You may think you know everything there is to know about Google Chrome, but what if we told you that there are at least ten things that you never even thought of that you can do with the browser? You’re about to learn all of them, so keep reading and make sure to check out the list at the end too—you’re sure to be surprised by what some people have done with Google Chrome! 10 things you didn’t know you could do with Google Chrome
1) Create a custom app launcher
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Just like apps, web apps can be launched from your taskbar or desktop. If there’s an app that you want to launch quickly, just right-click its icon and select Create shortcuts here. Voilà! A shortcut on your taskbar or desktop that launches it in a snap.
2) Use it as an extension for PC apps like Photoshop or Open Office
While most people know that they can use Google Chrome as a browser to access internet-based software like Gmail, or other web apps like Facebook, many don’t realize that they can also install extensions that let them use these programs offline. If your laptop is constantly crashing and you find yourself needing to work off a USB stick, consider installing extensions for your PC’s most vital programs.
3) Create your own keyboard shortcuts
If you’re an avid internet user, chances are you spend a lot of time on your computer. With shortcuts, you can give your fingers a break and keep control at your fingertips. For example, instead of hitting Control + T to open up a new tab in Google Chrome (or clicking on that little icon), you can just type Ctrl+T—much easier! Here are some other handy shortcuts: You don’t need to memorize all these keyboard shortcuts—just write them down somewhere for reference when you want to take it easy on yourself. You may find that it saves you precious seconds throughout your day. Who knows?
4) Show your desktop on another screen
The $35 Chromecast is one of those hidden treasures that can transform your TV experience. Not only does it allow you to stream from Netflix or YouTube, but it can also display your computer’s desktop in full screen on any TV. That means when friends and family come over, they can use their phone as a remote control to kick back and watch a movie while they chat with others around them.
5) Password protect any site
If you’re sharing a computer and don’t want your partner to have access to certain sites, here’s an easy way to keep them out. In a new tab, type in chrome://flags/#password-reveal-button, then click Enable. Return to that tab and enter your password, then go back into Settings > Show advanced settings > Passwords. From there, choose Manage next to Password manager and check Offer to save your web passwords.
6) Take quick notes from any tab
Need to write down a quick note from your favorite news site? Just hit Control-Shift-M on PC or Command-Shift-M on Mac to pull up a sticky notepad that stays in place as you surf. Type away and when you’re done, click OK to dismiss. (Source)
7) Save text from images as notes
Want to save an image for later but don’t want to take up extra hard drive space? The solution is simple: just select text on a webpage and then choose Copy to clipboard from your browser’s context menu. Open any program that can handle plain text (notepad, WordPad) and paste your image into it. It will show up as a graphic but can now be edited as plain text.
8) Change the appearance of tabs
The tabs in your browser are a lot more than just a way to switch between web pages—you can actually change their appearance, too. The Page Title Only style is one of my favorites. Try it out and see if you like it: right-click on a tab and choose Page Title Only from the context menu. Pretty cool, huh?
9) Use as a password manager
One of Chrome’s least-known features is its ability to manage passwords. To use it, click on Settings and then Show advanced settings at the bottom of your screen. In that window, scroll down to Passwords and forms and make sure that Offer to save passwords is checked. From now on, whenever you log in somewhere online or fill out a form in a website or app (including mobile apps), Chrome will offer to save your password so you don’t have to type it over and over again.
10) Connect your iPhone to any computer with Chrome Remote Desktop
To get started, open up Chrome on your computer and select remotedesktop from within your bookmarks. You’ll have to set it up by entering in a 6-digit PIN on both machines (don’t worry, it’s quick), but after that, all of your synced tabs and other data will be available for viewing on any machine you sign into.