Chromebooks are a unique series of laptops which run off the Chrome OS rather than Windows or Mac. The latest Chromebooks can also run Android apps. Chromebooks have become increasingly popular in educational settings, due to their simplicity, low cost and ease of upkeep.
This page will guide you through how to get started with a Chromebook, whether you are new to computers in general or an experienced Windows or Mac user who is adjusting to the differences between Chrome OS and other operating systems.
Ctrl + Alt + ? (or Ctrl + Alt + / ) – Load Shortcut List
Ctrl + Shift + L – Lock your Chromebook’s screen.
Ctrl + Shift + Q – Log out of your Chromebook. Press the key combination twice to quit.
Alt + E – Open the Chrome browser’s menu. This only works if a Chrome browser window is open and focused.
Ctrl + T – opens a new tab
Ctrl + Shift + T – opens last closed tab
Ctrl + W – closes current tab
Alt + 1-8 – Launch applications located on Chrome OS’s “shelf,” or taskbar. For example, Alt + 1 will launch the first application shortcut from the left.
Alt + [ – Dock a window to the left side of your screen.
Alt + ] – Dock a window to the right side of your screen.
Alt + - – Minimize current window/tab.
Ctrl + Switcher/F5 – Take a screenshot and save it to your Downloads folder The Switcher key is located in place of the F5 key on a standard keyboard.
Ctrl + Shift + Switcher/F5 – Take a screenshot of part of the screen. Use the cursor to select the part of the screen you want to save.
Alt + Search – Toggle Caps Lock. The Search key has a magnifying glass on it and is in place of the Caps Lock key on typical keyboards.
Shift + Esc – Launch the Task Manager.
Ctrl + Shift and + – Zoom in and Increase screen scale, making items appear larger on your screen.
Ctrl + Shift and - – Zoom out and Decrease screen scale, making items appear smaller on your screen.
Ctrl + 0 – Restore screen scale to default size.
Ctrl + Shift + Refresh/F3 – Rotate your screen 90 degrees. The Refresh key is located where the F3 key would be located on typical keyboards.
Ctrl + Immersive Mode/F4 – Configure display settings when an external monitor is connected. The Immersive Mode key is located where the F4 key would be located on typical keyboards.
TCC's Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) allows you to log on to a Windows 10 virtual desktop from anywhere you have internet access.This allows you to access software programs that can't be installed on a Chromebook, such as Microsoft Office, Outlook and NetLab. While some apps can replicate some of this software, it is strongly recommended that TCC students utilize the VDI rather than take a chance on untested apps. The VDI has been tried and tested by TCC Faculty and Staff members and confirmed to work.
Logging In To VDI
Visit http://cloud.tccd.edu/ to log in with your myTCC email and password.
Remember: Closing the Chrome browser will automatically log you out of VDI and cause you to lose any unsaved work.
Make sure you log off when you're finished with your session.
Saving Your Work In VDI
You'll use Microsoft OneDrive to save your work while you're on a VDI workspace. Microsoft OneDrive allows you to access your documents anywhere, anytime, from any device.
Inactive VDI sessions will automatically be disconnected after 10 minutes. Any unsaved work will be lost after 15 minutes of inactivity.
Download the TCC VDI Reference Guide (PDF)Listen for instructions on how to save your work to your OneDrive, as well as tips and tricks for navigating and troubleshooting VDI.
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