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– Windows or 10 on chromebooks
Chrome OS is somewhat limited in the types of programs it can run, but it may be possible to install Windows on your Chromebook to expand its functionality. All you need is a few tools and software that you can find online for free. Windows only works on certain Chromebook models.
Make sure your Chromebook is compatible with Windows. Neither Google nor Microsoft officially support Windows for Chromebooks. Therefore, the only way to run Windows on a Chromebook it to hack your device. A developer named CoolStar has made a Windows for Chromebook Installation Helper where you can enter your device’s model and find the drivers you need to install Windows.
Before you begin, use this tool to determine if your Chromebook is capable of running Windows. There’s also a list of all Windows components compatible with Chromebooks. The site is frequently updated, so check back if something ever stops working. Hacking your Chromebook will void the warranty, so back up everything to your Google Drive and proceed with caution. In addition to new drivers and other software components, you will need the following items to complete the process:.
You do not need a Windows 10 product key to set up Windows on a Chromebook. While Microsoft will pester you to purchase one, there are very few restrictions on unregistered versions of Windows For example, some of the personalization settings are limited, but there are still workarounds that allow you to customize your desktop. You should only spend the extra money on a product key if you run into a task that you can’t do for free.
To install Windows, you must first replace your Chromebook’s BIOS , which are write-protected by a physical screw in the motherboard :. Some Chromebook’s have a write-protect switch instead of a screw. Check to see if your model has a switch; if it does, turn it off and skip to step 4. Turn off your Chromebook and flip it upside down. Remove the screws holding the back panel in place and open up your computer.
Locate and remove the write-protect screw, then replace the back panel. Press Enter to turn OS verification off and enable developer mode. Plug your Chromebook into a power source and wait for it to switch to developer mode. Your hard drive will be wiped, and you will be prompted to set up your Chromebook again like you did when you first bought it.
This is no longer required after you install Windows. Once finished, the firmware you need to run Windows will automatically install. Power down your Chromebook when the installation is complete. You can replace the write-protect screw, but you’ll have to remove it again if you ever want to reinstall the original BIOS. On your Windows computer, go to the Windows 10 download page and select Download tool now under Create Windows 10 installation media. Check the box beside Use the recommended options for this PC , then select Next.
Select USB flash drive , then select Next. Select your USB drive, then select Next. Wait for the installation media to be created, select Finish , then remove the flash drive from your PC. Use the Windows for Chromebook Installation Helper to find the recommended drivers for your specific model. If the Windows installer doesn’t boot from the USB device automatically, press Esc as soon as your Chromebook starts up to access the boot menu. If your Chromebook freezes at any point, hold down the power button to turn it off, then turn it back on.
When the Windows installer boots up, make sure the language and region settings are correct, then select Next. If you only have a USB keyboard, you can use the arrow keys, Tab , and Enter to navigate the installer menus, but a mouse makes it easier.
Step Make the necessary changes, like selecting Full Screen , enabling clipboard optimization, and more. You should now have remote access to the Windows 10 PC.
Note : This is a very good remote desktop app, but remote desktop solutions still have their pitfalls. They are highly dependent on internet connections and can experience delays at times. This works best if you have a high-speed internet connection between both computers.
CrossOver, by CodeWeavers, is a software solution that allows you to run specific OS apps on other operating systems. That includes running Windows software on your Chromebook. Specifically, you can only run it on Intel-based Chromebooks. If you want to involve any Android devices or apps, they need to be compatible with Android 5.
At that price, however, you might as well buy a Windows 10 PC. Step 1: Enable Linux by opening the Chromebook settings and selecting Linux beta. Follow the on-screen instructions. Step 2: Visit the CodeWeavers website and enter your name and email address to access the free trial. Step 3: Click the red Download Trial Now button.
Chrome will retrieve a DEB file from the website and save it to your default download location. Step 4: Locate and double-click on the download and click the blue Install button.
Step 5: Click the blue OK button to confirm. The app installs via Linux. Step 6: Open the Launcher followed by the CrossOver app. Step 8: A pop-up window appears. Click the Browse Available Applications link at the bottom to see what you can install. Alternatively, if you already have an installer, click the Select Installer tab instead.
Step 9: In many cases, you can confirm the software you want, and CrossOver will begin the installation process with no trouble. In some cases, you may have to choose the right installation file from a list, so pay close attention to file names and make sure you are choosing the one that you want.
You may also have to consent to License Agreements and similar contracts at this time. Step After the installation is complete, you should have the ability to launch it directly.
Remember that large programs will take up significant space, which not all Chromebooks have. Luckily, there are alternate ways to use Android apps on Chromebooks and save space. That connection would give users the chance to load and run Windows 10 through a dual-boot setup.
Google supposedly halted this project in However, recent reporting suggests that the project may not be dead after all. One of the most notable features of Chrome OS is its excellent source of scarce system resources. Unfortunately, though, Windows 10 demands a lot more horsepower to fire up and run than any Chrome OS. Difficulty Moderate. Duration 30 minutes.
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How to Install Windows on a Chromebook – How to put Windows on Chromebook devices
Open the file you downloaded and hit Accept. Pick Next. Choose Use the recommended options for this PC and press Next. Pick USB flash drive and hit Next. Wait for the process to conclude and click on Finish. Your Chromebook might boot directly from the USB device. Find your USB device and select it.
Connect your USB keyboard and mouse to the Chromebook. Select your language and region are correct and click Next. Click Install now.
Select the version of Windows you want to install. Preferably Windows 10 Home or Pro. Select Custom: Install Windows only advanced. Delete all partitions listed, ignore warnings, and click Next. Let Windows install and reboot. Remove the USB drive if asked to do so. Set up Windows and skip connecting to a network. How To. You might not have thought it was possible, but you have a few different options for bringing some of that Windows goodness to your Chrome OS machine.
There are many ways to make this work — and we can show you where to go. Installing Windows 10 on a Chromebook is difficult, and the end result may not be great. Most mainstream models have less than 64GB of space, around 4GB of memory, and no dedicated graphics chips.
Additionally, both Google and Microsoft do not support Windows 10 running on Chromebook-focused hardware. That means you may not find Microsoft-certified drivers and must fall back on possible third-party solutions. Most Chromebooks include a write-protect screw on the motherboard that prevents you from installing any operating system.
Finally, your Chromebook may not even have the hardware to support Windows Before setting off on this grand hacking adventure of setting up Windows on your Chromebook, you should back up any important data you have on the system. If something does happen and you find yourself unable to use your Chromebook , you can create a USB drive from another computer to try and recover the system. This will erase all of your data, though, so backups are a must. Step 6: Put the bottom shell back on the Chromebook and plug in the power adapter.
Step The Chromebook should reboot into Developer Mode. This opens the Terminal. If your Chromebook can be made to support Windows, congratulations. The process will be similar on other models of Chromebook, but some things—like the location of the write protect screw on the motherboard—will be different. Chromebooks have a special hardware feature that prevents you from modifying the BIOS.
On some Chromebooks, you may find a write protection switch instead. First, turn off your Chromebook. Flip the Chromebook over and unscrew the bottom to gain access to the motherboard. On our Chromebook, this required unscrewing 18 screws before we could remove the plastic panel. Be sure not to lose them!
A magnetic parts tray is a wonderful thing. Locate the write protect screw or write protect switch, depending on what the installation guide for your Chromebook specifies. There were some other giveaways, too. The write protect screw should look visibly different from the other screws on the motherboard. This particular screw appears a dark gray color on our Chromebook, while the other screws on the motherboard are brighter silver.
You can see a bright silver underneath the screw, while the other screws on the motherboard have a bronze color under them. Remove the screw and reattach the bottom onto your Chromebook.
Keep the screw in case you want to write protect your BIOS again later. Your Chromebook will wipe all your personal data files, resetting itself to the default settings after you do this.
However, all your important data should be synced with online services rather than stored on the Chromebook itself. The script presents a helpful interface that will walk you through the process. Windows will walk you through the final steps of the setup process, and you will have a fully functional Windows 10 laptop.
The Chromebook trackpad and keyboard should work now, so you can disconnect your external keyboard and mouse. Some keys have been remapped; for example, the Search key will serve as the Windows key. Most Chromebooks come with limited storage space and RAM, so you probably won’t be able to run resource-intensive software like PC games.
Nonetheless, you should be able to use any Windows 10 application provided your machine meets the minimum technical specifications. You should have no problem running Windows on high-end Chromebooks like the Google Pixelbook , but cheaper models may be more restricted.
Unfortunately, there’s no way to run both Chrome OS and Windows on the same device at the same time. When you visit this site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies.
Cookies collect information about your preferences and your device and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. Tweet Share Email. In This Article Expand. Can a Chromebook Run Windows? Everything Required to Install. Step-by-Step: Install Windows on Chromebook. Many Chromebook users can experience Windows 10 on Chromebooks in several unofficial ways.
How to make sure whether you can install Windows on Chromebook? You need to carefully follow the instructions one by one. If you still have some doubts, you can go to the community devoted to installing Windows on Chromebook. Have you ensured whether you can run Windows on your Chromebook? Undoubtedly, the installation process will destroy all data on your Chromebook. Furthermore, there are always certain risks in system installation. That means that you should first back up the important data stored in your Chromebook to prevent any possible data loss.
There are three important items you should prepare for. Furthermore, you need to prepare two blank USB flash drives. Then you should make a Windows installation USB. If you also have the same question, please read the post to find the answer. The installation process takes a while, so you should plug your Chromebook into power in case the battery runs out.
During the installation process, your Chromebook might freeze or stuck. If you run into this situation, you can force it to shut down by holding the Power button for ten seconds or so. If you have made sure that you can run Windows on Chromebook, then you can follow the steps below to install Windows on Chromebook.
The tutorial is below. How to locate this screw? The write-protect screw looks visibly different from the other screws on the motherboard.
Windows 10 on chromebook coolstar free –
Windows will show you a security warning when you install the drivers. Agree to install the drivers anyway. Afterwards, everything seemed to work properly on this model of Chromebook. We were able to disconnect the USB keyboard and mouse and use the Chromebook normally. And there you have it! Your Chromebook is now a very inexpensive, hopefully fully-functioning Windows computer. If something ever breaks, be sure to check back with coolstar. We select and review products independently.
When you purchase through our links we may earn a commission. Learn more. Windows ». What Is svchost. Best Ultrawide Monitors. Best Wi-Fi 6E Routers. Best Fitness Trackers. Best SSDs for Gaming. Best Budget Speakers. Best Mobile Hotspots. Best Speakers. Best Ergonomic Mice. Photography Lighting Kits. Best Smart Sprinkler Controllers. Reader Favorites Best Linux Laptops. Best Wi-Fi Routers. This essentially allows you to control a computer from another device or mobile device.
The downside is you need to have a Windows computer aside from your Chromebook. This might defeat the purpose because if you have a Windows machine, you might as well use it instead. But this is a great tool if, for example, you have a desktop at home and want to use Windows through your Chromebook when on the go.
Read: These are the five best remote desktop apps. It sounds like the perfect solution, but there are a couple of caveats. Related: The best cheap laptops you can buy. Not all Chromebooks can use it; only Intel-based laptops can take advantage of CrossOver. Furthermore, not all applications are supported, but many great ones are.
You might also benefit from using this software in macOS or Linux, as those platforms are also supported. Think of these as the Netflix of gaming. Shadow Tech is different; this company offers a Windows machine in the cloud.
Chromebooks can use the Android app. You can also do other intensive tasks, like editing and other processes.
Have you exhausted all other possibilities and still want to install Windows on a Chromebook? Please keep in mind this requires heavy tinkering, the use of third-party drivers, and even opening up your computer. Anything that happens is on you, so be careful. This means you might need to find third-party drivers to make everything work. Developer CoolStar has developed a guide for installing Windows on Chromebook devices.
Go to his website by pressing the button below and selecting your model. How to put Windows on Chromebook devices We actually don’t recommend it, but we’ll help if you must! By Edgar Cervantes. The drivers should install automatically when you open them.
Ignore any warnings from Windows, then restart your Chromebook when all the drivers are installed. When your Chromebook restarts, you can finally connect to a network. Windows will walk you through the final steps of the setup process, and you will have a fully functional Windows 10 laptop. The Chromebook trackpad and keyboard should work now, so you can disconnect your external keyboard and mouse.
Some keys have been remapped; for example, the Search key will serve as the Windows key. Most Chromebooks come with limited storage space and RAM, so you probably won’t be able to run resource-intensive software like PC games.
Nonetheless, you should be able to use any Windows 10 application provided your machine meets the minimum technical specifications.
You should have no problem running Windows on high-end Chromebooks like the Google Pixelbook , but cheaper models may be more restricted. Unfortunately, there’s no way to run both Chrome OS and Windows on the same device at the same time. When you visit this site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies.
Cookies collect information about your preferences and your device and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests.
You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. Tweet Share Email. In This Article Expand. Can a Chromebook Run Windows? Everything Required to Install. Step-by-Step: Install Windows on Chromebook. Any files on the USB drive will be overwritten. Step 3: Access a Linux shell environment by typing shell into the terminal window and hitting the Enter key.
To run this command, do not forget to hit the Enter key. Step 5: You will get the following list. Step 6: You will be asked whether to continue. To continue, click y.
Step 7: You will be asked whether to create a backup copy of your stock firmware. Step 8: When the backup process ends, you should remove the USB drive and then hit the Enter key to continue. When this process finishes, connect the Windows installation media to your Chromebook and then power off or restart your Chromebook.
When your Chromebook powers on, you should see the Windows Setup window as the following image screenshot shows if everything goes well. Then, connect the prepared mouse and keyboard to your Chromebook. You can now follow the on-screen instructions to install Windows on Chromebook. Step 1: Confirm the language, time, and keyboard on the current window and then click Next.
Step 3: You will be asked to enter the license key. Step 4: Accept the license and click the Next button to continue. Step 5: Choose the Custom: Install Windows only advanced option. Step 6: Delete all the internal partitions so that you can install Windows on the unallocated space and then click Next.
You can now run Windows on Chromebook but you should continue to install third-party drivers for the hardware to take advantage of the hardware of your Chromebook. However, you can enable test signing to break the limitation. To enable test signing, you should use the Windows utility Command Prompt. When your Chromebook starts, you can install the third-party drivers according to the second website I mentioned in Can You Run Windows on Your Chromebook.
During the installation, Windows will display a security warning and you should agree to install these drivers if you want to continue. You have already installed Windows on your Chromebook and the necessary drivers are prepared. Then, you can download some useful Windows-based programs.