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ChromeOS Keyboard

The ChromeOS keyboard was designed for efficiency by removing several of the lesser used buttons and focus on the buttons that are most commonly used by modern applications. The ChromeOS keyboard should be very familiar and easy to adjust to for most. The one thing that will stand out to most users is the traditional function keys (F1-F12) have been replaced with dedicated buttons to assist with the navigation of ChromeOS (1).

One other difference is that the Caps Lock key has been replaced with a search button. This button is also referred to as the "Everything Button" (2). When pressing the button, it will open the ChromeOS application launcher, but it serves as a quick way to access the Google Assistant and searching for files on your device or on the web.

If you need to use a traditional keyboard, ChromeOS does allow you to use any USB or Bluetooth keyboard as well. You can also remap on the ChromeOS keyboard via the ChromeOS settings application.

Keyboard Shortcuts

The simplified ChromeOS keyboard does remove some less commonly used functions which previously had a dedicated button; however, these functions are not lost but hidden behind a keyboard shortcut.

System and Window Management Shortcuts

ShortcutFunction
Ctrl + Shift + Q (twice)Sign out of your ChromeOS session
Ctrl + Shift + LLock your ChromeOS screen
Ctrl + Alt + ?Open the keyboard shortcut overview
Ctrl + Alt + / (forward slash)Show all keyboard shortcuts
Ctrl + Shift + RefreshRotate the screen 90 degrees
Ctrl + Alt + Back/Forward ArrowSwitch between previous and next ChromeOS workspace
Alt + TabSwitch between open windows
Ctrl + Alt + Up/Down ArrowMove between virtual desks
Search + Left/Right ArrowMove between virtual desks
Ctrl + Shift + 0Reset zoom level
Ctrl + Shift + +Zoom in
Ctrl + Shift + -Zoom out

Browser and Tab Management Shortcuts

ShortcutFunction
Ctrl + TOpen a new tab
Ctrl + WClose the current tab
Ctrl + Shift + TReopen the last closed tab
Ctrl + 1 through Ctrl + 8Switch to a specific tab (numbered from left to right)
Ctrl + 9Switch to the last tab
Ctrl + Shift + WClose the current window
Ctrl + Shift + NOpen a new Incognito window
Ctrl + LHighlight the address bar
Alt + Left ArrowGo back a page
Alt + Right ArrowGo forward a page
Ctrl + RReload the current page
Ctrl + Shift + RReload the current page (ignoring cache)

Text Editing Shortcuts

ShortcutFunction
Ctrl + CCopy
Ctrl + XCut
Ctrl + VPaste
Ctrl + Shift + VPaste without formatting
Ctrl + ASelect all
Ctrl + ZUndo
Ctrl + YRedo
Alt + BackspaceDelete (forward delete on ChromeOS)
Ctrl + BackspaceDelete previous word
Ctrl + Alt + Up/DownMove the cursor between multiple lines

Screenshot and Accessibility Shortcuts

ShortcutFunction
Ctrl + Show All WindowsTake a full-screen screenshot
Ctrl + Shift + Show All WindowsOpen the screenshot tool
Ctrl + Alt + ZEnable or disable ChromeVox (screen reader)
Ctrl + Search + Volume UpTurn on/off magnifier
Ctrl + Search + HEnable high contrast mode

Miscellaneous Shortcuts

ShortcutFunction
Search + EscOpen Task Manager
Search + LLock your screen
Ctrl + Shift + PPrint the current page
Shift + EscForce quit a tab
Ctrl + Shift + UView page source

Mastering these shortcuts will help you navigate ChromeOS efficiently and boost your productivity!