Chromebook Screenshot Keyboard Shortcuts: Every Combination
The complete reference for every screenshot keyboard shortcut on ChromeOS, plus the variants you need when your keyboard doesn't have the standard Show Windows key. Includes shortcuts for full-screen, region, active-window, and screen-recording capture.
The Show Windows key, explained
Every screenshot shortcut on a Chromebook revolves around the Show Windows key. It sits on the top row of the keyboard, in the slot a traditional keyboard reserves for F5. The key icon is a rectangle with two vertical lines stacked on its right edge (⧉). On older Chromebooks the same key may be labeled Overview — it does the same thing.
If your keyboard doesn't have this key — common on external USB keyboards and some education Chromebooks — substitute F5 in every shortcut below.
Core screenshot shortcuts
Full Screen
Captures the entire visible screen. The image saves to Downloads and copies to your clipboard. Fastest option when you need everything.
Region (Partial)
Cursor turns into a crosshair. Click and drag to select a region. Click Capture in the center of the selection to confirm.
Active Window
Captures only the window currently in focus. Cleaner than full-screen when you have multiple apps open.
Screen Capture Toolbar
Opens the full toolbar without capturing immediately. Use it to switch between screenshot and screen recording, or to change save location.
External keyboard variants (no Show Windows key)
External USB and Bluetooth keyboards rarely have the Show Windows key. Use the F5 substitutes:
| Capture mode | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Full screen | Ctrl + F5 |
| Region (partial) | Ctrl + Shift + F5 |
| Active window | Ctrl + Alt + F5 |
| Open Screen Capture toolbar | Shift + Ctrl + F5 |
Some external keyboards have the F-row mapped as media keys by default. Hold the Search key (⊕) while pressing F5 if Ctrl + F5 doesn't fire.
Screen recording shortcut
ChromeOS doesn't expose a one-key shortcut for screen recording, but the workflow is just two steps:
- Press Shift + Ctrl + Show Windows to open the Screen Capture toolbar.
- Click the camcorder icon on the left side of the toolbar to switch from still image to video. Pick full screen, window, or region. Press Record.
Recordings save to the same folder as screenshots (Downloads by default) in .webm format.
A red square appears in the shelf — click it to stop recording.
Other useful screenshot-related shortcuts
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Show all open windows (Overview) | Show Windows |
| Open Files app (find your screenshot) | Shift + Alt + M |
| Paste a screenshot from clipboard | Ctrl + V |
| Open Tote (recent captures) | Click time → Tote tray |
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Keyboard shortcut FAQ
-
<strong>Ctrl + Show Windows</strong> takes a full-screen screenshot. <strong>Ctrl + Shift + Show Windows</strong> opens the region-select crosshair so you can drag over the area you want. Both save to the Downloads folder and copy to your clipboard automatically.
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It's on the top row of the keyboard, in the position where F5 sits on a traditional keyboard. The key icon looks like a rectangle with two vertical lines on the right side (⧉). On older devices the same key may be labeled <em>Overview</em>.
-
Use <strong>Ctrl + F5</strong> for full screen, or <strong>Ctrl + Shift + F5</strong> for region select. F5 acts as a substitute for the Show Windows key. This is common with external USB keyboards and some education-fleet Chromebooks. <a href='/without-windows-key/'>Full guide here</a>.
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Yes. <strong>Shift + Ctrl + Show Windows</strong> opens the full Screen Capture toolbar without taking an immediate capture. From the toolbar you can switch between still images and screen recording.
-
There's no direct shortcut to start a recording. Open the Screen Capture toolbar with <strong>Shift + Ctrl + Show Windows</strong>, then click the camcorder icon to switch to video mode. Recordings save as WebM files in Downloads.
What is the keyboard shortcut for screenshot on Chromebook?
Where is the Show Windows key on a Chromebook?
What if my keyboard has no Show Windows key?
Is there a shortcut to open the Screen Capture toolbar directly?
Can I screen-record on Chromebook with a keyboard shortcut?
Related guides
How to Screenshot on Chromebook — Complete Guide
The full pillar guide covering shortcuts, the Screen Capture tool, tablet mode, and editing.
Screenshot Without the Show Windows Key
External keyboards, education Chromebooks, and other devices missing the dedicated key.
Take a Partial (Region) Screenshot
Deep dive on Ctrl + Shift + Show Windows and the region-select workflow.
Where Chromebook Screenshots Are Saved
Find your captures in Downloads, Tote, or a custom folder.