ChromeOS Because Chromebooks are known for being quick, easy, and inexpensive, they can be used by a variety of users who are searching for a computer that just works. Chromebooks aren’t entirely dull, though, and they contain some trickery that can help you get more out of the devices or be more productive. A handful of such functions are concealed within Chrome flags, while others are there in the operating system and just need to be found. These are 18 ChromeOS hidden features that you have most likely never utilized.
1-Desks that are virtual
More individuals should start utilizing the incredibly underutilized ChromeOS feature known as Virtual Desk. It enables you to run separate sets of applications on numerous “Desks.” One desk might be used for Google Classroom and a few other apps, while another desk might be used for all of the leisure or gaming apps.
This facilitates multitasking. To access a virtual desk, swipe up on the trackpad with three fingers. Use the ChromeOS keyboard shortcut Shift + Launcher + to transfer desks. All of the existing desks can be opened with a special desk key. The sixth key from the left is typically it. To switch between Desks, you may also use the trackpad’s four fingers to swipe left or right.
2-Put the desk away for later
Speaking of virtual desks, the Save Desk for Later function is another unnoticed feature that is worth mentioning. It preserves a desk so you don’t have to open a new desk and reopen the same set of apps, as you could have already figured.
Additionally, it recalls the apps’ orientation and whether they were taken in a specific manner. When a saved Desk is opened, it will open precisely how you saved it. You might save time and effort by using this functionality.
3-The environment for Linux development
We believe that many individuals are losing out on Linux’s advantages because they have never heard of or used it, even though Linux support may not be a truly hidden feature. With ChromeOS, Linux offers limitless possibilities for software development, games, desktop applications, and utilities.
It entirely changes your Chromebook from being a dull experience because it doesn’t have desktop software to feeling like a desktop operating system instead. Additionally, running Linux on a Chromebook could be a fantastic place to start if you want to contribute to the software business, as mastering Linux is a highly desired skill.
4-Using Linux for sideloading
Developer Mode had to be enabled in the past in order to sideload Android apps on ChromeOS. It’s easy to enable, but it takes a Powerwash to disable. Google quickly released a second method for sideloading ChromeOS software via Linux, which we have covered in detail in our post on sideloading ChromeOS apps.
If your Chromebook supports Linux, all you have to do is turn on ADB Debugging from Develop Android apps. After that, you can open the terminal and sideload any application you wish to use using ADB.
5-Automatic Wallpaper Change
One of the most underutilized Chromebook features is this one. It can become monotonous to stare at the same wallpaper every day. ChromeOS offers several customization options. The Change Daily feature is one of them.
ChromeOS has a number of wallpaper packs, and you may use the Change Daily option to request that ChromeOS swap them every day. Nevertheless, we would like ChromeOS to allow us to save our images in a pack and shuffle them every day.
6-Welcome Recap
One of ChromeOS’s more recent features is Welcome Recap. When your Chromebook suddenly goes down, it’s similar to the “Restore” popup message. The only distinction is that you have the option to have the Welcome Recap show up following every restart. The fact that you can take up where you left off and save a ton of time is one of the best things about this tool.
Assume that when you closed the device, you had many Chrome tabs open in addition to a few extensions and PWAs. On the subsequent boot, Welcome Recap will ask if you wish to restore them. The apps will be returned to their original locations and layouts if you select “yes.”
7-Clipboard on ChromeOS
The Launcher + V shortcut can be used to access the clipboard in ChromeOS, just like it does in Windows. It’s fantastic that it can save the last five items you copied, including pictures. One of the five previously copied items can be clicked to be pasted. Given that it’s one of ChromeOS’s most underutilized capabilities, it merits inclusion on our list.
8-Gaming on Steam
The days when ChromeOS was thought to be appropriate exclusively for casual users and students are long gone. Now that Steam is officially compatible with ChromeOS, playing games is simple. To get started, simply Open the launcher, type in Steam, and select Install Steam. Steam should be installed quickly after the setup process starts.
Steam is not your only option. Because Linux is available, you can install different game launchers, such as Heroic, to play your collection of Epic Games on ChromeOS.
9-Personalize Shortcuts on the Keyboard
ChromeOS 123 was the first version to allow keyboard key customization. You may alter a key’s function with this handy functionality. Device > Keyboard and input > Customize keyboard keys is where you can find the feature. To open Assistant, for instance, you can configure the Launcher key.
10-Personalize the Mouse Keys
Mouse customizations were introduced in ChromeOS 123, which is very new, albeit they are not entirely concealed. This is a great feature that shows up in the Device area as soon as you attach a multi-button mouse. The ability to map buttons to various functions can therefore be used to boost your overall productivity.
11-Capture GIFs
Without Chrome Flags, no article about ChromeOS hidden features is complete. Chrome has a tonne of flags://flags, and the Record GIFs flag is by far my favorite. ChromeOS allows you to take screenshots and record your screen, but if you want to make the screen recordings smaller, you might want to convert them to GIF, which is an additional step.
No, not if the #ash-capture-mode-gif-recording flag is enabled. Once enabled, you should see a small arrow next to “Record screen.” Try choosing the region you wish to record. After that, you may choose Record GIF to begin recording in GIF format.
12-Configure Steam at the Proper Scaling
On ChromeOS, Steam’s scaling seems a little strange. You might need to squint your eyes to navigate the user interface because the window and its contents appear small. Google is aware of the problem, though, and Chrome Flags has a solution. The scaling problems should be resolved if you simply enable the #borealis-force-double-scale setting.
13-View Files Fast
It could take a long time to look for an image among hundreds of others. Additionally, it’s not very easy to discover the image you’re looking for in the default display. Although there is some improvement with the thumbnail view, the photographs and their features are still too small. Then, just as on macOS, you can rapidly preview a file on ChromeOS by using the space bar. This will enable you to swiftly scan through pictures.
14-Diminish the brightness of the keyboard backlight
Keyboard shortcuts are necessary if you wish to dim or switch off the backlighting on your Chromebook in order to conserve battery life. To adjust the brightness of your keyboard lighting, press the Alt + Display Brightness shortcut.
15-Activate the Function Keys
The absence of function keys is something that many people who are moving from Windows will notice right away. The top-most row of keys is treated as function keys by ChromeOS’s Treat top-row as function keys feature. You can press the Launcher key while using the top row of keys to access their original functionality
16-The screen saver
Although it’s not entirely hidden, not many people utilize the Screensaver option. Indeed, a lot of people would rather that their Chromebook sleep while not in use rather than show battery-consuming images. Nonetheless, ChromeOS offers the ability to show images from the Google Photos album. You might make use of the feature if you have a lot of artwork or pleasant memories that you would like to be reminded of.
17-Turn on Caps Lock
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Some Windows users might find ChromeOS’s lack of Caps Lock confusing, although it’s not entirely removed from the operating system. On a Chromebook, you may activate Caps Lock by pressing Alt + Launcher. To turn it off again, use the same shortcut.