Google has delivered Chrome OS Flex to inhale new life into maturing Windows PCs and more seasoned MacBooks. We’ve as of now composed an itemized guide on the best way to introduce Play Store-controlled Chrome OS on a PC; however, this one depends on Project Brunch, and the establishment interaction is very awkward. In any case, with Google straightforwardly supporting outsider equipment, Chrome OS Flex stands apart for its smooth establishment interaction and longer help window. I have tried Chrome OS Flex OS on my Windows PC, and it has brought about the ideal result. Follow our itemized guide below to learn how to introduce Chrome OS Flex to PCs and Windows workstations.
In this article, we’ve included bit-by-bit directions for introducing Chrome OS Flex. Notwithstanding, we clarified what Chrome OS Flex is and my involvement in Google’s new working framework. You can extend the table underneath and find pretty much every one of the methods.
What is Google Chrome OS Flex?
Google acquired Neverware, a New York-based startup that created CloudReady two years prior. This system breathed new life into old PCs and ran Chrome OS. CloudReady is based on the open-source Chromium OS base. They have, as of late, added Linux support too. It has now delivered Chrome OS Flex (also known as CloudReady 2.0) on Chrome OS, Google’s true workstation operating system that supports Google Assistant and other Google applications. Linux is also supported; however, it isn’t available on the Google Play Store.
Right now, Google is offering Chrome OS Flex to education and enterprise clients free of charge. Yet, normal users can also install Chrome OS Flex on their old Windows PCs and MacBooks. The objective behind this task is to utilize heritage equipment and deliver performance comparable to present-day PCs. We can anticipate additional help from various makers, including HP, Apple, and Asus, and that’s only the tip of the iceberg, as Google is at present seeking after the venture.
How to download Chrome OS Flex on your USB drive and install it on your PC, laptop, or MacBook
If you have an old laptop, Windows feels laggy and doesn’t function as responsively as it should. Google released Chrome OS Flex in February 2022 for older laptops, where using Windows or macOS is difficult. Google is directly competing against the productivity application giant Microsoft. ChromeOS Flex runs a Web Progressive application, which includes Google Docs and Spreadsheets, similar to the Microsoft Office suite.
You can install it on your PC and Mac. ChromeOS Flex offers most of the benefits of ChromeOS, but there is a significant difference. ChromeOS exclusively runs on Chromebooks, ChromeBoxes, and Chromebases. ChromeOS Flex doesn’t support Android apps or the Google Play Store; it neither runs the Windows virtual machine nor supports Linux development environments.
How to Install ChromeOS Flex on PCs
You can use Cloud-First Ready on a non-certified device, but you can check the certified model list.
Prerequisites for Installing Chrome OS Flex
- A USB pen drive with somewhere around 8GB or a greater amount of capacity.
- Windows PC with an Intel or AMD x86-64-cycle processor. ARM processors are not yet supported.
- No less than 4GB of RAM or more.
- Interior stockpiling should be 16GB or more.
- Look at your PC’s similarity here. On the off chance that your PC is on the rundown, you are all set. On the off chance that your model doesn’t show up on the rundown, sit back and relax. You can, in any case, go on with the establishment. Chrome OS Flex works even on non-affirmed PCs, as we tried below; however, some usefulness might be restricted.
Minimum Requirements to Run ChromeOS Flex
- Architecture: Intel or AMD x86-664-bit device
- RAM: 4 GB
- Internal storage: 16 GB
- GPU: Your GPU should be launched after 2010 to get acceptable performance.
How to Download Chrome OS Flex
To create a USB installer, you need to use Google Chrome, and then use the following steps to boot your USB drive:
Download the Chromebook Recovery Utility Tool extension.
- Open the Chrome Web Store.
- Search for Chromebook Recovery Utility Tool, or go here.
- Click on Add to Chrome.
- Click on Add Extension, and wait for it to finish installing.
Insert a USB drive and erase the recovery media.
- Start by inserting your USB drive into your computer.
- Next, open the Chromebook Recovery Utility Tool extension on your Chrome.
- Click on the Gear icon, which appears in the top-right corner.
- Click on it, and then click on Erase Recovery Media.
- Next, select your USB drive and click Continue.
- Confirm your action by clicking on Erase Now, and clicking Yes on UAC (User Account Control).
Download and boot your Chrome OS Flex on Drive.
- Open the Chromebook Recovery Utility Tool from an extension.
- Click on Get Started and select a model from a list next.
- Choose Google Chrome OS Flex as the manufacturer and Chrome OS Flex as the product.
- And continue, select your USB drive.
- Click on Continue, and to download Dev, click on Show advanced settings. Choose a stable developer based on your preference.
- Next, click on Create Now.
It takes some time to create a ChromeOS bootable drive; keep patience while it is complete. During this process, UAC will prompt you to click Yes and wait for it to finish.
Once it finishes, click OK.
- You can also download the zip file and extract it to your USB drive using WinRar.
Download ChromeOS Flex ISO
Install ChromeOS Flex on your PC and Mac.
- Shut down your device and insert your bootable ChromeOS Flex USB drive.
- Power on your device and press the boot key repeatedly. Choose a USB drive to boot.
| Manufacture | Boot Key |
| Acer | F2 |
| Apple | Hold Option |
| Asus | Del |
| Dell | F12 |
| Gateway | F1 |
| HP | F9 |
| Intel | F2 |
| Lenovo | F12 |
| Toshiba | F2 or F12 |
| Other | Esc, F1-F2, or Enter |
The boot key might be different on some models,
Boot Key
- Next, it opens the ChromeOF Flex screen with two options: Get Started and Try It First (where it allows you to run the OS directly from your USB device without installing it).
- Follow the on-screen installation, which asks you to sign in with your Google account.
- Your device will restart multiple times, and your data will be erased during this process.
- That’s it! You can now enjoy using ChromeOS Flex.
Note: If installing fails, check out the Google Troubleshoot guide or send feedback. For any help, check the ChromeOS Flex Help.
Format USB Drive
After installing ChromeOS Flex on your device, use a USB drive. You need to format, and it’s recommended to format using the Chrome Recovery Utility extension.
Erase the Recovery Media
- Start by inserting your USB drive into your computer.
- Next, open the Chromebook Recovery Utility Tool extension on your Chrome.
- Click on the Gear icon, which appears in the top-right corner.
- Click on it, and then click on Erase Recovery Media.
- Next, select your USB drive and click Continue.
- Confirm your action by clicking on Erase Now, and clicking Yes on UAC (User Account Control).
Introduce Chrome OS Flex on a Windows laptop or MacBook.
- After the glimmering is finished, restart your PC and press the boot key. If you don’t have a clue about the boot key of your PC, look at the table underneath. Continue pressing the boot key until you see the boot determination page. On the off chance that you are introducing Chrome OS Flex on a specially constructed PC, observe the boot key for your motherboard producer on the web.
- On the boot determination page, select your USB drive using the bolt keys and press Enter.
- Presently, the “Welcome to CloudReady 2.0” screen will show up. Click on “Begin” here. Presently, survey the onscreen guidelines and sign in with your Google account.
- I propose you investigate Chrome OS Flex before introducing it to your hard drive. This way, you can check the similarity of your Wi-Fi, console, mouse, Bluetooth, touchpad, and other equipment gadgets.
- At the point when you are certain you need to introduce Chrome OS Flex, open the Quick Settings board from the bottom right corner and snap “Sign Out.”
- Then, click on “Introduce CloudReady” in the lower left corner.
- At last, click “Introduce CloudReady 2.0,” and afterward, click “Introduce” once more. Note that this progression will wipe your whole hard drive, so make certain to make reinforcement before playing out this move. After the establishment is finished, switch off your PC and eliminate the USB drive.
- That is it. Chrome OS Flex will open on your gadget with no issues.
Chrome OS Flex on a Windows Laptop: First Impressions
It would not be inappropriate to say that Chrome OS X Flex is very performant compared with Windows 11 or 10. I consistently utilize an eighth-generation i5 Chromebook, and, on the other hand, on my sixth-generation Windows PC, the presentation of Chrome OS Flex is unique. The amazing part is that Google has added Google Assistant help to the great Chrome OS Flex. Note, notwithstanding, that there is no Android application backing, and Google has not declared that it will add the Play Store to this form later on.
The most effective method to install Chrome OS Flex on your Windows PC, laptop, and MacBook. All things considered, there is undeniable Linux support, and that in itself is incredible. You will want to utilize work-area Linux applications on your Chromebook. With Wine, you could run lightweight Windows applications on your Chrome OS Flex-fueled Chromebook.
In the meantime, the current Chrome OS Flex construct depends on the astonishing Chrome OS 100. In a little while, Chrome OS Flex will be steady for anybody, for sure. To summarise, in the event that you have a maturing PC or MacBook and need something for everyday perusing and day-to-day undertakings, Chrome OS Flex is an extraordinary alternative.
Benefits of using ChromeOS Flex
Most of the things run on the cloud, which makes them lightweight, works fast, and runs on most of the hardware. It gives you easy sync with your Android smartphone, including mobile notifications, photos, replies to conversations, messages using Google Messages, and more. It gets connected to your Android device, and it also helps reduce e-waste. Google regularly pushes updates to improve the operating system.