Chromebooks are flexible and user-friendly laptops that run on Google's Chrome OS. These devices have gained popularity for their simplicity, speed, and excellent productivity features. While Chromebooks offer many built-in tools, some features might not be immediately apparent to new users. Screen recording is one such function that can be particularly useful but may be challenging to locate.
This article will walk you through various methods to record your screen on a Chromebook. Whether you're creating a tutorial, capturing a video call, or saving an important presentation, this guide will show you how to record screens on a Chromebook with ease.
In this article
Part 1. How To Screen Record Using Chromebook's Built-In Options
Screen recording on a Chromebook is most accessible using the built-in options. This method doesn't require additional software, making it the most straightforward approach for most users. Let's go through the process step by step.
How To Record Screen on a Chromebook
Chromebook offers a simple way to record screens on a Chromebook. Just follow the steps provided below:
Step 1: Press Shift + Ctrl + Show windows to open the screen capture menu.
Step 2: In the menu at the bottom of your screen, select the Screen Record icon
Step 3: Choose your recording option:
- Full screen: Records your entire screen
- Partial screen: This lets you select a specific area to record
- Window: Records a single window
Step 4: Click Settings at the bottom of the menu to adjust your recording preferences:
- Turn on the Front Camera if you want to include your webcam feed.
- Select audio options: Device audio, Microphone, or both.
- Enable Show keys and clicks to display your interactions.
Step 5: Start your recording. There are three ways to do so:
- For full screen: Click anywhere on your screen
- For partial screen: Select the area you want to record by clicking and dragging.
- For window: Click the window you want to capture
Step 6: Click the Stop recording button at the bottom right of your screen or use the keyboard shortcut Search + Shift + X.
How To Take Screenshots on Chromebook
Taking screenshots is also simple:
Step 1: Press the Screenshot key if your Chromebook has one, or use Ctrl + Show Windows, and then select the Screen capture icon represented by a Camera.
Step 2: Select full-screen, partial, or window screenshot from the menu. Then, click Capture.
These built-in tools make it easy to capture still images and video on your Chromebook, enhancing your productivity without needing extra apps.
Part 2. How To Screen Record Using Wondershare DemoAir
While Chromebook's built-in screen recording options are convenient, third-party tools like Wondershare DemoAir offer more advanced features for users who need professional-grade screen-capture capabilities. These tools can enhance your recording experience and provide additional options for editing and sharing your content.
Wondershare DemoAir is a powerful Chrome extension that allows easy screen recording, webcam capture, and quick video sharing. Thus, it's great as a screen recorder for Chromebooks.
Key features of Wondershare DemoAir include:
- Screen recording. Capture your desktop screen, specific browser tabs, or webcam-only footage with microphone and system audio support.
- Video editing. Add annotations and mouse highlights during recording, and trim the beginning and end of your videos for polished results.
- Sharing options. Easily share videos via Google Drive, YouTube, and Gmail, or embed them on websites with just a few clicks.
- Workflow integration. Seamlessly share recordings to platforms like Jira, Slack, Trello, Asana, and GitHub for efficient collaboration.
- Video management. Organize your recordings into folders, rename files, and manage your video library directly within the extension.
Here's how to use Wondershare DemoAir on your Chromebook:
Step 1: Open the Chrome Web Store and search for Wondershare DemoAir. Click Add to Chrome to install the extension. Once installed, click the DemoAir icon in your Chrome toolbar.
Step 2: You can only record on your desktop, browser tab, or webcam. You can also set up your Microphone, Webcam, and System Audio as part of your recording. Additionally, you can annotate your screen while recording using Drawing Tools.
Step 3: Hit the Start Recording button to begin the screen recorder on the Chromebook. Hit the red button again to stop recording. Then, you can Download the .mp4 file or upload it to your desired cloud storage.
For users who need even more advanced video editing capabilities, Wondershare also offers Filmora, a comprehensive video editing software. While Wondershare Filmora isn't available directly on Chromebooks, it has Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS versions. This makes it a versatile option for users who work across multiple platforms and need more robust editing tools for their screen recordings and other video projects.
Part 3. How To Screen Record Using Screencastify
Another excellent option for recording screens on a Chromebook is Screencastify. This popular Chrome extension offers a user-friendly interface and a range of features that make it suitable for educational and professional use. Screencastify is a free screen recorder and video creation platform designed specifically for Chrome.
It lets users capture, edit, and share videos quickly and easily. With its intuitive tools, you can record your desktop, browser tab, or webcam, add narration, and make simple edits. Screencastify is particularly popular among educators and professionals who need to create instructional videos, presentations, or demonstrations.
Here's How To Use Screencastify on Your Chromebook
To begin recording with Screencastify, open the Chrome Web Store and search "Screencastify." Click Add to Chrome to install the extension. Then, follow the steps below:
Step 1: Choose your recording mode, then adjust your audio settings.
Step 2: Click Record to start your screen capture. When finished, click the stop button in the toolbar.
Step 3: Your recording will automatically open in Screencastify's editor, where you can trim, crop, or add text to your video.
Step 4: Save your video to Google Drive or export it in your preferred format (MP4, GIF, or MP3).
Screencastify's free version allows you to create up to 10 videos of 30 minutes each, making it an excellent option for users who need occasional screen recording capabilities on their Chromebooks.
Part 4. Where To Find Your Screen Recordings
After creating screen recordings on a Chromebook, locating the saved files can sometimes be challenging, especially if you're new to the process or have used different methods to record your screen. This section will guide you on where to find your recordings, whether you've used the built-in screen recorder or third-party applications.
Finding Screen Recordings From the Built-In Screen Recorder
When you use Chromebook's built-in screen recording tool, your recordings are automatically saved to the Downloads folder. This is the default location for all your screen captures and videos. To access your recordings:
Step 1: Open the Files app on your Chromebook. Navigate to the Downloads folder.
Step 2: Look for "Screen Recording" files followed by the date and time.
If you prefer to save your recordings to a different location, you can change the default save folder for screenshots and recordings:
Step 1: Open the Files app and right-click on the folder you want to use as the new save location.
Step 2: Select "Set as default."
This will redirect all future screenshots and screen recordings to your chosen folder and other new files in your system.
Finding Screen Recordings From Third-Party Apps
For third-party screen recording tools like Wondershare DemoAir or Screencastify, the location of your saved recordings depends on the settings within each application. Typically, these apps allow you to specify where you want your files to be saved. Here's how to ensure you can easily find your recordings:
- Look for options to set or confirm the save location during the recording setup process.
- Choose a folder that you frequently use or can easily remember.
- After recording, follow the prompts to save the file to your chosen location.
By keeping track of where you save your recordings, you can quickly access and manage your videos for editing, sharing, or uploading to cloud storage or video platforms.
Easy-to-use Screen Recording Tool for Everyone
Conclusion
Learning how to record screens on a Chromebook is straightforward with built-in tools and third-party apps like Wondershare DemoAir and Screencastify. You can easily capture, edit, and share videos for tutorials, presentations, and more. For advanced editing, consider using Filmora, which is available on macOS, iOS, Android, and Windows.
Filmora offers powerful features to create professional-quality videos, making it an excellent choice for users across multiple platforms. Embrace these tools to maximize your Chromebook's capabilities and enhance productivity and creativity.
