How to install ChromeOS on your old PC or Mac
An old Mac or PC that is no longer supported by Windows or macOS updates can still be useful. By switching to ChromeOS Flex, you’ll have access to many features of thelatest Chromebooksand keep your device in active service. It’s a budget-friendly way to improve performance and postpone buying a new computer. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you out.
What is ChromeOS Flex?
Google acquired Neverware, the company behind CloudReady, in December 2020. CloudReady allowed installing ChromeOS on non-certified devices. Building on its acquisition, Google announced ChromeOS Flex inFebruary 2022, a successor to CloudReady, to make old Windows laptops and MacBooks usable again.
ChromeOS Flex is free to download and use. It is primarily meant for older PCs, laptops, and MacBooks used by businesses and schools that are now too slow to run Windows or macOS properly. The OS promises faster boot times, a reliable experience, background updates, and more. Google aims to reduce e-waste and extend the lifespan of old PCs with ChromeOS Flex.
How do ChromeOS and ChromeOS Flex differ?
ChromeOS and ChromeOS Flexshare the same foundation. However, there are a few differences that you should be mindful of before you install ChromeOS Flex on your old laptop.
ChromeOS only runs oncertified hardware. ChromeOS Flex runs on a range of older hardware. Chromebooks also benefit fromGoogle’s Titan C security chipand provide a verified boot to prevent tampering with system files.
Minimum spec
Architecture
Intel or AMD x86-64-bit compatible device
Internal Storage
Full administrator access. You’ll boot from the Chrome OS Flex USB installer and make adjustments in the BIOS if you run into issues.
Processor and graphics
Components made before 2010 might result in a poor experience.
Intel GMA 500, 600, 3600, and 3650 graphics hardware do not meet ChromeOS Flex performance standards.
Since older PCs do not have aTrusted Platform Module (TPM), ChromeOS Flex cannot provide hardware-level encryption. The data is encrypted, but the encryption keys are not protected at a hardware level. This means bypassing this encryption with the proper set of tools is possible. Google supports TPM encryption in laptops and PCs certified by it on ChromeOS Flex.
ChromeOS Flex doesn’t have Google Play access and does not support running Android apps. PCs running ChromeOS Flex cannot run Windows virtual machines using Parallels Desktop. Lastly, support for the Linux development environment in ChromeOS Flex depends on your PC and whether Google certified it.
When it makes sense to update your computer with ChromeOS
ChromeOS Flex is ideal for enterprises and educational institutions with old computers that can’t handle the workload.
For enterprises, Google providesChrome Enterprise Upgradeto remotely manage all ChromeOS Flex-running PCs. You can remotely wipe them, control their updates, and tweak system settings.Chrome Enterprise upgrade costs$50 per device per year, but prices can vary based on your region and reseller. Additionally, there’s a 30-day free trial available.
Google claimsenterprises can get up to a 295% return on their investment with Chromebooks and save three hours per device per worker over a three-year period. If your company cannot afford to switch to Chromebooks at once due to the size of the investment, ChromeOS Flex is a viable solution as it works on existing hardware.
Google maintains a list ofcertified models for ChromeOS Flexalong with their end-of-support dates. This is a great way to know how well the OS can perform on your old PC and whether you might encounter problems. If the list says you might run into significant issues with ChromeOS Flex on your computer, it may be best to put off the installation.
Google guaranteesaudio input/output, video output, network, touchpad, sleep, System UI and graphics, and webcam functionality on certified devices. Google does not guarantee that installing ChromeOS Flex will make your old PC run as fast as a Chromebook. Your PC’s specs and other factors determine ChromeOS Flex’s boot speed, power savings, and battery life improvements.
How frequently is ChromeOS Flex updated?
ChromeOS Flex is on the sameupdate cycle as ChromeOS. You’ll receive an OS update about every four weeks, while minor security fixes are available once every couple of weeks.
Google rolls out ChromeOS Flex updates in stages, so they might not be instantly available for your PC. Typically, updates take anywhere from a week to two weeks to reach all users. you may manually pull the latest ChromeOS Flex release if you don’t want to wait.
Google provides Smart Update Filtering to ensure an update is compatible with the hardware. If the update server detects hardware components in your PC that could have issues with the latest ChromeOS Flex release, the update may not happen as usual. However, the filtering usually only works for critical issues that could prevent your PC from booting or cause graphics or internet connectivity issues.
Unlike regular ChromeOS devices, ChromeOS Flex devices don’t automatically handle their BIOS or UEFI firmware updates. Instead, these updates come from the device manufacturers (OEMs) and must be managed manually. This means that someone, usually the device administrator, will follow different procedures depending on the device model to keep the firmware up to date.
Getting ready to download ChromeOS Flex
Before you begin the process, have the following on hand to ensure easy and quick installation:
Before installing ChromeOS Flex, back up your files from your current OS. This installation process erases your drive, like a clean installation of Windows, Linux, or macOS.
Install Chromebook Recovery Utility
Before you begin the installation process, install Chromebook Recovery Utility, which helps you install ChromeOS Flex on your device. Here’s what you’ll do:
How to create a bootable ChromeOS Flex installation drive
You can now use the Chromebook Recovery Utility to create a bootable ChromeOS Flex USB drive for the installation.
How to install ChromeOS Flex on your old laptop or MacBook
After creating the bootable USB, head over to your old PC or MacBook on which you want to install ChromeOS Flex. If you aren’t ready to install ChromeOS Flex on your devices, you can use it when needed by accessing the files on the USB installer.
Here’s what you’ll do to install ChromeOS Flex on your device:
After exploring the interface, follow these steps to install ChromeOS Flex:
After the reboot, follow the on-screen instructions to set up ChromeOS Flex. Connect your PC or laptop to the internet during setup and log in to your Google account to sync your files and photos. Format the USB drive that contains the ChromeOS Flex installation files if you want to reuse it.
Keep your Chromebook in check with Task Manager
Give ChromeOS Flex a try on your old PC
You don’t necessarily need a Windows or Mac PC to install ChromeOS Flex. Even anolder Chromebook will work. After ChromeOS Flex is running, exploreChromeOS tips and tricksto become proficient with the system.
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If the system would support it, installing a light version of Linux sounds more attractive. What am I missing?
Creating the usb boot:When prompted to enter your Chromebook model, clickSelect a modelfrom a list -
I dont have a chromebook, what would I select here? (Wanting chrome os on my old desktop win10 pc)
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This article is sponsored by Total Wireless.
