Chromebook
Google is a technology company, and a search engine. Google develops ChromeOS, the operating system that Chromebooks run, focusing on software and cloud services.
Chromebooks run ChromeOS and use a solid state drive (SSD). The SSD boots up in seconds and connects to the internet almost instantaneously. Updates are managed automatically so Chromebooks actually become faster and more secure over time.
Chromebook uses your Google account and Wifi. Have your login credentials handy to sign in using your username and password.
Google help
Chrome web browser
ChromeOS is an operating system developed by Google, and the Chrome web browser is the main user interface for ChromeOS. ChromeOS is browser-based and cloud-powered.
ChromeOS is made to run web services by Google. It is based on the Linux kernel and uses the Google Chrome web browser as its principal user interface. Think Wifi. ChromeOS primarily supports web applications.
The browser that gets more done. Chrome Download Chrome, for Windows 11/10 64-bit
the Cloud
Chromebook runs Cloud-based apps. An app/application is a software program that runs on a remote server that users access through Chrome/ web browser over the internet. On your laptop launch Chrome/web browser, then launch your Google account. Select an app, e.g. Drive or Gmail. Bam, you're a remote user.
launch your music app to get your music tracks/playlists, Send it to a Bluetooth speaker. Settings / Connect a Bluetooth speaker.
Google Cloud is a collection of cloud computing services such as computers and hard disk drives that are contained in data centers around the globe. When you log in to your Google account you get connected to a center to access your files.
Google account
the first step is to create an account, for personal use. Think of a username, then think of a strong password: a string of random numbers and letters, 1 symbol, 1 capital. Make an office folder and record a hardcopy.
login
at the login screen: you only have to enter susie in the first input field if your username is susie@gmail.com. Now hit Enter. In the next screen enter your password. Done.
Apps
access the Google apps: Drive, Docs, Photos, Calendar, Contacts, Gmail, and more.
▼ Apps
Help your Chromebook function better
clear your web browser
Ctrl + Shift + Delete (simultaneously)
clear your web browser of the junk that websites add that can slow you down. Delete browsing data in Chrome use keyboard keys: Ctrl + Shift + Delete (simultaneously)
free up space on your Chromebook
it runs faster when you have free space on your machine. Only when needed. free up space
both hands on the keyboard
use keyboard keys: Ctrl + Alt + / (Ctrl + Alt + ?) Chromebook has function keys F1 - F10 on the top row are assigned to certain tasks.
| Search and app launcher | |
| Alt + Tab | toggle between windows |
 |
F5 switch key to show all your open windows |
| Move between apps | swipe with 2 fingers on the touchpad, either left or right |
 More
|
Create a shortcut |
| Right-click | press or tap on the touchpad with 2 fingers (or press Alt, then click with 1 finger) |
| Scroll | place 2 fingers on the touchpad and move them up and down to scroll vertically |
| Ctrl + t | open a new tab |
| Ctrl + w | close the current tab you're on |
| Ctrl + l | jump to address bar (location) |
| Space | scroll down the page |
| Alt + ▲ | page up |
| Alt + ▼ | page down |
| Ctrl + r | reload your current page |
| Ctrl + d | save current page as a bookmark |
| Ctrl + Shift + b | show or hide the bookmarks bar |
Apps
Chromebook comes with all the apps you need, and there are more available on Google Play
open the laptop and take notice at the bottom of your screen there is a row of apps called the shelf: Gmail, Chrome, YouTube, etc. And at screen bottom on the right is status: Time, Wifi, Battery, and Profile. Learn more customize the shelf Google
Drive
Google Drive is the app for sharing online docs, and storage. Drive Google
Apps / Drive / + New / then select either Photos, Docs, Forms, Sheets
Google Docs
Google Docs is for sharing online docs. Docs Google
Sharing
a quick read on sharing
extensive documentation on sharing: Stop, limit, or change sharing Google
Photos
Google Photos is for editing, organizing, searching photos. photos Google
create an album:
+ Album, or select Create an album. Add a title, Add photos. Select from computer.
sharing:
Sharing. Options: toggle them all off except Link sharing. Toggle Off: Notifications, Share photo location, Collaborate, and Comments. Then select Copy link.
Contacts
Google Contacts is for managing your friend's email, tel, address. Contacts training and help Google
Gmail
Gmail is the free online email. Gmail Google
Calendar
Google Calendar is a shareable online calendar. How to share a calendar:
My calendars calendar_ccc hover over this calendar to see options (...) options Settings and sharing Access permissions for events do not make available to public [ ] Make available to public do not Get shareable link ( Get shareable link ) Share with specific people enter: group_admin Permissions See all event details and lastly, send people an email to invite Send
YouTube
YouTube is a free video sharing platform owned by Google. Premium is $12/mo with no commercials. YouTube YouTube
Meet
Google Meet is a free video communication service. The app is available on Android and iOS. You can conference call with up to 8 people. Download the app on the Google Play store or the Apple store. Install the app, and then link the app to your Google account for enhanced features.
privacy: Google gives you control over your data. Google Cloud (which offers Meet) does not use customer data for advertising, and does not sell customer data to third parties. Customer data is encrypted in transit. Comes with end to end encryption, a standard security method that protects communications data. Google does not store video, audio, or chat data unless you record the Meet session.
language
- Translate language: select play, then pause the video
- select
Settings - Subtitles/CC select the ▼
- Translate captions (maybe click on selection above to expose this option)
- Auto-translate select the ▼ and finally scroll down to select a language e.g. Japanese
Wifi
your internet provider installs a router and provides the wireless network name and password. Record your login info and keep it safe and separate from your Chromebook.
if you go to a new location then you must make a new connection to the router at the new location. When you return home, you must make a connection to your home network. Your Chromebook will search for it automatically, and remember your settings, all you have to do is make the switch.
Settings, Internet connection, Wifi
from the desktop you will be using the status area to get to Settings, Internet connection, Wifi.
- click the status area: lower right of the screen with Time, Wifi, Battery, Profile picture
- a window will appear
- choose Settings
- under Internet connection choose Wifi network
- type the network password
- click Connect
TV How to connect to your TV
How to mirror the screen to a larger screen: direct connect the Chromebook to any TV or monitor. First, close the Chromebook, and then use an HDMI cable to connect the Chromebook output to the TV input. Then open the Chromebook, and press and hold the Ctrl key while you hit the full screen key.
Ctrl + [full screen]
or try 1. click the Notification area in lower right corner. 2. click the Mirroring to xxxx TV 3. in the Manage Displays popup window choose Option: Start mirroring
Learn more about how to Connect your Chromebook to a TV
text editing
| command | result |
|---|---|
| Shift + ▶ | select characters to the right |
| Backspace | delete |
| Alt + Backspace | forward delete the Chromebook does not have a Delete key |
| Ctrl + c | copy text |
| Ctrl + v | paste text |
| Ctrl + a | select all |
| Ctrl + x | cut |
| Ctrl + s | save |
YouTube TV
YouTubeTV is a live TV streaming service, owned by YouTube, a subsidiary of Google. $80/mo.
crosh
Chrome OS includes a shell environment.
to access the command line on a Chromebook, you can use the Chrome shell (crosh).
open the Chrome browser and press Ctrl + Alt + T to open the crosh shell. Type help for a list of commands. Stop any command in crosh by Ctrl + C.
'ssh' is a built-in command to connect to SSH servers.
'top' command from Linux, to display all the low-level processes that might be using resources.
'sound' to record audio from your microphone, and then play it back later.
sound record 10 to record 10 seconds of audio
crosh includes terminal commands: ssh, help, top, ping, sound. 10+ commands howtogeek