How to Customize Your Chromebook Home Screen and Shelf

Start from the desktop and the bottom-right menu

Most home screen controls live in two places: the desktop itself and the bottom-right corner of the screen. When you select the date and time, ChromeOS opens the Quick Settings panel. From there you can reach the full Settings app, change Wi-Fi and volume, and check notifications. Google's own help pages use the same path for system updates and Linux setup: at the bottom right, select the time, then choose Settings. See Quick Settings and check and install ChromeOS updates to learn more about the menu.

The desktop also accepts right-click. On a touchpad, use a two-finger click; on a touchscreen, press and hold. A desktop menu gives you quick access to wallpaper and display settings. If your Chromebook is managed by a school or employer, some options may be hidden by policy, and an administrator controls what you can change. Knowing where each control lives makes the rest of this guide faster.

Set a wallpaper that fits you

To change the wallpaper, right-click an empty spot on the desktop and choose the wallpaper option. ChromeOS lets you pick a preset image, upload your own photo, or select a solid color. On supported Chromebook Plus devices, ChromeOS can create an AI-generated background. Google's ChromeOS page highlights this as a way to personalize your homescreen with custom, AI-generated visuals. The result is a desktop that does not look like everyone else's.

A wallpaper does not affect system performance in any meaningful way, so choose something you enjoy. If the image makes icons or text hard to read, switch to a simpler photo or a darker solid color. You can change it again whenever your taste changes, without touching installed apps or saved files. For step-by-step instructions, see change your Chromebook wallpaper.

Organize the app launcher

The launcher is the circular button on the shelf, usually in the lower-left corner. Opening it shows your apps and a search box. Drag an app to move it, or drag one app onto another to create a folder. Once you create a folder, you can name it and add more apps by dragging them in. This is the fastest way to keep a long app list under control.

If you install many apps, folders keep the launcher tidy. Separate work, school, entertainment, and utility apps into named groups. You can also search for an app by name instead of scrolling. Android apps from the Play Store behave like other icons, and Linux apps appear after you set up Linux. For app basics, see set up Android apps on your Chromebook and manage default apps on your Chromebook.

• Press and drag any app icon to move it.
• Drag one app onto another to create a folder.
• Right-click an icon to see Pin to shelf and other options.

Pin, unpin, and rearrange the shelf

The shelf is the bar at the bottom of the home screen. It usually holds Chrome, Files, and any apps you pin. To add an app, open the launcher, right-click the app, and choose Pin to shelf. To remove it, right-click the icon on the shelf and choose Unpin. You can also drag shelf icons left or right to set your own order. Keep only the apps you use daily on the shelf so you can reach them in one second.

On Chromebook Plus models, Google puts NotebookLM directly in the shelf, so the note-taking and document tool is one tap away. This is part of the AI-assisted desktop experience Google describes for Chromebook Plus. If you want that feature set, start with our Chromebook Plus guide.

Use Quick Settings, notifications, and virtual desktops

Beyond wallpaper and icons, ChromeOS gives you tools to organize the whole desktop. Split screen lets you place two windows side by side, and virtual desktops keep separate projects on separate screens. These do not decorate the home screen, but they change the way the desktop feels. See split screen and multiple desktops for the menus.

The date-and-time corner is also where update notifications appear. Google's update help says that when your Chromebook downloads a software update, an Update device notification appears next to the date, and you select Restart to finish. Keeping the system updated protects the features you customize. Read about ChromeOS updates support to understand the schedule.

Keep your layout reliable and supported

ChromeOS is designed to keep both the operating system and the apps you rely on updated automatically over time. Google's Auto Update policy says ChromeOS devices receive 10 years of updates, with each update covering the operating system, browser, and hardware. If you buy a new Chromebook, that extended support window means your home screen and shelf will keep receiving new features for years.

If your Chromebook is managed by work or school, an administrator may restrict customizations. Google's Linux help makes this point directly: if you use your Chromebook at work or school, you might not be able to use Linux, and you should contact your administrator. The same idea applies to other settings. On a personal Chromebook, most home screen choices are yours to make.

School and work Chromebooks also follow a managed update policy, so what you see on the shelf can change when policies are updated. For models with long support and the features you want, compare Chromebooks for students and 2-in-1 Chromebooks.

What to pick for your use

Questions

Can I change the wallpaper without installing anything?

Yes. Right-click an empty area of the desktop and choose the wallpaper option. You can pick a preset image, upload a photo, or use a solid color. On supported Chromebook Plus models, ChromeOS can generate a background for you.

How do I create a folder in the app launcher?

Open the launcher, then drag one app icon onto another. ChromeOS groups them into a folder. You can rename the folder and add more apps by dragging them onto it. Search by name if you cannot remember where you placed an app.

Can I pin any app to the shelf?

Yes. Open the app launcher, right-click the app, and choose Pin to shelf. To remove a pinned app, right-click its icon on the shelf and choose Unpin. Drag shelf icons to reorder them.

Do customizations slow down my Chromebook?

Changing wallpaper and moving icons does not slow down normal work. If your Chromebook feels slow, the usual cause is too many open tabs or too little memory for the apps you run. See Chromebook RAM explained for guidance on how much memory you need.

How do I update my Chromebook after customizing?

Select the date and time in the bottom-right corner, choose the Settings gear, open About ChromeOS, and select Check for updates. When you see the Update device notification next to the date, restart to finish. The same menu area is where you opened Quick Settings while customizing your home screen.