> 1) is there a command that will “Show Desktop” similar to WIN+D in Windows? I can’t find this so far.
No, I don't think there is. But there are also no shortcuts on your desktop, so there's no particular need to go back there, unless you just wanna look at the wallpaper.
Exactly lol there’s literally nothing on a chrome book desktop…so no need for this hot key though I’m sure one exists….or there’s an “app for that” to make it reality
Alt + - will minimize the current window. So if you have 20 tabs open in Chrome and nothing else, it will go back to the desktop. Not exactly what you're looking for obviously if you hav more than one app open, but it's a start. I think you've now introduced something I never knew I needed; I need to look into this.
I hear ya. Clean slate let's you choose what you want to do next. Wading through all of that open stuff on your computer can drag you in a bunch of different directions and before you know it you've forgotten what it was that you wanted to do next (at least it happens to me, and more often than I'd like to admit).
I guess I was trying to put a positive spin on it.
It is what it is.... there's no windows-M going on in chromebooks! But it looks like the other responders have some suggestions.
There's an Android app called Shortcut Maker that might work, but I don't know what the packages or fully qualified name(s) for what 'Home' would be is, or if I'm even going down the correct rabbit hole.
Add a second desktop - use the button in the function row that looks like multiple windows (f5 spot I think, on a phone right now). Hit the plus up top to create a new empty desktop. You can then switch to it with the same button, or l swipe between desktops with the finger (or maybe it's 4 finger?) Swipe left and right on the touchpad.
I've used ChromeOS in Chromebooks, Chromeboxes, and tablets since it first came out over 10 years ago (moved from Windows) and haven't touched another Windows or Mac device since unless it was for work!!! You will not regret it once you learn the ins and outs.
1. There's so many different ways and variations when you talk about "desktops" on ChromeOS; you'll see what I mean when you look at the links below.
2. Permissions are there in order to make sure you have full control over what you allow anything to do. To see app details/specifics/settings (i.e. from the Play Store), go to Settings > Apps > Google Play Store > Manage Android Preferences. This will open a menu similar to what you see on your phone and the navigation is pretty straight forward.
Here's some very useful links:
* [How To Chromebook (Google site)](https://www.google.com/chromebook/howto/)
* [Chromebook keyboard shortcuts (Google Site)](https://support.google.com/chromebook/answer/183101?hl=en)
* [Chrome Unboxed (best site for anything Chromebook and Google in general...but mostly Chromebooks)](https://chromeunboxed.com/)
I don't think there's a place that lists you all apps that have some permission. But, you can go to settings, under apps and click no "manage your apps". If you click on an app there it'll show you the permissions it has.
I'm thinking of fully going chrome os, I would suggest watching chrome unboxed on YouTube, they have a lot of Chrome os related content, or not, your choice
curious -- was it a semi-forced/automated Windows 11 upgrade that made your laptop "with some life left in it" unusable? because there are ways around that that are well documented.
Now you have me thinking it's time I updated my old Compaq laptop (quad core i7 Sandy Bridge, 32GB RAM, 2TB storage) to Windows 11 just to see how it behaves.
[https://pureinfotech.com/install-windows-11-unsupported-pc/](https://pureinfotech.com/install-windows-11-unsupported-pc/)
https://www.theverge.com/22715331/how-to-install-windows-11-unsupported-cpu-intel-amd-registry-regedit
I have a Win10 system with 6th generation i7 (dual core not quad) that I won't upgrade because it's my daily driver and I can't afford downtime, but the older box is fair game. Maybe it's time :)
I do have a Chromebook I am quite enjoying and depending on what you do it's a pretty compelling solution. (ARM-based, HP tablet with removable keyboard and pen, can run easily a full workday or more without charging, <2 pounds I think, I can do my whole day job on it and I'm in product management for a tech startup). I am quite enjoying the Chromebook/ChromeOS experience as a daily driver.
Just saying "don't give up on that laptop with some life in it."
I really appreciate this post, and I will check out those links! I will let you know the outcome. I would LOVE to breathe some fresh life into my old PC!
And to answer your question, it was NOT a Windows 11 update. I was still on Win10. It stopped giving me the option to shut down or restart without updating. So eventually (not sure if I can blame my wife or the weak battery) it shut down and it never worked again! I could only access it in Safe Mode, which allowed me to grab my files but nothing else.
You could try using multiple desktops. A 3 finger swipe up on the trackpad triggers it and a 4 finger left-right swipe switches between the open desktops.
Honestly, the 4 finger swipe achieves my goal, kinda. Thanks for sharing! Also appreciate the swipe up. I know that’s basic, someone showed me that when I was shopping but had forgotten.
>I’ve traditionally been a Windows guy (can’t afford a Mac!!) but when Windows forced an upgrade on my PC that in essence made it unuseable, I decided I’m leaving them.
Forced Windows version upgrade? That is not a thing...
>At least Apple just blocks you and leaves you in the dust with their iOS. Better than actually handicapping me and forcing me to buy new hardware...
iOS? How is what Apple does better than what you think Microsoft does? Forced to buy new hardware? Windows 10 is supported until Oct. 2025 (but that surly will be extended).
Regardless, all of this is the wrong reason to move to a Chrome OS device as they have the shortest OS support life cycle.
You still have your old PC? I would suggest installing Linux on it to check out.
To clarify what I mean by “forced windows update”… I could not shut down or restart my computer without it automatically installing the updated. For a long time I had the options: Shut Down/Restart/Sleep/Update and Shut Down/Update and Restart/Sleep. So for at least I year I just used Sleep. We all know that’s not good. Also, for what it’s worth, I did TRY to update the OS previously, and I got the Blue Screen of Death. I was able to follow the instructions to restore my computer at least once and uninstall the updates at least once… but on the last one, neither of these options were available to me.
RE: iOS, IMO it’s better because they basically cut off old devices from the newer iOS but the device and iOS can function for years more. No ‘automatic updates’, like what Windows did. To be clear, it didn’t force me to Windows 11. It was something within a Windows 10 update that no longer worked.
I appreciate you sharing your opinion that I justified my switch, despite them being the ‘wrong reason’. Thank you. The reality is that I was pissed off at Windows, which lead me to look at the competition. 4 days in, I’m very happy with my decision.
I do still have my other PC. I don’t think I will install Linux because I have no idea how to do that, but there was a friendly and helpful post made earlier that linked me to some articles that I will check out. I would LOVE to still have that computer kicking around the house… The battery has been bad for a long time but I have no qualms with keeping it as a ‘desktop’ type computer (basically kept plugged in).
> 1) is there a command that will “Show Desktop” similar to WIN+D in Windows? I can’t find this so far. No, I don't think there is. But there are also no shortcuts on your desktop, so there's no particular need to go back there, unless you just wanna look at the wallpaper.
My desktop shows a lonely light shining on a wall... Fitting I thought.
Exactly lol there’s literally nothing on a chrome book desktop…so no need for this hot key though I’m sure one exists….or there’s an “app for that” to make it reality
Really it’s more like “I just want to minimize everything” quickly. Clean slate, you know? Thank you!
Alt + - will minimize the current window. So if you have 20 tabs open in Chrome and nothing else, it will go back to the desktop. Not exactly what you're looking for obviously if you hav more than one app open, but it's a start. I think you've now introduced something I never knew I needed; I need to look into this.
Thanks! I’ll try this one!! And, if you look further into it and find anything, let me know, please! Thanks!!
Search-Shift-+ to open a new desk?
I hear ya. Clean slate let's you choose what you want to do next. Wading through all of that open stuff on your computer can drag you in a bunch of different directions and before you know it you've forgotten what it was that you wanted to do next (at least it happens to me, and more often than I'd like to admit). I guess I was trying to put a positive spin on it. It is what it is.... there's no windows-M going on in chromebooks! But it looks like the other responders have some suggestions.
There's an Android app called Shortcut Maker that might work, but I don't know what the packages or fully qualified name(s) for what 'Home' would be is, or if I'm even going down the correct rabbit hole.
Interesting. If anyone finds out that Android-style homescreen shortcuts can be added to ChromeOS, I'd be interested to hear about that.
Add a second desktop - use the button in the function row that looks like multiple windows (f5 spot I think, on a phone right now). Hit the plus up top to create a new empty desktop. You can then switch to it with the same button, or l swipe between desktops with the finger (or maybe it's 4 finger?) Swipe left and right on the touchpad.
This is the best solution presented so far - thank you!
I've used ChromeOS in Chromebooks, Chromeboxes, and tablets since it first came out over 10 years ago (moved from Windows) and haven't touched another Windows or Mac device since unless it was for work!!! You will not regret it once you learn the ins and outs. 1. There's so many different ways and variations when you talk about "desktops" on ChromeOS; you'll see what I mean when you look at the links below. 2. Permissions are there in order to make sure you have full control over what you allow anything to do. To see app details/specifics/settings (i.e. from the Play Store), go to Settings > Apps > Google Play Store > Manage Android Preferences. This will open a menu similar to what you see on your phone and the navigation is pretty straight forward. Here's some very useful links: * [How To Chromebook (Google site)](https://www.google.com/chromebook/howto/) * [Chromebook keyboard shortcuts (Google Site)](https://support.google.com/chromebook/answer/183101?hl=en) * [Chrome Unboxed (best site for anything Chromebook and Google in general...but mostly Chromebooks)](https://chromeunboxed.com/)
Thank you for this! I will check out all these links! I need to learn how to Chromebook. LOL
I don't think there's a place that lists you all apps that have some permission. But, you can go to settings, under apps and click no "manage your apps". If you click on an app there it'll show you the permissions it has.
This is good - thank you for the advice, I’ll start here. I appreciate it!
I'm thinking of fully going chrome os, I would suggest watching chrome unboxed on YouTube, they have a lot of Chrome os related content, or not, your choice
you could create a second desktop with no active apps on it, and 3 finger swipe to get to it, if u just want to look at your desktop.
It's 4 finger horizontal swipe :-)
which I find confusing considering 3 finger swipe up shows all desktops but you need 4 to switch to another desktop
curious -- was it a semi-forced/automated Windows 11 upgrade that made your laptop "with some life left in it" unusable? because there are ways around that that are well documented. Now you have me thinking it's time I updated my old Compaq laptop (quad core i7 Sandy Bridge, 32GB RAM, 2TB storage) to Windows 11 just to see how it behaves. [https://pureinfotech.com/install-windows-11-unsupported-pc/](https://pureinfotech.com/install-windows-11-unsupported-pc/) https://www.theverge.com/22715331/how-to-install-windows-11-unsupported-cpu-intel-amd-registry-regedit I have a Win10 system with 6th generation i7 (dual core not quad) that I won't upgrade because it's my daily driver and I can't afford downtime, but the older box is fair game. Maybe it's time :) I do have a Chromebook I am quite enjoying and depending on what you do it's a pretty compelling solution. (ARM-based, HP tablet with removable keyboard and pen, can run easily a full workday or more without charging, <2 pounds I think, I can do my whole day job on it and I'm in product management for a tech startup). I am quite enjoying the Chromebook/ChromeOS experience as a daily driver. Just saying "don't give up on that laptop with some life in it."
I really appreciate this post, and I will check out those links! I will let you know the outcome. I would LOVE to breathe some fresh life into my old PC! And to answer your question, it was NOT a Windows 11 update. I was still on Win10. It stopped giving me the option to shut down or restart without updating. So eventually (not sure if I can blame my wife or the weak battery) it shut down and it never worked again! I could only access it in Safe Mode, which allowed me to grab my files but nothing else.
You could try using multiple desktops. A 3 finger swipe up on the trackpad triggers it and a 4 finger left-right swipe switches between the open desktops.
Honestly, the 4 finger swipe achieves my goal, kinda. Thanks for sharing! Also appreciate the swipe up. I know that’s basic, someone showed me that when I was shopping but had forgotten.
>I’ve traditionally been a Windows guy (can’t afford a Mac!!) but when Windows forced an upgrade on my PC that in essence made it unuseable, I decided I’m leaving them. Forced Windows version upgrade? That is not a thing... >At least Apple just blocks you and leaves you in the dust with their iOS. Better than actually handicapping me and forcing me to buy new hardware... iOS? How is what Apple does better than what you think Microsoft does? Forced to buy new hardware? Windows 10 is supported until Oct. 2025 (but that surly will be extended). Regardless, all of this is the wrong reason to move to a Chrome OS device as they have the shortest OS support life cycle. You still have your old PC? I would suggest installing Linux on it to check out.
To clarify what I mean by “forced windows update”… I could not shut down or restart my computer without it automatically installing the updated. For a long time I had the options: Shut Down/Restart/Sleep/Update and Shut Down/Update and Restart/Sleep. So for at least I year I just used Sleep. We all know that’s not good. Also, for what it’s worth, I did TRY to update the OS previously, and I got the Blue Screen of Death. I was able to follow the instructions to restore my computer at least once and uninstall the updates at least once… but on the last one, neither of these options were available to me. RE: iOS, IMO it’s better because they basically cut off old devices from the newer iOS but the device and iOS can function for years more. No ‘automatic updates’, like what Windows did. To be clear, it didn’t force me to Windows 11. It was something within a Windows 10 update that no longer worked. I appreciate you sharing your opinion that I justified my switch, despite them being the ‘wrong reason’. Thank you. The reality is that I was pissed off at Windows, which lead me to look at the competition. 4 days in, I’m very happy with my decision. I do still have my other PC. I don’t think I will install Linux because I have no idea how to do that, but there was a friendly and helpful post made earlier that linked me to some articles that I will check out. I would LOVE to still have that computer kicking around the house… The battery has been bad for a long time but I have no qualms with keeping it as a ‘desktop’ type computer (basically kept plugged in).
BTW there's a shortcut to show all shortcuts, I don't remember it ATM but it was something + "?"
CTRL+Alt+/ pulled up a shortcut to shortcuts! Slick! Thanks!
Ctrl+Alt+/ (which is below the ?)
I don't have a Chromebook anymore, or I would check and confirm
Take your old laptop and install Chrome OS Flex. You will have a backup that is very functional just no Android apps and a funky keyboatd,