How to Use the ”Show Windows” Button on Your Chromebook
You can do all kinds of cool tricks
The “Show Windows” key has a rectangle and two vertical lines to the right. The key is on the top row of yourChromebook’s keyboard, between the full-screen and brightness reduction keys.
It doubles as the F5 or Refresh key and is sometimes called the Windows Switcher, Overview, or Launcher key. This tutorial covers everything you can do with the Show Windows key on your Chromebook.
What Does the Show Windows Button Do?
The primary purpose of the “Show Windows” key is to provide a bird’s-eye view of all open applications or windows on your Chromebook.
When you press theShow Windowsbutton, ChromeOS displays a thumbnail view of active applications or windows. Press theShow Windows keyagain to close the overview screen.
From the overview screen, you can:
The Show Windows key performs the same function as the Mission Control key on Apple keyboards and MacBook Touch Bars. TheTask View iconis the Windows equivalent of the Show Windows key.
Alternative Ways to Show All Windows on Chromebooks
Pressing the Show Windows key is the quickest way to view all open applications. However, you can also open the overview screen by swiping your Chromebook’s touchpad or touchscreen.
Place three fingers on your touchpad and swipe up in a single motion. Chrome OS will display all open Windows on your screen. Swipe down three fingers on the touchpad to close the overview screen.
On touchscreen-enabled Chromebooks, swipe up from the bottom of the screen and hold in the middle of the screen.
Capture Screenshots Using the Show Windows Key
You need the Show Windows key tocapture full screenshotsand launch the screen capture tool using your keyboard.
Press theCtrl+Show Windowskeys to capture a full screenshot.
PressShift+Ctrl+Show Windowskey to open the screen capture tool.
You can capture partial screenshots, window screenshots, and record your screen from the screen capture tool. Refer to thisChromebook Help Center webpageto learn about the screen capture tool.
Show Windows Key Not Working? Try These Tricks
TheShow Windows key won’t workif ChromeOS treats the top row as function keys. To get the key working again, you can either disable the function keys or alternate the behavior of the top-row keys.
Go toSettings>Device>Keyboardand toggle offTreat top-row keys as function keys.
Your Chromebook should now display the overview screen when you press the Show Windows key.
Holding the Search key switches the behavior of the top-row keys. That allows you to use theunique keys on your Chromebook keyboardwithout disabling the function keys.
With the top-row acting as function keys, hold theSearch keyand press theShow Windows keyto open the overview screen.
Hold theSearch keyand pressCtrl+Show Windowsto take a full screenshot.
To open the screen capture tool, hold theSearch keyand pressCtrl+Shift+Show Windows.
Pro Tip:PressCtrl+Alt+/(forward slash) to see all Chromebook keyboard shortcuts.
Reboot your Chromebook or update its operating system (Settings>About ChromeOS) if the Show Windows key still doesn’t work. Contact your device manufacturer orpowerwash (factory reset) your Chromebookas a last resort.
Do More With Show Windows
That’s all there is to know about the Show Windows key on your Chromebook. Get the hang of the Show Windows key, and you’re one step closer tobecoming a power Chromebook user.
Sodiq has written thousands of tutorials, guides, and explainers over the past 4 years to help people solve problems with Android, iOS, Mac, and Windows devices. He also enjoys reviewing consumer tech products (smartphones, smart home devices, accessories, etc.) and binge-watching comedy series in his spare time.Read Sodiq’s Full Bio
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