Those reading this article who use a Chromebook daily are likely to have picked up the basics. You know how to use the launcher with ease and can manage tabs like a seasoned pro. Chances are that you have dabbled with Android apps like the XBet sports betting app or even tried your arm with Linux.
But do you know about the often-overlooked features hiding in plain sight that could seriously level up your ChromeOS experience?
ChromeOS has matured from a browser-focused environment to a surprisingly flexible operating system. Google sneaks in new features and subtle improvements with each update, and many of those tweaks can go unnoticed by even seasoned users.
Whether you are a student, a remote worker, a developer, or a casual internet browser, the lesser-known tips you are about to learn about in this article can help you do more faster and smarter.
Supercharge Your Search with the Everything Button
Most Chromebook users use the “Everything Button” to open apps or find files, leaving its full potential untapped. Formerly known as the Search or Launcher key, the Everything Button on modern Chromebooks lives up to its name.
Did you know you can use the Everything Button to define words, search the web, and run calculations without opening Chrome first?
It is a lightweight productivity tool that saves you from constantly opening or switching tabs, enabling you to streamline your workflow.
Get Quick Answers Without Leaving Your Workspace
The powerful contextual tool, “Quick Answers,” has been part of Chromebooks for a few years but recently received a stylish refresh in ChromeOS 131. Quick Answers provides definitions, translations, and currency conversions by simply right-clicking on a word or phrase.
The tool opens a small window with your definition or translation, negating the need to open a dictionary or a new tab. International readers or travelers will find the currency and unit converter feature particularly handy.
Pin and Group Desks Like a Boss
Virtual Desks have been one of the best ChromeOS additions because they allow you to separate workspaces for different tasks or projects. Millions of Chromebook users use Virtual Desks to create multiple desks, but most don’t realize how customizable these can be.
Users can name desks and save them even after a reboot, meaning they can return to their pre-set environments whenever they like. For example, create a “Personal” desk with entertainment and new tabs and a “Work” desk with all your productivity apps open.
Remember to use keyboard shortcuts like “Search + ]” and “Search + [“to switch between desks quickly.
Use the Built-In Screen Recorder for More Than Just Video
Many people only use screen recording during presentations and tutorials, but Chromebook power users take things one step further. With a few mouse clicks in the Quick Settings menu, you can instruct the screen recorder to include your webcam feed or voice narration.
This makes the screen recorder perfect for recording short video updates, walking someone through a complex workflow, or saving proof of an issue for your team’s tech support.
Thanks to its seamless integration with Google Drive, you can easily share the files the screen recorder creates.
Turn Your Chromebook Into a Smart Display
Navigate to Settings > Personalization> Screen Save to turn your Chromebook’s screen into a smart display. By default, you’ll usually return to a black screen when you step away for a few moments and return to your machine.
However, by personalizing the screensaver, you can choose to display your Google Photos, the time, the weather, and other helpful information when your device is idle.
The highly customizable screensaver is a great way to enjoy your favorite memories or turn your device into a digital photo frame when it is docked.
Turn on the Productivity Launcher
Thanks to recent ChromeOS updates, the Productivity Launcher offers faster app access, search, and a better layout. The latest iteration behaves more like a traditional app drawer and looks great, especially on larger screens. This makes it perfect if you keep your Chromebook plugged into a monitor during the workday.
Head to “chrome://flags” in the Chrome browser and search for “Productivity Launcher” to enable it. Once it is enabled, you’ll need to reboot, but you’ll be glad you did.
The Productivity Launcher gives you a cleaner interface with more intuitive controls, such as the ability to drag apps to organize them or pin your most-used tools for quick access.
It’s a small change that can make a significant difference, particularly if you frequently switch between apps or juggle several tasks simultaneously.
Master Clipboard History for Multi-Item Copying
Everyone uses copy and paste during the workday, but ChromeOS supports clipboard history. This allows you to access the last five items you copied, including images and links, and paste them whenever necessary.
Press “Search + V,” and a pop-up appears with your clipboard history. You can then click to paste any of those items into your current document or field.
The clipboard history is a game-changer for anyone who writes articles, is involved in coding, or manages multiple emails because it negates the need to flip back and forth to copy and paste one thing at a time.
Use Nearby Share for Instant File Sharing
Nearby Share is Google’s answer to Apple’s AirDrop. It is a handy yet underused ChromeOS feature. Nearby Share users can wirelessly send files, links, and app packages between Chromebooks and Android devices in seconds.
Turn on Nearby Share under Settings > Connected Devices > Nearby Share. Once activated and set up, right-click any file, choose “Share,” and pick a nearby device to which you want to transfer the file.
Nearby Share is fast and secure and saves you from emailing files to yourself or plugging in USB drives, making it particularly useful for those who work across different devices.
Final Thoughts: Small Tweaks Result in Big Payoffs
It is easy to get comfortable with your Chromebook’s default settings and behaviors, but with a few relatively minor tweaks, you can unleash ChromeOS’s full power.
The small yet innovative features you have just read about often go unnoticed, but they can transform your Chromebook experience, save you a ton of time, and massively increase your productivity.
