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.

How to Change Icon of a Library in Windows 11

In Windows 11, libraries provide a convenient way to organize and access your files. By default, libraries like Documents, Music, Pictures, and Videos have standard icons. However, you can customize the icon of any library to better suit your preferences. This guide will show you how to change the icon of a library in Windows 11.

Step 1: Open File Explorer and Access Libraries

1. Press Windows + E to open File Explorer.
2. In the left-hand navigation pane, scroll down and click on Libraries to expand the list of available libraries (Documents, Music, Pictures, Videos, etc.).
3. If you do not see the Libraries section, right-click on the left pane and select Show Libraries.

Step 2: Open Library Properties

1. Right-click on the library for which you want to change the icon (e.g., Documents, Music, etc.).
2. Select Properties from the context menu.

Step 3: Customize the Library Icon

1. In the Library Properties window, go to the Customize tab.
2. Under the "Folder icons" section, click on the Change Icon button.

Step 4: Choose a New Icon

1. A dialog box will appear displaying a list of available icons. You can either:
  - Choose an icon from the default list.
  - If you have a custom icon file (.ico), click on Browse to navigate to the folder where the .ico file is stored, and select the custom icon.
 
2. After selecting the icon, click OK.

Step 5: Apply the Changes

1. After selecting the new icon, click OK in the Library Properties window.
2. The new icon will now appear for the selected library in File Explorer.

Step 6: Revert to the Default Icon (Optional)

If you want to revert the library to its default icon:

1. Right-click on the library and select Properties.
2. Go to the Customize tab and click Change Icon.
3. In the icon selection dialog box, click the Restore Defaults button.
4. Click OK and then Apply to revert to the default icon.

Step 7: Refresh File Explorer (If Necessary)

In some cases, the new icon may not appear immediately. To fix this:

1. Close and reopen File Explorer.
2. If the icon still does not update, restart your PC, and the changes should take effect.

Conclusion

Changing the icon of a library in Windows 11 helps you personalize your file management experience. By following this guide, you can easily update library icons to your liking, whether you choose from the default set or use custom icons.

How to Change Theme in Windows 11

Changing the theme in Windows 11 allows you to personalize the appearance of your system, including wallpapers, accent colors, sounds, and cursor styles. This guide will walk you through the steps to change the theme in Windows 11 easily.

Step 1: Open the Settings App

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

Step 2: Access Themes Settings

1. In the Personalization section, click on Themes. This will take you to the Themes settings page where you can see the current theme and explore available options.
 
Step 3: Select a Theme

1. Under the Current theme section, you will see a preview of the active theme.
2. Scroll down to the Change theme section to browse the list of pre-installed themes.
3. Click on any theme to apply it instantly. Windows 11 will automatically change the wallpaper, colors, sounds, and other visual elements based on the selected theme.

Quote:Note: You can also download new themes from the Microsoft Store by clicking on the Browse themes option.