The right way to flip an outdated laptop computer right into a Chromebook

You probably have an getting older laptop or MacBook and have seen it is change into exceedingly sluggish and struggles to run easily, there is a free — and easy — option to give it a revitalized goal and keep away from losing cash on a brand new mannequin. All you need to do is ditch Windows or macOS for Google’s ChromeOS Flex. Even a decade-old laptop computer can really feel such as you purchased it final week. ChromeOS Flex has extraordinarily modest system necessities, that means even a funds laptop computer purchased years in the past will really feel snappy and responsive.

Putting in ChromeOS Flex is simple. You’ll be able to even hold your unique Home windows or Mac installations, packages and recordsdata if you wish to strive it first. If you happen to do not prefer it, you’ll be able to merely change again to Home windows precisely as you left it in just a few seconds. In fact, for those who’re completely offered on the brand new OS, then you’ll be able to even then take away Home windows to release area, creating your individual private Chromebook utilizing your outdated laptop computer.

On this information, I will inform you the right way to set up ChromeOS Flex whereas preserving your present working system put in, or putting in ChromeOS Flex as your new working system. It is fully free, works on most laptops that have been made after 2010 and all you want is an 8GB or bigger USB flash drive.

What’s ChromeOS Flex?

A minimal working system

Earlier than you begin, it is necessary to know what Chrome OS Flex is. ChromeOS Flex is a browser-based working system, just like what you may discover on any customary Chromebook, which implies you usually want entry to the Web and browser-based functions. If you happen to’re glad to stay to on-line providers reminiscent of Gmail and Google Docs or Outlook and Microsoft’s 365 plus video and audio streaming providers, then Chrome OS Flex may very well be for you.

What you’ll be able to’t do is set up apps onto your laptop computer itself. There is not any official Google Play Retailer help as the entire level about ChromeOS Flex is for it to be easy and straightforward to run. Simply because it is browser-based does not imply your laptop computer can be unusable for those who’re not on-line, although, as most browser-based extensions for utilizing the likes of Google Docs do have offline modes. It is price checking along with your particular apps, although, as some cannot work offline, reminiscent of Microsoft 365.

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The right way to set up ChromeOS Flex in your laptop computer

It isn’t exhausting, however does take a while

To start out with, you may must create a USB installer utilizing an 8GB or bigger USB flash drive — observe these steps:

1. In your laptop, use Google’s Chrome browser to access the Chrome Web Store by clicking on the extensions icon to the best of the tackle bar on the prime.
2. Set up the Chromebook Recovery Utility extension.
3. Join your USB flash drive after which run the extension by clicking on the extensions icon once more and deciding on the extension within the dropdown listing.
4. As soon as you’ve got opened the Chrome Restoration Utility, choose ChromeOS Flex in each dropdown menus. That is the model you’ll want to set up on a laptop computer. Now’s the time to again up any knowledge you want in your USB flash drive too, as this course of will wipe it.
5. It is necessary to verify for those who’re putting in ChromeOS Flex to the right drive. This system exhibits the make, mannequin and capability of the drive, so ensure that it matches your USB flash drive. (For instance, when you’ve got a 16GB Samsung USB flash drive, ensure that’s what you choose to flash ChromeOS Flex to, in any other case you possibly can wipe your laptop’s exhausting drive.)
6. After deciding on your drive, the utility will start to flash the mandatory recordsdata to it. The method will take just a few moments after it begins.
7. As soon as it is full, depart your USB flash drive related and restart your PC.

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Inform your laptop computer in addition into ChromeOS Flex

This subsequent step will allow you to take a look at, or go all in

Along with your USB installer made, now it is time to put it to make use of. To take action, you may want to inform your laptop computer or laptop to make use of the USB set up in addition off of utilizing the boot menu, which requires hitting the best key, or mixture of keys, as your laptop restarts. The boot menu secret’s completely different relying on the laptop computer producer, however you will discover a listing of them here. For Mac customers, it is dependent upon when you’ve got an Intel Mac or an Apple Silicon Mac. You’ll find the proper directions here.

No matter platform, as quickly because the display screen goes black after clicking restart, faucet the boot menu key or the right key mixture each second until the boot menu display screen seems. Well-liked examples are F12 for Dell and Lenovo or Esc for HP. Your handbook or a Google search will reveal the important thing on your laptop computer if it is not within the listing. As soon as within the boot menu, choose your USB flash drive from the listing and your laptop computer ought to boot into ChromeOS Flex.

Alternatively, you’ll be able to change the boot machine in your laptop computer’s BIOS. Once more there is a particular key you may want to do that, normally F2, F10 or Del. In contrast to the boot menu key choices, the BIOS choice is not going to reset on the following restart and can proceed in addition into ChromeOS Flex until you modify it again.

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Strive ChromeOS Flex first

Trial on USB drive to present you peace of thoughts

The beauty of ChromeOS Flex is that you simply’re capable of run it from the USB flash drive first earlier than putting in it in your laptop computer. This implies for those who do not prefer it, you’ll be able to simply unplug your USB flash drive and go straight again to your earlier working system reminiscent of Home windows. Nonetheless, for those who do intend to make use of it long-term, it is price putting in it immediately onto your laptop computer since you’ll see higher efficiency. You’ll be able to nonetheless strive it first, although, as you’ll be able to totally set up it utilizing the USB installer at any time.

If you wish to strive it for just a few days and intend to restart your PC throughout that point, you may need to change your default boot machine in your laptop computer’s BIOS as defined within the earlier step, in any other case every time you restart you may must enter the boot menu.

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Use ChromeOS Flex as your fundamental working system

You are able to go

If you happen to do not need to hold any of your packages or knowledge or your earlier working system need to use ChromeOS Flex as a substitute, you’ll be able to choose Set up ChromeOS Flex from the primary set up display screen or by clicking on Set up ChromeOS Flex on the backside of your display screen if you subsequent boot out of your USB installer.

Putting in ChromeOS Flex onto your laptop computer’s exhausting disk or SSD will imply it feels extra responsive as it’s going to possible be quicker than operating it off your USB flash drive. Putting in it’s going to wipe your laptop computer’s storage, although, so be sure you again up something you’ll want to hold.

Putting in ChromeOS Flex to your laptop computer takes only a minute or two and as soon as it is performed, you’ll be able to take away your USB flash drive and use it for different issues once more.

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FAQ

Q: Can I set up ChromeOS Flex on any laptop computer?

As long as the laptop computer mannequin is newer than 2010, it ought to meet the minimal specs.

Q: What apps can I take advantage of?

Virtually something that may run in an online browser with an web connection, reminiscent of Google Docs, Netflix, or Microsoft 365.

Q: Can I set up software program on ChromeOS Flex?

No. Something that may run in a browser can run on ChromeOS Flex, however you’ll be able to’t set up software program.

Q: Do I’ve to delete Home windows?

No. You’ll be able to run ChromeOS Flex off your USB flash drive to strive it out, however it’s going to run quicker if put in immediately in your laptop computer.

Q: What dimension USB flash drive do I want to put in ChromeOS Flex?

You have to an 8GB or bigger USB flash drive.