How to Use Your Chromebook's Task Manager

The Task Manager on a Chromebook allows you to view and manage running processes, check system resource usage, and force-stop unresponsive apps. It's a useful tool for optimizing your Chromebook’s performance and troubleshooting issues. This guide will show you how to open and use the Task Manager on your Chromebook.

Step 1: Open the Task Manager

There are several ways to open the Task Manager on a Chromebook:

Method 1: Using the Keyboard Shortcut

1. Press Search + Esc on your keyboard.
2. The Task Manager window will open, showing all running processes.

Method 2: Using Chrome Menu

1. Open the Chrome browser.
2. Click the three-dot menu icon in the top-right corner.
3. Go to More tools and select Task manager.
4. The Task Manager will open.

Step 2: Understand the Task Manager Layout

The Task Manager on your Chromebook displays a list of processes that are currently running, along with important information about them:

- Task: The name of the running application or process.
- Memory footprint: The amount of memory (RAM) being used by the process.
- CPU: The percentage of CPU (processor) power the task is using.
- Network: The amount of network bandwidth the process is using.
- Process ID (PID): The unique identifier for each process.

You can click on any of the column headers (such as CPU, Memory footprint, or Network) to sort the tasks based on the specific resource usage.

Step 3: End Unresponsive or Resource-Heavy Processes

If you notice that an app is using too many resources or has become unresponsive, you can force it to close using the Task Manager.

Step 3.1: Identify the Process

1. In the Task Manager window, scroll through the list of running processes to find the one you want to end.
2. You can check the CPU or Memory footprint columns to identify processes that are using too many resources.

Step 3.2: End the Process

1. Click on the task you want to stop.
2. Once the process is selected, click the End process button at the bottom-right corner of the Task Manager window.
3. The selected process will be immediately terminated.

Step 4: Monitor System Resource Usage

The Chromebook Task Manager is also useful for monitoring system resources like CPU and memory usage. This can help you identify apps that are consuming excessive resources and optimize your system performance.

1. Keep an eye on the CPU and Memory footprint columns to monitor how much of your system’s resources are being used by each process.
2. If an app is consistently using a large amount of CPU or memory, consider closing it or restarting the app to improve performance.

Step 5: Additional Options in Task Manager

You can view more information about running processes by right-clicking (or tapping with two fingers) on any column header. This will bring up additional metrics you can enable, such as:

- GPU memory: Shows how much memory is being used by the graphics processing unit (GPU).
- Shared memory: Displays memory shared between different processes.
- Handles: Displays the number of handles (resources such as files and registry keys) opened by each process.

Check the boxes next to these additional options to include them in the Task Manager display.

Step 6: Close Task Manager

Once you have finished using the Task Manager:

1. Click the X button in the top-right corner of the Task Manager window to close it.
2. Alternatively, press Search + Esc again to close the Task Manager.

Conclusion

The Task Manager on your Chromebook is a powerful tool for monitoring and managing system processes. Whether you're troubleshooting unresponsive apps or checking resource usage, the Task Manager provides you with the information and control you need to optimize your device’s performance. By following this guide, you can effectively use the Task Manager to improve your Chromebook's efficiency.

How to Use Virtual Desktops on a Chromebook

Virtual desktops (also known as "Desks") on Chromebooks allow you to organize your workspace by creating multiple desktops, each with its own set of open apps and windows. This feature helps you stay organized and improve productivity by separating tasks across different desktops. Here’s how to use virtual desktops on a Chromebook.

Step 1: Access Overview Mode

Step 1.1: Open Overview Mode

1. Press Overview key (the key that looks like a rectangle with two lines) on your Chromebook’s keyboard, or swipe up with three fingers on the touchpad.
2. This will bring up Overview Mode, showing all your open windows and any virtual desktops.

Step 1.2: Add a New Virtual Desktop

1. At the top of the Overview screen, you will see a row of virtual desktops (called "Desks").
2. Click on the + New desk button to create a new virtual desktop.
3. You can create up to 8 virtual desktops.

Step 2: Switch Between Virtual Desktops

Step 2.1: Switch Using Overview Mode

1. Press the Overview key or swipe up with three fingers to enter Overview Mode.
2. At the top, click on the virtual desktop (desk) you want to switch to.

Step 2.2: Switch Using Keyboard Shortcuts

1. You can quickly switch between virtual desktops without entering Overview Mode by using the following keyboard shortcuts:
  - Press Search + ] (right bracket) to move to the next virtual desktop.
  - Press Search + [ (left bracket) to move to the previous virtual desktop.

Step 2.3: Switch Using Touchpad Gestures

1. Swipe left or right with four fingers on your touchpad to move between virtual desktops.

Step 3: Move Windows Between Virtual Desktops

Step 3.1: Move Windows Using Overview Mode

1. Press the Overview key or swipe up with three fingers to enter Overview Mode.
2. Drag a window from one desktop and drop it onto another virtual desktop at the top of the screen.
3. You can also right-click on a window in Overview Mode and select Move window to desk X to move it to a specific virtual desktop.

Step 3.2: Open a New Window in a Specific Virtual Desktop

1. Open a virtual desktop by switching to it (using Overview Mode or the keyboard shortcuts).
2. Open any app or window while on that virtual desktop, and it will be confined to that specific desktop.

Step 4: Rename Virtual Desktops

1. Enter Overview Mode by pressing the Overview key or swiping up with three fingers.
2. Click on the name of the virtual desktop at the top of the screen (by default, it will be named "Desk 1", "Desk 2", etc.).
3. Type a new name for the virtual desktop, such as "Work", "School", or "Personal", and press Enter.

Step 5: Close a Virtual Desktop

1. Open Overview Mode by pressing the Overview key or swiping up with three fingers.
2. Click the X button on any virtual desktop at the top of the screen to close it.
3. All open windows on that virtual desktop will automatically move to the next available desktop.

Step 6: Use Virtual Desktops for Productivity

- Organize Tasks: You can use different virtual desktops to separate tasks, such as one for work, one for personal browsing, and another for entertainment.
- Minimize Clutter: Keep apps and windows neatly organized by dedicating specific desktops to particular tasks.
- Switch Workspaces Quickly: Use the keyboard shortcuts or gestures to move between different desktops without losing focus.

Conclusion

Using virtual desktops on a Chromebook is a great way to boost productivity by organizing your apps and windows across multiple workspaces. By following this guide, you can easily create, switch between, and manage virtual desktops, helping you stay focused and efficient.

How to Rearrange Apps on the Shelf and Launcher on Your Chromebook

Chromebooks make it easy to customize your workspace by allowing you to rearrange the apps on your shelf and launcher. The shelf is the bar at the bottom of your screen that shows pinned apps, while the launcher is the app drawer that shows all your installed apps. This guide will show you how to rearrange apps on both the shelf and the launcher.

Step 1: Rearrange Apps on the Shelf

The shelf on your Chromebook acts like a taskbar, and you can pin apps to it for easy access. You can also rearrange the apps based on your preferences.

Step 1.1: Pin Apps to the Shelf

1. Click the Launcher button in the bottom-left corner of your screen to open the app drawer.
2. Find the app you want to pin to the shelf.
3. Right-click (or tap with two fingers on a touchpad) on the app icon.
4. Select Pin to shelf.

Step 1.2: Rearrange Apps on the Shelf

1. Once an app is pinned to the shelf, you can easily rearrange its position.
2. Click and hold the app icon you want to move.
3. Drag the app icon to the desired location on the shelf and release it.
4. Repeat this process for any other apps you want to rearrange.

Step 1.3: Unpin Apps from the Shelf

1. If you want to remove an app from the shelf, right-click (or tap with two fingers) on the app icon.
2. Select Unpin to remove the app from the shelf.

Step 2: Rearrange Apps in the Launcher

The launcher is where all your installed apps are located, and you can rearrange them in any order to suit your workflow.

Step 2.1: Open the Launcher

1. Click on the Launcher button in the bottom-left corner of the screen, or press the Search key on your keyboard.
2. The launcher will pop up, showing a grid of your installed apps.

Step 2.2: Rearrange Apps in the Launcher

1. Click and hold the app icon you want to move.
2. Drag the app icon to the desired position in the launcher grid and release it.
3. You can move apps between pages if you have more than one page of apps.
4. To create a new page in the launcher, drag the app icon to the far right of the screen, and a new page will appear.

Step 2.3: Group Apps into Folders

You can also group apps into folders in the launcher for better organization:

1. Click and hold an app icon in the launcher.
2. Drag the app icon on top of another app to create a folder.
3. You can rename the folder by clicking on the folder name and typing a new one.
4. To add more apps to the folder, drag additional app icons into the folder.

Step 3: Search for Apps in the Launcher

If you have many apps installed, it can be quicker to search for an app rather than scrolling through the launcher.

1. Click the Launcher button or press the Search key to open the launcher.
2. Type the name of the app in the search bar at the top of the launcher.
3. Click on the app icon in the search results to open it directly.

Conclusion

Rearranging apps on the shelf and launcher of your Chromebook helps you personalize your workspace and improve productivity. By following this guide, you can easily pin, move, and organize your apps for faster access to your most-used programs.

How to Install and Use Firefox on a Chromebook

Although Chromebooks are designed to work with Google Chrome as the default web browser, you can install and use Mozilla Firefox if you prefer it. Firefox is available through the Google Play Store and can also be installed using Linux on Chromebook. This guide will walk you through both methods to install and use Firefox on your Chromebook.

Method 1: Install Firefox from Google Play Store

Step 1: Enable Google Play Store on Your Chromebook

1. Click the clock in the bottom-right corner of your screen to open the system menu.
2. Select the Settings gear icon.
3. In the Settings menu, scroll down and find Google Play Store, then click Turn on.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to agree to the terms of service and set up Google Play Store.

Step 2: Install Firefox from the Google Play Store

1. Once Google Play Store is enabled, open the Play Store from your app launcher.
2. In the Play Store search bar, type Firefox and press Enter.
3. Find the official Firefox app by Mozilla and click Install.
4. After installation, click Open to launch Firefox.

Step 3: Use Firefox on Your Chromebook

1. After opening Firefox, sign in with your Firefox account if you have one, or set it up as a new browser.
2. You can now browse the web using Firefox as your default browser or use it alongside Chrome.

Method 2: Install Firefox via Linux (Advanced Users)

If you want to install the full desktop version of Firefox, you can do so by enabling Linux on your Chromebook and installing Firefox through Linux.

Step 1: Enable Linux (Beta) on Your Chromebook

1. Click the clock in the bottom-right corner of your screen to open the system menu.
2. Select the Settings gear icon.
3. Scroll down to the Linux (Beta) section and click Turn on.
4. Follow the on-screen prompts to set up Linux, and choose the amount of storage you want to allocate for Linux (you can adjust this later if needed).

Step 2: Install Firefox Using Linux Terminal

1. After enabling Linux, open the Linux Terminal from your app launcher.
2. In the Terminal window, type the following command to update your Linux environment:

 

Quote:Note: ChromeOS is optimized to use Google Chrome as the default browser, so Firefox may not fully replace Chrome in every system function.

How to Add "Take Ownership" to Context Menu in Windows 11

Adding the "Take Ownership" option to the context menu in Windows 11 allows you to quickly gain full access to files or folders that may be restricted or locked by system permissions. This guide will show you how to add this useful feature by editing the Windows Registry.

Step 1: Open Notepad to Create a Registry Script

1. Press Windows + S to open the search bar and type Notepad, then press Enter.
2. In Notepad, paste the following code:

 

How to Add an App to Run Automatically at Startup in Windows 11

Windows 11 allows you to configure certain apps to run automatically when you start your PC, which can be useful for programs you frequently use. This guide will show you how to add an app to run at startup using several methods.

Method 1: Add App to Startup via Settings

Step 1: Open Settings

1. Press Windows + I to open the Settings app.
2. In the left-hand sidebar, click on Apps.

Step 2: Go to Startup Settings

1. In the Apps section, select Startup.
2. You will see a list of installed apps that can run on startup.

Step 3: Enable App for Startup

1. Find the app you want to run automatically at startup from the list.
2. Toggle the switch next to the app to On to enable it for startup.

Method 2: Add App to Startup Folder

The Startup folder in Windows 11 allows you to manually add apps that will run when you start your PC.

Step 1: Open the Startup Folder

1. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type shelltartup and press Enter.
3. This will open the Startup folder in File Explorer.

Step 2: Add the App to the Startup Folder

1. Find the shortcut of the app you want to run on startup.
  - If the app does not have a shortcut on the desktop, right-click the app in the Start menu, select More, then Open file location. Copy the shortcut from here.
2. Copy and paste the app's shortcut into the Startup folder.
3. The app will now run automatically the next time you start your PC.

Method 3: Add App via Task Manager

You can also use Task Manager to enable apps to run at startup.

Step 1: Open Task Manager

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager, or right-click the taskbar and select Task Manager.
2. If Task Manager opens in simplified mode, click More details at the bottom of the window to expand it.

Step 2: Enable App for Startup

1. Go to the Startup tab in Task Manager.
2. Find the app you want to enable for startup.
3. Right-click on the app and select Enable.
4. The app will now run automatically at startup.

Method 4: Add App via Registry (Advanced Users)

For more control over startup apps, you can add them via the Windows Registry.

Step 1: Open the Registry Editor

1. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog.
2. Type regedit and press Enter.
3. If prompted by User Account Control (UAC), click Yes.

Step 2: Navigate to the Startup Key

1. In the Registry Editor, navigate to the following path:

 

How to Close All Open Apps at Once in Windows 11

Sometimes, you may want to quickly close all open apps in Windows 11 to free up system resources or prepare your computer for shutdown. While Windows doesn’t provide a direct "close all" button, there are several methods you can use to close multiple apps at once. This guide will walk you through various ways to accomplish this.

Method 1: Using Task Manager

Step 1: Open Task Manager

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager, or right-click the taskbar and select Task Manager.
2. If Task Manager opens in the simplified mode, click on More details at the bottom of the window to expand it.

Step 2: Close All Apps

1. In the Processes tab, you will see a list of all running apps and background processes.
2. Scroll through the list and locate the apps you want to close under the Apps section.
3. Press Ctrl on your keyboard and click on each app to select multiple apps at once.
4. Once you've selected all the apps, click on End task at the bottom-right corner to close them simultaneously.

Method 2: Create a Batch File to Close All Apps

You can create a batch file to close multiple apps at once by automating the task.

Step 1: Open Notepad

1. Press Windows + S to open the search bar, then type Notepad and press Enter to open it.

Step 2: Write the Batch Script

1. In Notepad, type the following script:

 

How to Download and Install Microsoft PC Manager App in Windows 11 and Windows 10

Microsoft PC Manager is a utility tool that helps optimize system performance, clean up junk files, manage startup apps, and improve security on your Windows 10 and Windows 11 PC. This guide will walk you through the steps to download and install the Microsoft PC Manager app on your system.

Step 1: Download Microsoft PC Manager

1. Open your web browser and navigate to the official download page for Microsoft PC Manager:

  https://pcmanager.microsoft.com/

2. Once the website loads, click on the Free Download button to download the installer file.

Quote:Note: Ensure that you're downloading the tool from the official Microsoft website to avoid any unofficial or malicious versions.

How to Choose Default Apps in Windows 11

In Windows 11, you can choose which applications open certain file types by setting default apps. For example, you can choose your preferred web browser, media player, or photo viewer as the default app. This guide will show you how to set or change default apps for specific file types and protocols in Windows 11.

Step 1: Open the Settings App

1. Press Windows + I to open the Settings app.
2. In the left-hand sidebar, click on Apps.

Step 2: Access the Default Apps Settings

1. In the Apps section, click on Default apps.
2. You will now see a list of installed apps, file types, and protocols.

Step 3: Set Default Apps by File Type or Protocol

Option 1: Set Default Apps by File Type

1. In the Default apps window, scroll through the list of file types or use the search bar at the top to find the file extension you want to associate with a new default app (for example, `.pdf` for PDF files or `.jpg` for image files).
2. Click on the file extension, and a list of available apps will appear.
3. Select the app you want to set as the default for that file type.

Option 2: Set Default Apps by Protocol

1. Scroll down in the Default apps window to find the list of protocols (such as HTTP or MAILTO).
2. Click on a protocol, and choose the app you want to set as the default for that protocol (e.g., set your default email app for the `mailto` protocol).

Step 4: Set Default Apps by App Name

1. If you want to change the default file associations for a specific app (e.g., changing all web links to open in a different browser), use the search bar under Set defaults for applications to find the app.
2. Click on the app name, and you’ll see a list of file types and protocols associated with it.
3. Click on a file type or protocol and select a new default app from the list.

Step 5: Reset Default Apps to Microsoft Recommended Defaults (Optional)

If you want to revert all your file type and protocol associations to the Microsoft recommended defaults, follow these steps:

1. Scroll down in the Default apps window and click on Reset under the section titled Reset all default apps.
2. This will reset all file types and protocols to their original default apps, such as Microsoft Edge for web browsing.

Step 6: Change the Default App from the Context Menu (Optional)

You can also change the default app for a specific file type directly from File Explorer:

1. Right-click on a file (e.g., a `.txt` or `.mp4` file) and select Open with > Choose another app.
2. In the pop-up window, select the app you want to use.
3. Check the box that says Always use this app to open .xxx files to make it the default app.
4. Click OK.

Step 7: Manage Optional Features (Optional)

Some apps may not appear in the list of default apps. In this case, you may need to install additional features:

1. Go back to the Apps section in Settings.
2. Click on Optional features, and you can add missing features that may enable more app options for certain file types.

Conclusion

Choosing default apps in Windows 11 is an essential part of personalizing your experience and ensuring your preferred applications handle the files and tasks you work with. By following this guide, you can easily set, change, or reset default apps for various file types and protocols.

How to Open and Use the Old Notepad App in Windows 11

Windows 11 includes a revamped version of the Notepad app with new features. However, some users may prefer the classic version of Notepad for its simplicity and speed. This guide will show you how to open and use the old Notepad app in Windows 11.

Step 1: Access the Old Notepad via Optional Features

1. Press Windows + I to open the Settings app.
2. In the left-hand sidebar, click on Apps.
3. Scroll down and select Optional features.

Step 2: Install the Old Notepad (if needed)

1. In the Optional Features window, scroll down to the Installed features section and search for Notepad.
2. If Notepad is not installed, click Add a feature at the top of the window.
3. In the search bar, type Notepad and select it from the list.
4. Click Install to add the old version of Notepad to your system.

Step 3: Open Old Notepad Using the Run Dialog

If the modern Notepad app is installed but you want to access the old version, follow these steps:

1. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog.
2. Type notepad.exe and press Enter.
3. The old Notepad app will open, ready for you to use.

Step 4: Pin the Old Notepad to Start or Taskbar (Optional)

If you frequently use the old Notepad and want quick access, you can pin it to the Start menu or taskbar:

1. Right-click on the notepad.exe application when it's open.
2. Select Pin to Start or Pin to taskbar for easy access.

Step 5: Use the Old Notepad for Basic Tasks

1. The old Notepad app retains all of its classic features, including basic text editing, word wrapping, and Find/Replace functionality.
2. You can open or save files in text format (.txt) by going to File > Open or File > Save As.
3. To use basic editing tools, go to the Edit menu for options like Cut, Copy, Paste, and Undo.

Step 6: Set Old Notepad as the Default App for Text Files (Optional)

If you want to use the old Notepad app as the default application for opening text files:

1. Right-click on any `.txt` file and select Open with > Choose another app.
2. In the list of apps, select Notepad (the old version).
3. Check the box that says Always use this app to open .txt files.
4. Click OK.

Step 7: Use Old Notepad via Compatibility Mode (Optional)

If you experience issues with the old Notepad version, you can try running it in compatibility mode:

1. Right-click on the Notepad.exe file in C:\Windows\System32.
2. Select Properties and go to the Compatibility tab.
3. Check the box labeled Run this program in compatibility mode for.
4. Choose Windows 7 or Windows 8 from the dropdown list.
5. Click Apply and then OK.

Conclusion

Although Windows 11 comes with a modernized version of Notepad, accessing and using the old Notepad app is still possible for those who prefer its classic simplicity. By following the steps in this guide, you can continue using the old Notepad and even set it as the default app for your text files.