Chrome OS has many features like downloading Android apps and personalizing your Chromebook with the Chrome Canvas app , which most the great unwashed have already do it . But there are some lesser - known conjuration like make an App Store for Linux apps , using task manager , take a screenshot of a specific part of the cover much more . allow ’s stop out how to make your Chromebook a Pro political machine .
Best Chromebook Tips and Tricks
1. Continue browsing from your phone
While you might already using your Android to unlock your Chromebook , do you jazz you may also synchronise undecided tab between your Chromebook and Android ? For example , if you are look for some shoes on the Amazon , you’re able to seamlessly shift your browse to your Chromebook and take vantage of the bigger screen .
To set it up make indisputable you are logged into the same Google write up on your Android and Chromebook , Next , launch the Chrome app on your Android and tap on More pick and then preferences . Next , tap your name , tap Sync and turn it ON .
Once done , take a spirit at the top portion of the app draftsman , whenever you range something on your phone with Chrome web web browser , you’re able to see the deed of that pageboy as the first mesmerism on the Chromebook below the catapult ’s search taproom . Just open it and continue your browse on the Chromebook .
2. Change the Shelf position
By default , Chromebook puts theShelf(a.k.a sour grass or toolbar ) at the bottom edge of the cover . However , it also gives you an option to transfer the view of thatShelfto leave or right just like Linux by decently - clicking ( spigot with two fingers on the trackpad ) and localise the shelf spot .
Or even hide the ledge by select the motorcar - skin option .
3. Run Linux apps
Some Chromebooks can even go Linux . But it is not fend for on all the gadget , so it ’s a right idea to first , see if your Chromebook suffer Linux . If it does , it enter the door for a batch of possibilities and now you’re able to install many professional apps like GIMP , Kdenlive , etc .
To Enable , open system preferences and tap the ‘ sprain on ’ button beside Linux . You will get a terminal in your app drawer which can be helpful to install Linux apps .
Here are some of thebest Linux apps you should try on your Chromebookand how to instal them .
4. Get app-store for Linux apps
Enabling Linux contribute young features and software to Chromebook , but set up Linux apps is a bit powerful process and you need to use the terminal to install any Linux apps .
But we can get Gnome Software Center which can pretend like an app depot for Linux .
To install , launch the terminal and execute the command
If you are n’t see any apps on the computer memory , try these 2 bidding and then reboot
5. Run Windows software
As we can now run Linux on Chromebook , we can use the Linux app called wine to course Windows app on the Chromebook .
Windows have a great assemblage of apps than Linux and we can instal apps like Photoshop , Brave web browser , etc which are not even available for Linux . As these Windows apps are sour on Linux and Linux is working on Chrome OS in a practical loge kind of setup , these apps have few lags and work great only on potent Chromebooks like Pixelbooks .
Wine will only form on the intel based Chromebooks but not on ARM - based Chromebooks . Wine is also available as an Android app , which can be install on any Chromebook and act upon dead , but it can only install Windows RT apps .
6. Turn websites into Chrome apps
One affair Chrome OS still jug behind is the lack of apps . Of course , we have Android apps and Linux apps . But some of them are not well optimized to work on Chromebooks .
Thankfully , you’re able to turn most web apps to standalone Chrome apps with a simple trick . Just head over toAplicationizewebsite and glue the URL you want to convert into an app . And survey the instructions shown on the Aplicationize site .
Google Docs , Twitter , Facebook , WordPress are some of the apps which do n’t work great with Android and are in which you’re able to try this method for a better experience .
7. Use your Android phone to unlock Chromebook
Most Chromebooks now are supporting tablet fashion as they are already skin senses - enable . But type the password in a pill mood is not an easygoing task as we need to apply the Virtual Keyword . But we can change that to PIN when using in pad manner .
Open System preferences and in the ‘ You and Google ’ section , snap on the ‘ screen curl and signalise - in ’ pick . Change the choice to ‘ PIN and Password ’ and set the PIN . So every time , you are using the Chromebook in lozenge mode , you could just press the PIN to unlock .
you could tie in your Android phone from the connected devices incision and unlock your Chromebook when your Android speech sound is near it . Just like how you’re able to use Apple Watch to unlock your iPhone .
8. Kill the apps using task manager
Whenever any app hangs and terminate answer , use the shortcutSearch + Escto opened task manager and we can cease the process through the job manager .
It ’s just like pressing Control + Alt + Delete in Windows .
9. Adjust your keyboard backlight
Some Chromebooks come with a backlight for their keyboard . You might have seen buttons to commute display brightness but not the keyboard brightness . you may use the shortcutControl + Shift + luminance keysto increment or fall the Keyboard brightness .
10. Control Notifications for individual app
While you could always block all the notification by activate do not disturb mode , but then it might also block other important notifications . Thankfully , Chromebook lets you control telling for each app just like on the telephone set .
but , start the immediate circumstance panel on the bottom left of the screen and dawn on Notifications . you’re able to enable and disable notifications for each app easily from there .
11. Dual Screen mode
Chrome OS has an option to enter the dual - concealment mode with a round-eyed crosscut . UsingAlt + [ on any app establish the app align to the left side of the screen and we can useAlt + ] for another app to align to the right side . And we can also toggle between them seamlessly withAlt + Tabshortcut .
Also , we have the option to pressAlt + = to maximize any app and weigh it again to get back to its previous position .
12. Get back the missingCaps Lock
On Chromebooks , Caps Lockis replaced with the Seach button . But we still can enter the Caps Lock by fight thealt + Searchshortcut or remap it from the preferences .
Go toSettingsand chatter onKeyboardin the twist section . In front of the hunt choice , you could remap the key to different functions . Just set it to capslock and apply that search button as capslock from now . Also , remember that remapping the search release to capslock will disable shortcut with the search button like Seach + Esc to open project manager .
13. Know every shortcut on Chromebook easily
There are a lot of Shortcuts in the Chromebook and you’re able to get at all the crosscut just by clickingControl + Alt + ? on your Chromebook . It will show you all the shortcuts possible on the Chromebook in different sub - sections for you to search easily .
14. Navigate between Chrome Tabs much fastly
We can voyage between the chrome tab with the shortcut Control + Tab , which is already popular . But there is another lesser - jazz way to pilot even faster .
you could just swipe with three fingers on the trackpad from left to right and correct to left and exchange the chit . It may take time to use it when needed , but after using it for a few days , it will make the sailing much promiscuous and quicker .
But ensure you are not using two fingers , that may take you to the previous page or the next Thomas Nelson Page which is not you need .
15. Open apps with a Shortcut
you could open apps in the Shelf ( a.k.a dock or toolbar ) easily through unsubdivided shortcuts . Just pressAlt + 1to get to the first app on the ledge from the left field . SimilarlyAlt + 2for the 2d app , Alt + 3for the third app , etc .
So if you have placed Chrome as the first app in the Shelf , you’re able to just access Chrome by just typing Alt + 1 every meter .
16. Take a partial screenshot
This is something you might know already that you could take a screenshot just by pressing theControl + Overview buttonwhich has an image of a rectangle with 2 lines and in the place of F5 .
But there is also an option to take a fond screenshot of just a certain lot of the screen . Just pressControl + Shift + Overview button , the screen will turn a chip darker , just choose the part of the screen you want to take a screenshot and get a screenshot of just the portion you want .
A fun tip : Press the Control + Alt + Overview clit , and take a screenshot of any window on Chromebook .
17. Change the Downloads Location
By default , all your downloads go to the download leaflet and there is no other folder on the Chrome OS . Thankfully , you’re able to change that .
Open web internet browser setting > downloads and change the placement by snap on the change button . And make a new folder from there if you want . Normally all the files you have downloaded and the filing cabinet you copied will stay in the same place , with this trick , you may actually make it more organised .
Or even directly download to Google Drive , as Chromebooks generally do n’t have much memory space , you’re able to save a lot of data on your Chromebook .
17. Add Dropbox or One Drive in the File Manager
By default , along with aboriginal files , you all get Google Drive option in the file manager , but you could not find any other inspection and repair . But we can install them easily by afford the three - dot menu on the Files app and select ‘ add new service ’ and then ‘ instal unexampled service ’ . And we can download services like Dropbox , One thrust , etc from here easily to your file handler .
As an added fillip , you may even deepen the download location to them and save place on the system memory .
18. Quickly change the Audio Output and Input
Chromebooks have an choice to easily change the Audio Output / Input by enter the quick setting panel and select the choice beside the audio controls . It will show all the choice including Bluetooth . you may seamlessly interchange between audio devices without connect and unplug every time .
This option will only available if you have connected any devices to it . Similarly , you could change the input too .
19. Stop access to create an account from the lock screen
Chrome OS afford us an option to create an account from the ignition lock projection screen itself . With that , anyone can spread out your Chromebook and can make an account in it . Though they can not access your file , they can use your total Chromebook with their google account or by using Guest Account .
In case , you do n’t need that , you’re able to ferment off that by going into system mount and in the ‘ masses ’ surgical incision , select ‘ manage other mass ’ and turn on ‘ restrict signal - in to the keep abreast users ’ . you’re able to pick out some users whom you want to use your Chromebook if you want .
And turn off Guest browsing . So no one can access your Chromebook without logging - in .
20. Take advantages of Chrome Offers
With the Chromebook , Google is also throwing some offers for you . Which you’re able to get at those whirl by Going into this link : – Chromebook Perks
Openthislink from the Chromebook so that Google can verify that you are using Chromebook and provide you a promo code that you need to paste in the Redeem option in the dramatic play Store and can use that pass .
Chromebooks have been successful with millions of user stand for its simplicity . And these trick like shortcuts and continuing browsing from the headphone make it even simpler and unlined . Features , like running Linux apps and converting internet site into Chrome apps , brought a spate of functionality to the Chromebooks . As they are also touch - enable and can bring in Tablet mode , they were the salutary Android tablets that have the potential to replace desktops and laptops for many people .
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