Shortcuts make it much easier to interact with an operating system and help you amp up productivity. Windows and macOS both have a wide range of shortcuts. Chromebooks are considered fast machines, but there’s always room to speed up things. So here are all the Chromebook shortcuts you can use to navigate ChromeOS like a pro.
We’ve divided these shortcuts into different categories. You can click on the links below to jump to the corresponding sections. Do note that this list contains essentials only.
Chromebook Essential Shortcuts
| Shortcut Descriptions | Shortcuts |
|---|---|
| Preview a File | Space |
| Delete a File/Folder | Alt + Backspace |
| Turn Caps Lock On/Off | Alt + Launcher |
| Create a New Folder in Files | Ctrl + E |
| Take a Full-page Screenshot | Ctrl + Overview button |
| Take a Screenshot of a Selected Area | Ctrl + Alt + Overview button |
| Take a Screenshot of an Active Window | Ctrl + Shift + Overview button |
| Rename a File / Folder | Control + Enter |
| Snap a Window to the Left | Alt+ [ |
| Snap a Window to the Right | Alt + ] |
| Lock the Screen | Launcher + L |
| Open Status Bar / Notifications | Alt + Shift + N |
| Move to the Address Bar | Ctrl + L or Alt + D |
| Launch Task Manager | Launcher + Esc |
| Open the Files App | Alt + Shift + M |
| Launch Shelf Apps (1-9) | Alt + 1-9 |
| Switch Between Apps | Alt + Tab |
| Switch Between Tabs | Ctrl + Tab |
| Close the Current Tab | Ctrl + W |
| Reopen the Last Closed Tab | Ctrl + Shift + T |
| Create a New Desk | Shift + Launcher + = |
| Switch Between Virtual Desks | Launcher + ] or Launcher + [ |
| Maximize and Minimize a Window | Alt + = |
| Access your clipboard | Launcher + V |
| Access Emojis and GIFs | Launcher + Shift + Space |
Chrome Browser Shortcuts
We already have a Chrome browser shortcuts list for Windows, macOS, and Linux, which should also work on ChromeOS. Here are a few handy, essential Chrome browser shortcuts.
Shortcut Descriptions Shortcuts Open the Chrome Menu (Web Apps Only) Alt + E Go to Specific Tabs in Chrome (1-9) Ctrl + 1-9 Hide/Unhide Bookmarks Bar Ctrl + Shift + B Page up and Page down Launcher+ Up or Down arrows Clear Browsing Data Ctrl + Shift + Backspace Go to Downloads Ctrl + J Open a new Chrome Window Ctrl + N Open a new Chrome Incognito Window Ctrl + Shift + N Cycle through tabs: Right to left / Left to right Ctrl + Tab / Ctrl + Alt + Tab
Text Editing Shortcuts
Text editing shortcuts in Chromebooks are quite similar to those on Windows. They’re primarily used to select and copy the text and paste it somewhere else.
Shortcut Description Shortcut Select All the Text Ctrl + A Copy Text/Files/Folders Ctrl + C Cut Text/Files/Folders Ctrl + X Paste Content Ctrl + V Paste Content Without Formatting Ctrl + Shift + V Move to the Beginning/End of Text Launcher+ Left or Right key Use Forward Delete Launcher + Backspace
ChromeOS System Shortcuts
System shortcuts are used to control everything from the hardware functions of the Chromebook to opening the Crosh and logging out of your Chromebook. There aren’t many of them since Chromebooks have dedicated keys to control different hardware functions.
Shortcut Description Shortcut Manage Backlit Keyboard Brightness Alt + Brightness key Log out of Your Chromebook Ctrl + Shift + Q (twice) Open Chrome OS Development Shell (Crosh) Ctrl + Alt + T Use Chromebook Function Keys Enable in Settings Change Screen resolution Ctrl + Shift and + or – Get Help Ctrl + ? See All Chromebook Shortcuts Ctrl + Alt + /
Chromebook Trackpad Shortcuts
There are a few trackpad gestures that make navigating, switching windows and tabs, and zooming in or out much easier.
Actions Trackpad Gestures Zoom in/out Pinch two fingers together (zoom in) or spread two fingers apart (zoom out) Go back/forward one page Swipe left / right with two fingers Swipe left/right with two fingers Swipe up with three fingers Switch between open windows (In Overview mode) Swipe left or right with three fingers Switch between virtual desks Swipe left or right with four fingers
There are a number of other Chromebook shortcuts, but they are the basic ones, which we are pretty sure you’d know from your Windows and Mac experience. These are the best Chromebook shortcuts you should know and use to become more productive. Did we miss any other useful shortcuts? Let us know in the comments.
