For Chromebook users, a quick screen recording is a great way to explain anything by using your own computer as a canvas to show your audience, rather than telling them about it in writing or through static screenshots.

Whether you’re delivering a tutorial, showing off examples of your work, or sharing important information, this step-by-step guide will show you how to screen record on Chromebook in four different ways:

1. Using the Chromebook keyboard shortcut
2. Using the built-in screen recorder on Chromebook
3. Using a Chrome browser extension to record your screen

Ho‎w to screen record on Chromebook using a keyboard shortcut

You can record screen activity on a Chromebook quickly and easily with a few keyboard shortcuts. Here’s how.

Press Shift + Ctrl + Show windows (rectangle-shaped icon with two vertical lines in the function row). Depending on your Chromebook model, you can use the Screenshot key (small camera icon) on the right side of the Show windows key.

Select Screen record (video camera icon) in the screen recording options from the menu at the bottom of the screen. 

Then, select one of these screen recording options:

• Full screen to record the entire screen
• Partial screen to record a portion of the screen
• Entire window to record the app or browser window you’re currently working in

When you’re finished, click Stop recording at the bottom right. Your screen recording will be available in your Downloads folder. Chromebook hard drives have limited storage capacity, so the device will sometimes delete downloaded files to free up space. Press the Ctrl + Shift + Show windows keys, select Settings > Select folder, then save the file to an external storage or cloud storage like Google Drive.

Note: By default, Chromebook saves video recordings as WEBM files, but you can save them as MP4 files for easier sharing.

Ho‎w to screen record with Chromebook’s built-in screen recorder

You can also record your screen using the built-in Chromebook screen recorder (Chrome OS 89 or newer versions).

Here’s how to use Chromebook's screen recording feature.

Click the clock in the quick settings panel on the bottom-right corner of your screen, then select the Screen Capture button to open the Screen Capture toolbar.

Choose whether you want to record full screen, partial screen, or the entire window. Then click Settings (gear icon) and choose whether you want to record your microphone with the system audio.

Click the Record button (video icon) to record your screen. When you’re finished, click the Stop button to stop the screen recording.

Ho‎w to screen record on Chromebook with a browser extension

Browser extensions add custom functionality to your core browser, allowing you to take notes, block ads, manage passwords, and record your screen, too. 

There are plenty of reliable browser extensions in the Google Chrome web store for recording your screen on a Chromebook.

When choosing a browser extension, check whether it offers:

• Flexible recording time limits
• Easy sharing options
• Watermark-free recordings
• Voiceover/narration
• Flexibility to record on any screen size
• Video editing capabilities

For this guide, we’ll show you how to record your screen using the Loom Chrome Screen Recorder & Screen Capture extension.

Here’s how to use Loom’s browser extension to screen record on a Chromebook.

Go to the Loom Screen Recorder & Screen Capture Chrome extension page and select Add to Chrome.

Note: You’ll need to switch to Google Chrome browser and a reliable Wi-Fi connection to install extensions and themes.

Click Add Extension.

Create a Loom account if you don’t have one already, then click the Extensions tool (puzzle icon) in the top right corner of your browser window. Then, select the pin tool next to the Loom logo icon to pin the Loom extension to your window.

Click the Loom logo icon in the browser window to initiate a recording.

Grant access to your microphone and camera before you start recording your screen. 

You can choose to record video with or without audio or record audio only. Then, decide what part of your screen you want to capture—full screen, a specific window, or current Chrome tab—and click Share.

Then, click the Start Recording button.

Click the Stop button to stop the recording. 

When you're done, review your recording, save it to your device or Loom account, or share it with your audience.

How to sc‎reen record in one take with Descript

Sometimes, you want a screen recorder that does it all: records audio and video, generates a transcript, and lets you edit and share your screencast with your audience.

Descript is an all-in-one audio and video editor with a full suite of advanced features for creating and producing videos like a pro. 

With Descript’s screen recording tool, you can capture the activity on any part of your screen in high-quality resolution. As you record, Descript will generate an instant transcript of your recording, which you can use to edit your video like a doc. Enhance the recording using Descript’s AI features, then add effects and transitions before sharing it with your audience.

The unique text-based editor means you can screen record in one take, deleting bad takes and filler words by simply deleting them from the transcript.

Note: Descript is currently only available for Windows and Mac. Chrome OS users can still access most features using Descript for web, except screen recording at this time.

1. Create a new project in Descript

Download and install Descript, then open the app and select New to create a new project. Select Video Project. 

2. Record your screen

Select Start Recording.

Choose whether you want to record using your camera or screen. You can also disable your computer audio and choose your preferred microphone.

Adjust the screen recording settings and give your video a title, so it’s easy to find it later. Then, select Record into script to start recording your screen. 

You can drag the corners of the screen recording area to choose which part of your screen to capture, then click the red Start Recording button.

Descript will auto-generate a script for your video as you record. When you finish recording, click the red Stop button.

Then, you can edit your screen capture right inside Descript. With a free account, you can adjust:

• Color Balance: Match colors from the end of your video to the beginning.
• Transitions: Add cuts, fades, dissolves, and other types of transitions into your screen capture.
• Overlays: Add text, stickers, or your watermark to create a branded video.

3. Export or publish your video

When you’re done editing your recording, click Publish to access the Export and Publish settings.

Select the Export tab to adjust the audio, timeline, transcript, or subtitle settings. Then click Export to save your video to your device. Descript will save your video in MP4 file format.

To share your video, click the Publish tab, choose where you want to publish your video (YouTube, Wistia, or podcasting platforms), then change project access and sharing settings. Click Publish.

You can also generate a link for sharing your video recording anywhere or embedding the video in a PowerPoint presentation or website.

Thousands of video creators already rely on Descript for high quality screen capture and video editing. If you’re ready to join them, take a tour of Descript today.

FAQs

How can I screen record in Chromebook with and without audio?

You can screen record with audio on Chromebook using a screen recording tool. Select whether to record your camera or screen, then choose your preferred microphone before recording. If you want to record without audio, disable your computer audio, then record your screen.

How can I stop my screen recording?

Whether you’re screen recording in Windows, Mac, or Chromebook, you can stop the recording by selecting the Stop button in the screen capture toolbar.

Where can I find my screen recording in Chromebook?

By default, Chromebook saves video recordings in the Downloads folder. However, Chromebook hard drives have limited storage capacity, so your device may sometimes delete downloaded files to free up space. To change where recordings are saved, press Ctrl + Shift + Show windows keys, select Settings > Select folder, then save to an external drive or cloud storage, like Google Drive.

How can I choose the best method for screen recording in Chromebook?

You can screen record in Chromebook using the built-in screen capture tool. If you want more advanced screen recording and video editing features, use Descript. The fully-powered audio and video editor comes with a screen recording tool that captures any part of your screen in high-quality resolution, then you can add transitions, effects, music, animation, and titles, before exporting or publishing your video to YouTube, Wistia, or podcast hosting platforms.