Are you trying to become more efficient when using ChromeOS? Well, these five keyboard shortcuts are worth memorizing on your Chromebook to boost your productivity.
Alt+-: Minimize Current Window (Alt Plus Minus)
I’m constantly switching programs and minimizing windows, but instead of using the mouse, you can simply use the Alt+- (alt plus minus) keyboard shortcut to minimize the current window.
This doesn’t actually close a program, it just minimizes it to the task bar at the bottom. This is a great way to quickly and easily hide one program to either make another visible, or just simply show your desktop. I really should get into a better habit of minimizing programs so that way I can see my actual desktop.
So, if you want to get better at minimizing windows, just use this keyboard shortcut.
Alt+Shift+M: Launch File Manager
I use the file manager of any operating system almost more than any other app. I’m constantly accessing files, be it screenshots, exported photos, downloaded images, installers, or anything else. The file manager is a key function of any computer, and having to click on the icon each time adds seconds, minutes, hours to your workflow.
Instead of having to grab your mouse, move it to the icon, and click, just simply use the Alt+Shift+M keyboard shortcut. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve mis-clicked my file manager and opened another program, but a keyboard shortcut is much harder to mis-click. So, instead of using your mouse, launch the file manager with your keyboard next time.
Ctrl+.: Show Hidden Files in Files App
Sometimes the files that you need to access are actually hidden from view. One of the first things I do on Windows is make hidden files visible, but this means that if someone else gets access to my computer, they could really mess some stuff up.
ChromeOS makes it incredibly easy to show (or hide) the hidden files in the Files app. Simply use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+. (control plus period) and hidden files will become visible (or be hidden again).
This is great as you can simply toggle hidden files on when you need them, and back off just as easily without having to dig through any menus.
Search+L: Lock Screen Instantly
Before you walk away from your Chromebook, be sure to hit the Search+L keyboard shortcut. This automatically locks your device and makes it so you have to enter your PIN or password again to unlock it.
While I rarely lock my laptop at home, whenever I’m out at a coffee shop, church, or even a friend’s house, I always lock my computer before walking away. Having a quick keyboard shortcut to lock my computer makes it easy to do and ensures I’ll actually do it instead of sometimes not locking my computer.
Search+Esc: Launch Task Manager
While I don’t typically have programs lock up on me with my Chromebook, occasionally I need to access the task manager for one reason or another. The Search+Esc keyboard shortcut quickly launches the task manager and allows you to force close an app, see what resources a program is using, and more.
The task manager on ChromeOS is actually pretty useful. It’ll tell you if a specific tab is hogging resources, help you narrow down where a power-hungry program might be hiding, and let you kill unresponsive apps.
There’s a lot more to being productive on ChromeOS than just learning these five keyboard shortcuts. One of the biggest power-user features of ChromeOS is simply enabling Linux.
For other keyboard shortcuts designed to enhance your productivity in ChromeOS, check out these seven essential Chromebook tips that every Chromebook owner should know about.
- Operating System
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ChromeOS
- CPU
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Intel i3-N305
- RAM
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8GB of LPDDR5
- Storage
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128GB