The “Show Windows” key has a rectangle and two vertical lines to the right. The key is on the top row of your Chromebook’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.

Table of Contents
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    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 the Show Windows button, ChromeOS displays a thumbnail view of active applications or windows. Press the Show Windows key again to close the overview screen.

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    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. The Task View icon is the Windows equivalent of the Show Windows key.

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    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.

    Use Your Chromebook’s Touchpad

    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.

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    Use Touchscreen Gestures

    On touchscreen-enabled Chromebooks, swipe up from the bottom of the screen and hold in the middle of the screen.

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    Capture Screenshots Using the Show Windows Key

    You need the Show Windows key to capture full screenshots and launch the screen capture tool using your keyboard.

    Press the Ctrl + Show Windows keys to capture a full screenshot.

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    Press Shift + Ctrl + Show Windows key to open the screen capture tool.

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    You can capture partial screenshots, window screenshots, and record your screen from the screen capture tool. Refer to this Chromebook Help Center webpage to learn about the screen capture tool.

    Show Windows Key Not Working? Try These Tricks

    The Show Windows key won’t work if 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.

    Disable Function Keys on Your Chromebook

    Go to Settings > Device > Keyboard and toggle off Treat top-row keys as function keys.

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    Your Chromebook should now display the overview screen when you press the Show Windows key.

    Alternate Your Chromebook’s Top-Row Keys

    Holding the Search key switches the behavior of the top-row keys. That allows you to use the unique keys on your Chromebook keyboard without disabling the function keys.

    With the top-row acting as function keys, hold the Search key and press the Show Windows key to open the overview screen.

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    Hold the Search key and press Ctrl + Show Windows to take a full screenshot.

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    To open the screen capture tool, hold the Search key and press Ctrl + Shift + Show Windows.

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    Pro Tip: Press Ctrl + 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 or powerwash (factory reset) your Chromebook as 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 to becoming a power Chromebook user.