From Windows to Chromebook — how to make the transition easy for parents

Acer Chromebook Spin 713 (Image credit: Laptop Mag)

Setting up a Chromebook for parents who are used to MacBooks or Windows PCs may seem daunting, but information technology'south simpler than you think. Google's operating system, Chrome OS, is easy to navigate and offers a straightforward computing feel — minus the complexities and the learning bend of a traditional platform.

While Chromebooks are more user-friendly than most laptops, there are several steps you can take to make the process of switching from Windows 10 to Chrome Bone easier before handing one over to your parent. Here are 7 tips for preparing a Chromebook for a parent.

Adjust the Screen Density

The content on your Chromebook'southward screen (east.grand. text and buttons), by default, is rendered based on what the Bone thinks volition look best on the display's size and resolution. But in case the elements are too small or too large for your parent's vision, you have the option to customize them.

To exercise that, visit your Chromebook's "Settings" page and under the "Device" section, click "Displays." Adjust the "Display Size" slider to edit the screen'due south density to your liking.

Make the Cursor Easier to Spot

Mouse cursors are tiny and tin exist especially difficult to locate for aged eyes. On Chromebooks, you can use several additional tweaks to make them easier to spot.

Head back into "Settings" and navigate to Advanced > Accessibility. Select "Manage accessibility features." Ringlet down until y'all find the "Mouse and touchpad" category.

Here, you have a agglomeration of settings to personalize the await of the cursor. For starters, you can enlarge its dimensions with the "Show large mouse cursor" toggle. Underneath it, at that place's a dropdown to switch upwards the color of the cursor.

You lot also have the option to show a red border around the cursor whenever information technology'southward in motion. Turn on "Highlight the mouse cursor when information technology's moving" to exercise that.

Unlock the Chromebook with an Android Phone

If the person you lot're setting up the Chromebook for has an Android phone, they don't need to call back the Pin code or password to sign in. Chrome OS allows you to unlock your reckoner past merely bringing your Android phone into its Bluetooth range.

Get to Settings > Connected Devices and click the "Set up upwardly" push button to pair the Android phone. Follow the on-screen instructions and once you're done, return to this same page. Activate the toggle beside "Smart Lock" and you're all set up.

Now, whenever you are on the login screen, your Chromebook volition expect for the connected Android phone. When it discovers the device, information technology will turn the little lock icon green, indicating you're authenticated. All you demand to do is press the Enter central to log in.

Bring Back the Caps Lock Key

Nearly older users are accustomed to the good ol' Caps Lock central, a characteristic Chromebooks don't have. Instead, you lot're forced to make do with a keyboard shortcut to type in all-caps.

Fortunately, there'due south an culling: you can repurpose i of the born special keys like Search as Caps Lock. For accessing this, head over to Settings > Device > Keyboard and select "Caps Lock" in the "Search" dropdown.

Speak to Type

On Chrome Bone, the keyboard isn't the just way to type. Y'all can dictate text to your Chromebook too.

To switch it on, visit Settings > Advanced > Accessibility and under "Keyboard and text input," toggle the "Enable dictation" choice.

Once it's activated, you can press "Search + D" on whatever text field to speak what you'd like to type instead of using the keyboard. Alternatively, you lot can striking the new mic button at the bottom-correct corner of your screen. If you're not satisfied with the input, you tin press the "Esc" central to delete everything the computer has interpreted.

Enable Startup Audio

Chromebooks don't play a startup sound when they kick up. Merely if your parent misses that nostalgic tune or needs it to know when their computer is gear up to use, you can choose to manually enable it from the settings.

Open your Chromebook'southward "Settings" and go to Advanced > Accessibility > Manage Accessibility Features. Scroll downwards to the bottom and switch on the "Play Sound on Startup" option. The Chromebook volition now play a brief startup chinkle on the login screen.

Gestures for navigating on a Chrome Bone tablet tin feel awkward for folks who are not accustomed to Chromebooks. Therefore, if the Chromebook has a convertible blueprint, information technology'south best to revert to the traditional set up of navigation buttons.

To do that on Chrome Os, visit Settings > Advanced > Accessibility and select "Manage accessibility features." Go to the bottom of this screen and in the "Mouse and touchpad" section, enable "Prove navigation buttons." When you do this, your Chrome Os will show the standard dorsum and home buttons on the dock.

Shubham Agarwal is a freelance technology announcer from Ahmedabad, Republic of india. His work has previously appeared in Business Insider, Fast Company, HuffPost, and more than. You tin can reach out to him on Twitter.