Most people use a Chromebook only for web browsing, online classes or daily tasks. But very few users know that there is also a secret tool inside Chrome OS called CROSH.
This tool, apart from the usual Settings, provides features with which you can check the system, find network problems and easily understand many technical errors.
If you have ever heard of “CROSH Commands” and did not understand what they are, then this guide is for you.
Basic CROSH Commands
There are some commands that are useful for almost every user.
For example, typing help gives you a list of basic commands. If you want to close CROSH, exit is used.
Similarly, uptime tells you how long the Chromebook has been running, while help_advanced shows more advanced commands.
These commands are very helpful for new users.
Important System Checking Commands
If you want to see the performance or hardware information of the Chromebook, there are several useful options in CROSH.
The command called top shows all the running processes. This shows which apps are using more resources.
Similarly, memory_test is used to check the system memory, while battery_test gives information about the battery status and performance.
Some users also use rollback, through which they can go back to the old Chrome OS version. However, caution is necessary while using this option because sometimes data can be deleted.
Network and WiFi Commands
Many Chromebook users face internet or WiFi issues. CROSH is also quite useful in this regard.
For example, you can check the internet connection through ping. If there is a problem accessing a website, tracepath shows the network route.
Similarly, network_diag generates a complete network report and helps in understanding the root cause of the problem.
The dns command is used to check DNS information.
Linux and Developer Commands
CROSH is also very important for users using Linux on Chromebook.
vmc start termina is used to start a Linux Container while vmc stop termina stops it.
If the Chromebook is in Developer Mode, more advanced features can be accessed through the shell.
These features are more useful for Developers and Advanced Users than ordinary users.
CROSH is not limited to just network or system information. It also has Bluetooth and Storage Related Commands.
bt_console is used for Bluetooth Diagnostics while storage_status provides information about storage health and errors.
If your Chromebook is running slow, these commands can be very helpful.
Caution when using CROSH Commands
Not all commands are safe. Some commands can change system settings while some can also delete data.
Therefore, if you are a beginner, use only basic and safe commands. Using an unknown command without understanding it can be harmful.
Conclusion
CROSH is a powerful hidden tool of Chromebook that provides many useful features to ordinary users as well.
If you want to solve your Chromebook problems yourself or want to learn more about the system, learning CROSH Commands can be very beneficial for you.
