How to Take a Partial Screenshot on Chromebook
Most Chromebook screenshots don't need to grab the whole screen — you usually only want one piece of a page or app. ChromeOS calls this a region screenshot, and it has a dedicated shortcut. Here's exactly how to do it, plus the toolbar version for keyboard-less capture.
The Partial Screenshot Shortcut
Cursor turns into a crosshair. Drag to select your area, then click Capture in the center of the selection. Saves to Downloads and copies to clipboard.
Step-by-step: region capture with the keyboard
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Step 1: Press Ctrl + Shift + Show Windows
All three keys together. The screen dims and your cursor becomes a crosshair. The Show Windows key sits where F5 lives on a regular keyboard — it's the rectangle-with-two-lines icon. If your keyboard has no Show Windows key, use Ctrl + Shift + F5 instead.
Pressing Ctrl + Shift + Show Windows on a Chromebook keyboardPressing Ctrl + Shift + Show Windows on a Chromebook keyboard
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Step 2: Drag to select your region
Click at one corner of the area you want, then drag diagonally to the opposite corner. A blue rectangle appears showing your selection. You can resize by dragging any edge or corner before confirming. Press Esc to cancel.
Dragging the crosshair to select a screen region on ChromebookDragging the crosshair to select a screen region on Chromebook
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Step 3: Click Capture
A Capture button appears in the center of your selected area. Click it to save. The screenshot lands in your Downloads folder, copies to your clipboard, and a preview pops up briefly above the shelf so you can drag it directly into another app.
The Capture button inside a region selection on ChromebookThe Capture button inside a region selection on Chromebook
Region capture without a keyboard
If you're in tablet mode, on a Chromebook detachable, or just don't want to use the shortcut, the Screen Capture toolbar offers the same region mode through a touch-friendly UI:
- Click the time in the bottom-right corner to open Quick Settings.
- Tap Screen Capture (camera icon).
- In the toolbar at the bottom, select the dashed-rectangle icon — that's region mode.
- Drag your selection on screen, then tap Capture.
Region vs window vs full screen — when to use which
| Capture type | Best for | Shortcut |
|---|---|---|
| Region (partial) | A specific section of a page, a single error message, a chart inside a doc | Ctrl + Shift + Show Windows |
| Window | An entire app or dialog, without the rest of your desktop showing | Ctrl + Alt + Show Windows |
| Full screen | Documenting your whole workspace or capturing things that span multiple windows | Ctrl + Show Windows |
Tip: refining a region after capture
ChromeOS's built-in editor opens after the capture and lets you crop further. So if your region is a bit off, you don't need to retake — just trim. For arrows, text, and blur, use a dedicated annotator.
Annotate your partial screenshot
ChromeOS only crops. To add arrows, callouts, redact text, or blur sensitive content, use our free in-browser annotator. No upload, no signup.
- Add arrows, text, rectangles, and circles to any image
- Blur sensitive information with the mosaic tool
- All processing happens in your browser — no upload to any server
- Download your annotated image as PNG or JPG
Partial screenshot FAQ
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Press <strong>Ctrl + Shift + Show Windows</strong>. Your cursor changes to a crosshair — click and drag to select an area, then click Capture in the center of your selection.
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Yes. Press <strong>Ctrl + Alt + Show Windows</strong> and click the window you want. ChromeOS captures only that window's contents, with no manual dragging.
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Press <strong>Esc</strong> to cancel the crosshair. Once a region is drawn, drag any edge or corner to resize before clicking Capture.
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ChromeOS doesn't include the mouse cursor in screenshots — what you might be seeing is the crosshair selector before you click Capture. Once captured, the image is just the screen contents inside the selection.
What is the partial screenshot shortcut on Chromebook?
Can I screenshot just one window instead of selecting a region?
How do I redo or cancel a partial selection?
Why does my partial screenshot include the cursor?
Related guides
How to Screenshot on Chromebook — Complete Guide
The full pillar guide covering every screenshot method.
Chromebook Screenshot Keyboard Shortcuts
Every shortcut combination including external-keyboard variants.
Where Chromebook Screenshots Are Saved
Find your partial screenshots in Downloads or Tote — and how to redirect to Drive.
Free Online Image Annotation Tool
Add arrows, text, shapes, and blur to your captured region.