording it’s immediately accessible from the Clipboard, which stores the last five things you saved to it. To view what’s available, simply press the Everything button (aka the Search key) plus V. 

Your Chromebook also has a holding spot on the Shelf called Tote. It’s where you’ll find your most recent screenshots. You can pin files to Tote, too, which means you can keep an important screenshot ready to open without searching for it. 

Screenshots that are no longer saved on the Clipboard can be found in your files. Just open the Files app on your Chromebook and you’ll find your screenshots in the Images folder and screen recordings in the Videos folder.