Chromebooks are simple by design, but ChromeOS hides a powerful set of keyboard shortcuts behind the Search key and a few key combinations — window docking, the overview screen, screenshots and shelf launching all work without the touchpad. This complete list of Chromebook (ChromeOS) keyboard shortcut keys explains the system, window, screenshot and browser shortcuts in plain words, so you can fly through ChromeOS like a pro.
System and Launcher Shortcuts
| Shortcut Key | Function |
|---|---|
| Search (or Launcher key) | Open the Launcher — search apps, files and the web |
| Search + L | Lock your Chromebook screen |
| Ctrl + Shift + L | Lock the screen (on external keyboards) |
| Ctrl + Shift + Q (press twice) | Sign out of your Google Account |
| Alt + Search | Turn Caps Lock on or off |
| Search + Esc | Open the Task Manager |
| Shift + Esc | Open the Task Manager (alternative) |
| Ctrl + Alt + / | Open the on-screen Keyboard Viewer — see all shortcuts on the Chromebook itself |
Windows and Overview Shortcuts
| Shortcut Key | Function |
|---|---|
| Show Windows key (F5 position) | Open Overview — see all open windows and desks |
| Alt + Tab | Switch to the most recent window |
| Alt + Shift + Tab | Switch windows in reverse order |
| Alt + [ | Dock the window to the left half of the screen |
| Alt + ] | Dock the window to the right half of the screen |
| Alt + - (minus) | Minimize the window |
| Alt + = | Maximize or restore the window |
| Alt + 1 to Alt + 8 | Launch the app pinned at that position on the shelf |
| Alt + 9 | Open the last app on the shelf |
| Shift + Search + Left / Right Arrow | Move the window to the previous / next desk (virtual desk) |
| Search + [ / ] | Switch between desks |
| Ctrl + Shift + W | Close the current browser window |
Screenshot Shortcuts
| Shortcut Key | Function |
|---|---|
| Ctrl + Show Windows | Capture the full screen |
| Ctrl + Shift + Show Windows | Capture a partial screenshot (drag to select the area) |
| Ctrl + Alt + Show Windows | Capture a single window |
| On external keyboards: Ctrl + F5 | Full screenshot (F5 works as the Show Windows key) |
| On external keyboards: Ctrl + Shift + F5 | Partial screenshot |
Browser (Chrome) Shortcuts on ChromeOS
| Shortcut Key | Function |
|---|---|
| Ctrl + T | New tab |
| Ctrl + Shift + T | Reopen the last closed tab |
| Ctrl + N | New window |
| Ctrl + Shift + N | New Incognito window |
| Ctrl + L or Alt + D | Jump to the address bar (Omnibox) |
| Ctrl + D | Bookmark the current page |
| Ctrl + Shift + B | Show or hide the bookmarks bar |
| Ctrl + H | Open History |
| Ctrl + J | Open Downloads |
| Ctrl + P | Print the page |
| Ctrl + S | Save the page |
| Ctrl + F | Find text on the page |
| Ctrl + Tab / Ctrl + Shift + Tab | Next / previous tab |
| Ctrl + 1 to Ctrl + 8 | Jump to the tab at that position |
| Ctrl + 9 | Jump to the last tab |
| Ctrl + Shift + Delete | Open the Clear browsing data dialog |
Files App and Text Shortcuts
| Shortcut Key | Function |
|---|---|
| Alt + Shift + M | Open the Files app |
| Ctrl + Enter (after selecting a file) | Rename the selected file in Files |
| Space (on a selected file) | Preview the file |
| Ctrl + A | Select all text or items |
| Ctrl + X / C / V | Cut / copy / paste |
| Ctrl + Z / Ctrl + Shift + Z | Undo / redo |
| Ctrl + Backspace | Delete the word to the left |
| Ctrl + Left / Right Arrow | Move the cursor one word at a time |
| Ctrl + Alt + Up / Down Arrow | Page up / page down |
| Search + Left / Right Arrow | Home / End (start or end of line) |
Accessibility Shortcuts
| Shortcut Key | Function |
|---|---|
| Ctrl + Alt + Z | Turn ChromeVox (screen reader) on or off |
| Search + Ctrl + M | Open the full-screen magnifier controls |
| Ctrl + Search + D | Turn the docked magnifier on or off |
Tips for Chromebook Users
The single best shortcut on ChromeOS is Ctrl + Alt + / — it opens Google's own visual shortcut viewer right on your Chromebook, organized by category, so you never need to memorize a list blindly. Second, learn the window docking pair Alt + [ and Alt + ] plus desks (Search + [ / ]) — Chromebooks shine when two apps sit side by side on separate desks. Finally, remember Alt + 1–8: pinning your daily apps to the shelf in a fixed order turns launching them into muscle memory.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Caps Lock key on a Chromebook?
Chromebooks replace Caps Lock with the Search/Launcher key. Press Alt + Search to toggle Caps Lock, or remap the Search key to Caps Lock in Settings → Device → Keyboard.
How do I take a screenshot on a Chromebook?
Press Ctrl + Show Windows for a full screenshot, or Ctrl + Shift + Show Windows to capture a selected area. Screenshots are saved in the Downloads folder and copied to the clipboard.
How do I see all keyboard shortcuts on the Chromebook itself?
Press Ctrl + Alt + / to open the built-in Keyboard Viewer, which shows every ChromeOS shortcut in a searchable, visual layout.
What is the "Show Windows" key?
It is the key in the top row (where F5 sits on a normal keyboard) showing a rectangle with lines beside it. It opens the Overview of all windows and desks, and combines with Ctrl for screenshots.
By Umar Farooq, Tech Know.
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