Top 25 tips and hacks to make the most out of your Chromebook

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If you’re looking to enjoy ChromeOS like never before, you must tap into its full potential. This guide will walk you through the top 25 tips and hacks to make the most of your Chromebook daily, so you never have to look at another tutorial again. Keep reading until the end to discover all the different ways ChromeOS can be tuned to yield the most productive results.

The operating system at hand has evolved significantly from its initial release. The Chromebooks that come out today differ from how things used to go down a decade earlier. Google has made many strides in improving how its operating system plays out for millions of users across the board, and if you assess the condition of ChromeOS in 2022, it’s easy to see why.

With that said, let’s dive right into this guide with no further ado. You’ll leave here knowledgeable and well-equipped after absorbing all the 25 tips we’ve outlined.

25 of the best tips and hacks to pump your Chromebook up

The following is our cherry-picked collection of tips and tricks to make your Chromebook stand out and be better than ever.

1. Keep your Chromebook up-to-date

Keeping your Chromebook up-to-date is one of the wisest tips we have for you in this master article. If you wish to keep your device working in full flight most of the time, don’t make short work of that prompt when the Chromebook tells you to pay attention to the update.

Updating the device from time to time sets you up to receive the latest software improvements, bug fixes, security patches, and other vital tweaks, without which survival can be difficult.

One of the significant benefits of using this operating system is that all updates occur in the background. You don’t have to update it as ChromeOS automates the procedure. All that’s needed to do on your end is a quick restart, and you will be good to go. The latter is nothing but effortless, so you shouldn’t be too troubled by it.

The fault will be on you if there’s still a delay in completing ChromeOS updates, which is no less than the cornerstone of what makes your Chromebook run fast.

• If you’d like to learn how to get your device on the latest software version, check out our curated guide on how to update your Chromebook.

2. Free up some RAM

The device’s internal storage is crucial for keeping the performance stable and swift. If there’s a lack of sufficient RAM on the device, it’s inevitable for the device to start getting dragged down. That way, you are bound to experience difficulty completing the most unchallenging of processes on ChromeOS.

In many cases, some applications or programs may even cease to launch because of internal storage insufficiency. Therefore, ensure that you know how to find the RAM size on ChromeOS and acknowledge the clean-up process of unwanted files accordingly.

That is why we would like to refer you to our specialized guide on freeing up RAM on Chromebook. We’ve discussed different ways you can always approach to keep your device working perfectly in the guide, so do give it a shot.

Using RAM-smart extensions like OneTab and The Great Suspender on top of clearing the Chrome browser’s cache from time to time is sure to keep your device running like new.

If you’re after a more detailed tutorial on how exactly you can do all that, don’t forget to check out the interlinked article. In the meantime, pay heed to the forthcoming subtitle. It is closely related to the point that we’ve made here.

3. Set up your Chromebook with cloud storage

Constituting one of the best unconventional ways of saving up storage space on ChromeOS, cloud-focused solutions have amassed their fair share of popularity in the age we live in today. A hefty portion of the networking world depends on cloud computing technology to get things done, and rightfully so.

The goal is to keep local data off your Chromebook, so it never slows down or houses too much of a challenge for optimal functioning. Thankfully, there are plenty of high-quality options in this regard. If you’re a curious person looking to check out the best cloud storage options in the business, look at pCloud.

pCloud is very well established because it starts users by offering them 10 GB for free. From there on out, users can choose to upgrade to higher subscription plans and enjoy the benefits that come afterward. If pCloud puts you off for some reason, feel free to check out some of the other top cloud-based storage offerings we’ve got lined up for you.

Free your Chromebook from the shackles of your private data and send everything to secure, flexible platforms online. Doing so will ensure you get the most out of your Chromebook and not bog down the system due to heavy local downloads.

4. Clear the Chrome browser’s cache and data

Spending hours and hours on the internet will likely lead you to accumulate a lot of browsing history and cache over time. The latter, in specific, is flat-out temporary and serves the purpose of loading web pages faster than your previous visits.

As time progresses, however, the cached data can get outdated and thereby cause inconsistencies with new information that gets updated with the website.

That is why you should occasionally erase the Google Chrome history and cache to keep your browsing working in full flight. The matter at hand can get pretty detailed, so we urge you to check out our complete guide on how to check and clear the browsing history on Google Chrome for a step-by-step tutorial.

5. Give your Chromebook a new look

One of the first things you should try to make the most out of your Chromebook pertains to changing the wallpaper. Bid farewell to the age-old image that comprises your ChromeOS desktop and slap on something different for a change. Doing so will help keep things fresh.

Fortunately, Chromebooks do it very well in providing users with a comprehensive variety of system-installed wallpapers to choose from. The affair is then made wholly effortless for one to apply new wallpaper to the Chromebook desktop. However, this is just about the main home screen of the device.

If you want to switch up the operating system’s style, you must tend to Google Chrome for the best results. The good news is that it’s pretty painless to modify the Chrome browser on ChromeOS. Pop open a new tab on the famed web crawler and tap on the “Customize this page” button in the lower-right corner of the screen.

Once done, a small-scale window will appear on the screen, allowing you to personalize the home page and the overall theme of Google Chrome. Please check out our personalized article on how to give ChromeOS a new look using these tweaks if you genuinely want to dumb things down.

6. Enable Linux and try the best Linux apps around

Chromebooks come with their very own Linux container. Simply put, this is fantastic news for ChromeOS. The feature at hand revamps the operating system’s functionality by leaps and bounds, making the device more robust than its previous stature.

It’s pretty easy to get Linux up and running on the device since there’s a separate section available for it right within the “Settings” portion of the device. Continue down to the “Developers” section of the “Settings” app to eventually find the option to enable Linux on your Chromebook. It’s as easy as that if we’re being frank.

As soon as you’re done, the next step is to enjoy the top 20 Linux apps available for you to install on ChromeOS. The most robust Linux software does no less than offering a great user experience. For instance, OpenShot Video Editor is a terrific video editing software that can compensate for the lack of Adobe Photoshop on Chromebooks. However, that too is officially making headway for the lightweight operating system.

7. Get an anti-malware program for ChromeOS

We’ve already gone long and hard over Chromebooks needing antivirus software, and the conclusion is pretty straightforward. ChromeOS is something that doesn’t require such a program, thanks to its brilliant security functioning.

The operating system features tip-top functionality in protecting its framework, such as Verified Boot. You can even take it from here that ChromeOS has never been hit with ransomware. Installing an antivirus program for the tiny percentage that dictates the chances of Chromebooks getting hit with some virus is still advisable.

We’re sure that the top 5 antivirus software for Chromebook will help you make a robust decision for this purpose. After personal use and thorough research, Avast Antivirus on ChromeOS is an excellent choice. It has several extra features, including junk clear-up and cache removal, which are integral for your device’s functioning.

8. Download and play some fun Android games

Thanks to their integration with the Google Play Store, Chromebooks can be truly fun-filled devices of entertainment. Feel free to explore the famous Android marketplace for some high-quality games and apps. If you’re packing a specced-out machine like the Acer Chromebook Spin 713, you’ll have a blast experiencing the top 10 fun games to play on ChromeOS.

Some unique options include Genshin Impact and PUBG Mobile, which are pretty high-ranking in their respective categories and deliver an excellent gaming experience on ChromeOS. Harness the power of your device’s hardware and relish a smooth gaming experience to make the most out of the Chromebook.

9. Try Nearby Share

Nearby Share got added to the arsenal of ChromeOS features in the 91st stable release of the operating system. It’s a feature that makes sharability fast, easy, and simple between friends, family, and co-workers.

The best way to get to Nearby Share on your Chromebook is through the Status Tray—the utilitarian menu can be found in the lower-right corner of the ChromeOS interface. You can also see the time, Wi-Fi icon, battery life, and other important system components.

Clicking on it will reveal many options for you, and one of them will be Nearby Share. Click on it to proceed.

As soon as you click the relative button, you’ll be taken straight to the main menu of Nearby Share within the device’s “Settings” app. Upon arriving there, you’ll be notified that your Chromebook is now appearing visible to other nearby devices. Therefore, Nearby Share on your device has been enabled now.

This is only half part of the whole process. We suggest checking out our guide on how to share files with devices using Nearby Share in ChromeOS for further instructions. For now, let’s check out the following top tip available in the guide for you.

10. Enable the Overview Button

You can enable a dedicated “Overview” button in the far-right corner of your Chromebook’s shelf area. This will allow you to utilize the multitasking capability of Chrome OS, especially when you’re using several virtual desks at once.

However, the feature at hand is a Chrome flag you will need to enable yourself. It doesn’t come pre-loaded at the moment for stability reasons. Type in the following into the omnibox of the Chrome browser and press the “Enter” key.

 chrome://flags#ash-overview-button

After being taken straight to that specific flag, enable it and restart the device to apply the changes. You’ll observe the “Overview” button perfectly positioned on your Chromebook shelf as soon as you’re done.

11. Try out Calendar View

Calendar View isn’t enabled on Chrome OS by default. It’s still experimental, so you’ll have to tend to the accessibility-oriented feature. Fret not, though. Toggling it on is straightforward and painless and warrants a similar procedure as enabling the “Overview” button.

It adds an extra “date” section in the Status Tray area of the Chromebook’s shelf, making it painless to check out today’s date at a glance. Type in the following into the address bar of your Chrome browser and enable the Calendar View functionality on the go.

chrome://flags#calendar-view

After enabling the experimental feature, you’ll restart the Chromebook to finalize the changes. As soon as the device boots back on, you’ll observe Calendar View in the bottom-right corner of the ChromeOS interface.

12. Get the best camera apps on ChromeOS

ChromeOS is better with the best camera apps in the business, so you can always capture stunning photos of yourself and everything around you whenever you need to. Thankfully, specific picks like Adobe Lightroom, Cymera, and Line Camera can help you get started with spectacular photo-taking without breaking a sweat.

Find out all that you need to know about this matter in our top 10 camera apps for your Chromebook guide.

13. Adjust your cursor’s size

Notice the ChromeOS cursor? Its size can be changed at will. Different individuals have different preferences in this regard, so it’s worth checking out what cursor size suits you the best.

To switch up this setting, go into your Chromebook’s “Settings” app and head to the “Accessibility” section. Once you’re within the “Manage accessibility features” area, scroll down until you find the “Show large mouse cursor” area.

Click on the toggle beside it and adjust the size until you’ve found your preference. Check out the following screenshot if you’re after more information on the matter at hand.

14. Organize your virtual workspace

ChromeOS features virtual desks and not just any but updated ones that offer high productivity levels. Swipe three fingers on your Chromebook’s trackpad, and the desktop will allow you to enter into the “Overview” mode. From there, check out the section on the top for a plus sign alongside “New desk.”

Click on it to add another desktop to your Chromebook. We advise you to make better use of all your desktops by renaming them. Click ” Desk ” below the small-scale screen to give your desktop another name. The rectangular icon in the screenshot below depicts where to click.

Check out our detailed guide on updated ChromeOS virtual desks for more helpful information.

15. Clear the Chrome browser’s cache

Clearing up the cache of the Chrome browser is important to keep it running great. Over time, a ton of junk can accumulate in the Chrome browser and lead to drops in the overall performance, not to mention consistent crashing. It’s pretty simple to clear up the cache, browsing history, and other data on Google Chrome. Follow the instructions in our specialized how to clear cache and cookies on Google Chrome for the best results.

16. Try out the ChromeOS screenshot tool

The native screenshot tool provided to Chromebook users is a personal favorite over at Chrome Ready. It just makes life so much easier and negates the use of third-party screenshot tools as well, although you are going to need them for annotation purposes. Press the “Ctrl” and “Show Windows” keys together, and you’ll instantly snap a screenshot.

If you want more control in that regard, add another key to the mix—Shift—to enjoy more flexibility. We’ve dished out a complete guide on how to take a screenshot on a Chromebook, so do check that out if you want step-by-step instructions.

17. Switch up the shelf’s location

You no longer have to settle for the Chromebook shelf to one side of the desktop interface. Double-tap the ChromeOS home screen and hover over “Change self position.” Once done, select the direction where you want the shelf to be placed, and that will do it promptly.

18. Utilize your Chromebook’s Launcher

The Chromebook Launcher isn’t what it used to be anymore. Its functionality has expanded by leaps and bounds and is now capable enough to answer simple questions for you. For example, the ChromeOS Launcher solves mathematical equations and tells you the weather.

Next time, don’t fire up the Chrome browser for other small-scale operations such as these. tap on the “Search” button and type in your query for the Chromebook Launcher. You’re bound to receive favorable results that way.

19. Review the device’s specifications easily

There’s a neat trick that you can employ to discover your Chromebook’s specifications effortlessly. Type the following into the address bar to pull up essential system diagnostic data; definitely worth the effort for some of the most tech-savvy Chromebook users.

chrome://system

20. Instantly open a new tab with a trackpad gesture

One massive productivity boost that lets you get things done quicker is learning to open new tabs when hovering over links quickly. Spot an appropriate opening but instead of double-tapping on it to select “Open link in a new tab,” tap on the link concurrently using three fingers, preferable using your index, middle, and ring finger.

That is bound to instantly open up that link in a new tab, thereby increasing your productivity.

21. Learn cursive writing

The ChromeOS cursive application is now becoming a norm in 2-in-1 Chromebooks with USI stylus compatibility. This innovative application makes it possible to write, draw, or jot down ideas creatively and, better yet, learn cursive writing.

We highly encourage letting your little one get into this domain for fruitful learning and exploring the realm of graphic designing and sketching. Do check out how to do cursive writing on your Chromebook for more detail on this.

22. Use keyboard shortcuts

Chromebook users can do well within the boundaries of their work or personal life online if they learn how to use their devices more efficiently. As it happens, this is all that keyboard shortcuts are about on ChromeOS, providing users with the speed and skill they require to conquer their work sessions a day in and day out.

Check out our detailed write-up on how to see keyboard shortcuts on a Chromebook for more information. A separate window pops up on the desktop interface where all usable shortcuts are grouped in different categories. Check them out, and you’ll see how much of a boost you receive in your overall productivity.

23. Try out the ChromeOS developer mode

We advise against employing the vast stretches of the ChromeOS developer mode, but if you’re genuinely trying to push your Chromebook to its limits, you must try it out at least once.

The developer mode offers distinct changes to the operating system as a whole, but strictly in the sense that you become capable of installing other operating systems on your Chromebook.

This includes Windows 10, 11, Ubuntu, GalliumOS, and CloudReady, which have seamlessly transitioned into ChromeOS Flex. If this is something that piques your interest, do try this experimental-grade feature out and let us know how it goes down in the comments section.

24. Turn on Night Light for better readability

It’s worth turning on the Night Light feature if you use your Chromebook late at night for reading purposes or anything of the like. Click on the Status Tray area and tap on “Night Light” to get it done.

25. Know how to Powerwash the Chromebook

If your Chromebook starts giving you a ton of trouble, including error codes, bugs, and glitches, or you’re simply looking to clean up the device before selling it to someone, you have to learn how to Powerwash your Chromebook. This essential trick of hard resetting the device is integral when it boils down to multiple scenarios, as you understand by now.

We’ve curated a complete guide on how to Powerwash your Chromebook to achieve the purpose. Please take a look at it for more information and step-by-step instructions. As for the gist of it, you have to venture into the “Settings” app of your Chromebook and make way to the “Reset settings” area, which falls under the “Advanced” portion itself.

When you’re there, click the “Powerwash” button, and the process will begin. No need to delve into anything other than following the on-screen instructions.

Conclusion

Chromebooks may seem simple on the outside, but these reasonably minimalistic devices can get pretty involved, provided you’re willing to go all in regarding exploration. There is an exhaustive array of ways available at your disposal for taking ChromeOS from one level to the next, as we’ve shown you first-hand in this comprehensive guide. Make sure to implement all the outlined tips and hacks for the best results.

Our favorite trick is otherwise simple yet exceptionally effective. If you keep your Chromebook up to date, you’ll ensure that the device stays in its best possible version. Doing so forms the basis of all other hacks to come, so we cannot ignore this crucial step in any way whatsoever. Please let us know in the comments section what tip has become your go-to after reading the article.

As always, Chrome Ready wishes you good luck!

• Recommended read: How to maintain your Chromebook and extend its life.