Knowing how to screenshot on a Dell Chromebook is something we all need to do, whether it's capturing a lecture slide, saving a funny comment, or collecting material for a project. But if you’re using a Dell Chromebook and aren’t sure how to do it, you're definitely not alone. The shortcut keys aren't obvious, and some users don’t even realize there’s a built-in tool for screen capture. I’ve been there too, tapping keys at random, hoping something would work. In this guide, I’ll take you through two simple methods that work every time, no extra downloads required.
Take a Screenshot With the Keyboard Shortcut
One of the quickest ways on how to take a screenshot on a Dell Chromebook is by using a built-in keyboard shortcut. It’s something I rely on almost daily to save quick references, record screen issues, or capture online content for assignments. The best part is that it doesn’t require any extra setup or tools. You just press a couple of keys, and your screenshot is saved instantly. It’s perfect for quick tasks and works on every Chromebook model, including Dell. If you're multitasking or in a rush, this method is a reliable go-to. Here’s how to how to take a screenshot on dell chromebook:
Step 1: To take a full screenshot, press Ctrl + Show Windows key on your keyboard to take a screenshot.
Step 2: If you only want to capture part of your screen, press Ctrl + Shift + Show Windows. Your cursor will turn into a crosshair. Click and drag to select the exact area you want.
Step 3: After taking a screenshot, a thumbnail will appear in the bottom-right corner. Click it to preview, edit, or share immediately.
This method works reliably on all Chromebooks and is perfect when you’re in a hurry or multitasking. It’s saved me during last-minute assignments more times than I can count.
Use the Screen Capture Tool in Quick Settings
If you prefer using menus over memorizing shortcuts, the Screen Capture tool built into your Dell Chromebook is a great alternative. It’s easy to access, gives you more control over what you’re capturing, and even lets you switch to screen recording when needed. I often turn to it when I need to be precise or when I’m walking someone else through a process. The visual interface makes it simple to choose exactly what you want to screenshot. It’s especially helpful for more detailed tasks or when you’re working on tutorials or instructions. Here’s how to screenshot on dell chromebook using the Capture Tool:
Step 1: Click the time in the bottom-right corner of your Chromebook to open the Quick Settings menu.
Step 2: Tap the Screen Capture icon, which looks like a small camera.
Step 3: Choose your capture type: full screen, window, or partial area. The interface makes it easy to pick what you need.
Step 4: Click anywhere (or click and drag for partial) to take your screenshot. A thumbnail will pop up for quick access.
Where to Find Your Chromebook Screenshots
Taking a screenshot is only half the task, knowing where it’s saved is just as important. If you’re new to using a Dell Chromebook, it’s easy to miss where your files end up, especially during busy work sessions or back-to-back classes. I’ve had moments where I took multiple screenshots and couldn’t find a single one right away. Thankfully, Chromebooks keep things simple once you know where to look. In this section, I’ll show you exactly how to locate your screenshots and keep them organized. It only takes a minute to get the hang of it.
Step 1: Open the Files app from the Chromebook shelf or launcher.
Step 2: Go to the Downloads folder. All your screenshots are saved here by default.
Step 3: Screenshots are automatically named by date and time, making them easy to sort through.
Step 4: You can rename or move your files as needed for better organization. I usually create folders for different projects to keep things tidy.
Once you’ve done it a couple of times, finding and using your screenshots becomes second nature.
Boost Your Dell Chromebook with WPS Office
After taking a screenshot, chances are you’ll want to use it in a document, slide deck, or PDF. That’s where WPS Office makes things simple. I’ve been using it for months now, and it’s hands down one of the best free office tools available for Chromebook users. WPS Office runs smoothly on Chromebooks, either through the Android app or directly in the browser. It’s lightweight, fast, and doesn’t hog resources, even on older models.
Productivity Tools That Actually Help
WPS Office includes all the tools you’d expect from a complete office suite but in a compact, Chromebook-friendly package.
When you’re moving between screenshots, edits, and sharing, it helps to have one tool that handles everything in the background. WPS Office made that easy without overloading my Chromebook.
Smart AI Features That Make a Difference
AI Resume Assistant: Helped structure a screenshot-heavy resume with cleaner formatting and smarter phrasing.
Spell & Grammar Check: Caught small errors and improved clarity across my slide captions and notes.
Academic Writing Support: Gave helpful suggestions on how to present annotated screenshots in a research summary.
AI Writing Assistant: Turned rough bullet points into clear explanations for each image I captured.
AI Slides Creator: Automatically formatted my screenshots and notes into a draft slideshow, which saved me hours of manual setup.
Smart PDF Tools: Extracted highlights and added labels to PDF guides that were full of screenshot references.
If you're working with screenshots, notes, and documents on a Dell Chromebook, WPS Office fits in seamlessly. It’s light, useful, and handles the real work without getting in your way.
FAQs
Q1: What is the Show Windows key on a Chromebook?
It’s the key on the top row that looks like a rectangle with two vertical lines, it opens your active windows view.
Q2: Can I change where my screenshots are saved?
Not by default, but you can move them manually from the Downloads folder to any other folder you prefer.
Q3: Is there an app to manage screenshots on a Chromebook?
The built-in Files app handles basic management. For editing and inserting screenshots, WPS Office is a great free option.
Q4: Is WPS Office available for Chromebooks?
Yes! It works both as a web app and an Android app on ChromeOS, with full functionality.
