I’ve turned my Windows 10 laptop computer right into a Chromebook — and so are you able to. With Windows 10 support coming to an end, hundreds of thousands of laptops are dealing with compelled retirement.
Instead of consigning your getting old PC to assemble mud alongside your Amazon Fire Phone and Google Glass, you possibly can set up Google’s ChromeOS to provide it a rejuvenated look, sprightly reactions, and a boosted immune system.
Google itself has designed a version of Chrome OS — dubbed ChromeOS Flex — particularly for set up on older laptops, and it comes with just about the identical function set because the operating system that is pre-installed on Chromebooks. As nicely as giving your {hardware} a brand new lease of life, it’s the proper strategy to dip your toe within the Chrome ecosystem with out shelling out for a top Chromebook.
I’ve obtained the proper laptop computer for this activity: a Windows 10-based Xiaomi Mi Laptop Air 13.3 from 2017, which nonetheless works completely however isn’t eligible for a Windows 11 improve. While I’ll lose some high-end options (resembling gaming and video enhancing), I just about solely use this laptop computer for Google Chrome and Google Docs anyway.
So, let’s prep this affected person for an OS transplant…
Tools and requirements
- A Windows 10 laptop
- A USB drive or SD card with 8GB or more of storage
- A stable internet connection
- A Google account
Quick steps
- Use the Chromebook Recovery Utility to create a ChromeOS Flex boot drive
- Restart your PC and boot from the ChromeOS Flex USB drive
- Try ChromeOS Flex on your PC
- And, if you like it, install it
Step by step guide
1. Get your PC ready
(Image: © Future / Microsoft)
If you’re sure you can’t upgrade to Windows 11, otherwise you simply don’t wish to, you’ll want to arrange your PC for ChromeOS Flex. There are two methods to run ChromeOS Flex: from the USB drive (reversible, so you possibly can return to Windows) or from a full arduous drive set up (which is irreversible).
Google provides a list of PCs certified to run ChromeOS Flex with out hitches, however mine wasn’t listed and it was positive. Either means, it’s a good suggestion to check ChromeOS Flex earlier than you decide to a full set up. Be positive to again up essential recordsdata earlier than continuing, too.
2. Install the Chromebook Recovery Utility
(Image: © Future / Microsoft)
In Google Chrome, discover the Chromebook Recovery Utility and click on Add to Chrome. Click the puzzle icon subsequent to the handle bar, open the Recovery Utility, and select Get began.
When requested to Identify your Chromebook, select Select a mannequin from an inventory and select Google ChromeOS Flex for producer and ChromeOS Flex below product.
3. Create your restoration picture
(Image: © Future / Microsoft)
Insert your USB drive after which select it from the checklist. If prompted, select the Stable ChomeOS Flex construct, then click on Create Now. This may take a little bit of time, however when you get a message that your restoration media is prepared you possibly can take away your USB Drive.
4. Boot to the installer
(Image: © Future)
Now, flip off your goal PC and insert the ChromeOS Flex drive. Turn in your PC and the drive is likely to be mechanically detected, during which case you possibly can choose it and proceed to the following step.
If Windows begins as standard, you’ll must enter your system’s BIOS. To do that, test your system’s boot key on-line after which hammer this if you restart your PC — in my case, it was F2. In the BIOS menu, discover your boot choices, make your USB drive the precedence, then save the settings and restart your laptop.
5. Test ChromeOS Flex
(Image: © Future)
Now, you’ll be given a few choices: Install ChromeOS Flex or Try it first. We advocate attempting it to ensure it really works OK in your {hardware}. Run by way of the following steps to connect with Wi-Fi and check in to your Google account.
Test ChromeOS Flex by loading some web sites. If every little thing appears to be working OK, resembling your cursor and audio system, you possibly can proceed to the following step. Keep in thoughts that there is likely to be some glitches right here (resembling occasional freezes) that disappear in a full set up.
6. Last likelihood to again up
(Image: © Future)
If you’re proud of the check model of ChromeOS Flex, you possibly can go forward with the total set up. Remember that it will fully wipe the Windows set up out of your PC, so that is your final likelihood to again up something essential earlier than continuing.
If you are feeling such as you’ve forgotten one thing, shut down ChromeOS, then take away the USB drive, flip in your laptop and it’ll boot again to Windows. Take one final go searching and again up something essential, then Shut Down Windows for the ultimate time.
7. Install ChromeOS
(Image: © Future)
Now you possibly can reinsert your USB drive and energy up your PC. This time, select Install ChromeOS Flex and run by way of the setup steps as soon as extra, re-entering your wifi and Google Account particulars.
Voilà, your laptop computer has undergone a dramatic transformation into a totally fledged Chromebook.
8. Erase your drive
(Image: © Future)
You can use your ChromeOS Flex USB drive to check and set up the working system on different laptops, however you’ll must erase it if you wish to use it for normal storage once more.
Fire up the Chromebook Recovery Utility from step 2, however this time click on the settings cog icon, select Erase restoration media, then choose the drive and select Continue. The drive will now be erased and prepared for formatting in your working system of alternative.
Finally, restart your laptop one final time, enter the BIOS (step 4) and, if vital, change the boot choices again to their defaults.
How to turn a Windows 10 laptop into a Chromebook: FAQ
How does ChromeOS differ from Windows?
As its name suggests, ChromeOS has been designed from the ground up to run the Chrome web browser, making it a far simpler and more stripped-back operating system with low hardware requirements.
This also means it lacks the ability to run specialized and professional software or demanding videogames, but if you spend most of your time in the browser, then ChromeOS is an excellent choice.
What’s the difference between ChromeOS Flex and ChromeOS?
ChromeOS Flex is specifically designed for installation on a variety of laptops, but this also means that it’s slightly limited compared to the version of Chrome supplied on Chromebooks.
It lacks Google Play Store and Android Apps support, so you can’t install additional apps. It also can’t take advantage of the high security level provided by a Google Security Chip — but it’s still an incredibly secure operating system, especially when compared to running Windows 10 without updates.
Will ChromeOS Flex run on any laptop?
To an extent, yes. Google has certified ChromeOS Flex to run on quite a lot of laptops, together with MacBooks. It will run on different {hardware} (together with the laptop computer I used on this tutorial), however there’s a better likelihood of operating into little glitches and errors, particularly with exterior units resembling CD drives or fingerprint readers.
How to turn a Windows 10 laptop into a Chromebook: Final thoughts
ChromeOS isn’t just a cosmetic upgrade for your computer — it’s a whole new operating system which is constantly updated and filled with useful features. It does have limitations, but it’s a great alternative to Windows and the perfect way to keep your old hardware out of landfill.
ChromeOS Flex is based on Linux, the free operating system that changed the world. While ChromeOS keeps things simple, if you want to delve deeper into alternative operating systems, a lightweight Linux distro may give you tons extra choices for personalisation and an enormous library of helpful software program.