To screen record on a Chromebook, press Shift + Ctrl + Show windows, choose Screen record, pick full screen, a partial area, or a window, and start. To stop, press Search + Shift + X or select Stop recording at the bottom right. The video saves to your Downloads folder as a .webm file.
That works the same on HP, Acer, Lenovo, Samsung, ASUS, and Google-built Chromebooks, because the recorder is part of ChromeOS rather than the hardware. The tool has been built in since ChromeOS 89 in March 2021, so any Chromebook that still receives updates has it.
The rest of this guide covers audio, the camera, where files go, how to stop a recording that seems stuck, school-managed devices, and when a different tool is the better fit.
Need a Chromebook recorder with audio, camera, and easy sharing? If ChromeOS’s built-in tool is close but not quite enough, try a browser recorder instead. Open Chromebook recorder
Step by step: record your Chromebook screen
- Open the screen capture menu. Press Shift + Ctrl + Show windows. The Show windows key is the one in the top row with a rectangle and two lines. Without a keyboard, open Quick Settings at the bottom right and select Screen capture.
- Switch to video. In the toolbar at the bottom, select Screen record. The other mode takes screenshots.
- Choose the area. Pick Record the full screen, Record a partial screen, or Record a window.
- Set audio and camera first. Open the settings gear in the same toolbar. Choose your audio source and turn on Front Camera if you want your face in the video. Details are in the next two sections.
- Start. Click anywhere for full screen, drag to select an area for a partial recording, or click the window you want.
- Stop. Select Stop recording at the bottom right of the screen, or press Search + Shift + X.
The finished video appears as a notification and in the Files app.
How to screen record on a Chromebook with audio
The settings gear in the capture toolbar controls sound. The current options are:
| Setting | What it records | Use it for |
|---|---|---|
| Microphone | Your voice and the room | Narrated walkthroughs, lessons, feedback |
| Device audio | Sound the Chromebook plays: videos, call participants, app sounds | Capturing a video or meeting without narrating |
| Device audio and microphone | Both, mixed | Talking over a video, a demo with sound, or a call with your own commentary |
When ChromeOS first shipped the recorder, it could only record the microphone. Current versions add device audio, so older guides that say “Chromebooks can’t record internal sound” are out of date. If you don’t see the device-audio options, check for a ChromeOS update in Settings → About ChromeOS.
Before an important recording, do a ten-second test: say a sentence, play a known sound, stop, and play the file back. A silent recording usually means the wrong source was selected, the microphone was muted in Quick Settings, or a site blocked access. Our free microphone test shows a live level meter if you’re unsure your mic works at all. For how audio capture differs on other devices, see does screen recording record audio?.
Turning on Show clicks and keys in the same menu displays your mouse clicks and keyboard shortcuts on screen. That helps viewers follow a tutorial.
How to add your camera to a screen recording
Turn on Front Camera in the capture settings before you start. ChromeOS places a camera preview on the screen, and it is recorded together with whatever you capture. If the camera preview is black, another app may be using the camera; our webcam test helps rule out a hardware or permission problem.
Where do Chromebook screen recordings go?
By default, recordings save to the Downloads folder in the Files app. You can change the save location in the capture settings.
Videos are saved as .webm files. Chrome, YouTube, and Google Drive play WebM without trouble, but some upload forms, older editors, and learning platforms only accept MP4. If a site rejects the file, convert it to MP4 first, or share a link to the video instead of the file.
The settings also offer GIF recording. GIFs are handy for a short silent loop in a document, but Google notes that they don’t capture audio or camera input.
How to stop or end a screen recording on a Chromebook
There are two ways:
- select the Stop recording button at the bottom right of the screen, in the shelf next to the clock;
- press Search + Shift + X.
If the shelf is hidden because an app is in full screen, use the keyboard shortcut, or move the pointer to the bottom of the screen to reveal the shelf.
Can you trim or edit the recording?
The screen capture tool itself has no editor: you get the raw file. You have three practical options:
- Screencast app. ChromeOS 104 and later include Google’s Screencast app. It records with an automatic transcript, saves to Google Drive, and can trim, mute selected sentences, and add title overlays. It’s aimed at lessons and demos; on managed school and work accounts the administrator can turn it off.
- A browser editor. Web-based editors such as Clipchamp run in Chrome on a Chromebook.
- Re-record. For a short clip, a clean second take is often faster than editing the first.
Screen recording on a school Chromebook
On a Chromebook managed by a school or employer, the administrator decides what’s allowed. Device policies can block screen capture, the camera, the microphone, extension installs, or individual websites. If the screen capture option is missing or greyed out, or a recording starts without sound, that’s usually policy rather than a broken laptop.
To see whether your device is managed, open Quick Settings and look for a managed-device notice. Typing chrome://policy in the address bar lists the policies your organization has applied.
There is no legitimate way around a policy on a managed device, and a tool that promises one is a security risk. Ask your teacher or IT team which recorder your school supports. Many schools license a specific one; Screencastify is common in K-12.
Built-in recorder vs extensions vs a browser recorder
| ChromeOS screen capture | Screencast app | Screencastify | Chairkick | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Install needed | No, part of ChromeOS | No, preinstalled on ChromeOS 104+ | Chrome extension | No, a web page |
| Microphone | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Device or tab sound | Device audio | Not stated by Google | Yes | Tab audio, mixed with your mic |
| Camera | Front Camera toggle | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Result | .webm file in Downloads |
Google Drive screencast | Cloud share link | Unlisted share link |
| Transcript | No | Yes | On paid plans | Yes |
| Free limits | None stated | None stated | 10 videos, 30 minutes each | 14-day Pro trial, no card |
Screencastify’s limits come from its pricing page; Google’s capabilities come from its screen capture help and Screencast documentation. Both were checked in October 2026.
The built-in tool is the right choice when you need a file on this machine: a quick clip for a bug report, a recording you’ll upload somewhere else, or a short demo for yourself. It falls short when someone else has to watch, because you then have to find the WebM file, maybe convert it, upload it, and send it.
That is the gap a browser recorder fills. Chairkick’s Chromebook screen recorder runs as a normal web page in Chrome, records your screen, camera, and microphone, and gives you an unlisted link with a transcript as soon as you stop. Viewers don’t need an account. You can try a first recording without signing up; after that, the 14-day Pro trial needs no credit card, then Pro is $9 per recorder per month or $72 per year. If you’re choosing between extension-based recorders, our Screencastify alternatives guide compares the main options.
FAQ
What is the shortcut to screen record on a Chromebook?
Shift + Ctrl + Show windows opens the screen capture menu; select Screen record to switch from screenshots to video. Search + Shift + X stops a recording.
Can you screen record on a Chromebook with sound?
Yes. In the capture toolbar’s settings, choose Microphone, Device audio, or Device audio and microphone. Device audio records sound the Chromebook plays, such as a video or call.
How do I screen record on an HP or Acer Chromebook?
Exactly the same way as on any Chromebook: Shift + Ctrl + Show windows, then Screen record. The recorder is part of ChromeOS, so the brand doesn’t matter.
How do I record a video of myself on a Chromebook?
For a camera-only video, use the Camera app and switch it to video mode. To appear on top of a screen recording, turn on Front Camera in the screen capture settings before you start.
Why can’t I screen record on my school Chromebook?
Your administrator has probably disabled screen capture, the microphone, or the camera through device policy. Only your school’s IT team can change that.
What format are Chromebook screen recordings?
WebM (.webm). Convert to MP4 if a site or app requires it.
Where are my screen recordings on my Chromebook?
In the Downloads folder of the Files app, unless you changed the save location in the capture settings.