ChromeOS is a great lightweight Linux-based operating system (OS). While you can purchase Chromebooks off-the-shelf, Google ChromeOS Flex lets you easily turn a laptop, desktop, or single-board computer (SBC) into a do-it-yourself (DIY) Chrome OS PC. All you’ll need to do is get a ChromeOS Flex download, burn it to a flash drive or SD card, then load it onto the compatible hardware of your choice. Let’s look at how to install ChromeOS Flex so you can breathe new life into aging computers!
What is ChromeOS Flex?
ChromeOS Flex is a version of Chromium OS, or ChromeOS as found on Chromebooks and Chromeboxes, intended for DIY installation on PC or macOS devices. Because ChromeOS Flex is based on Chromium OS, it’s open-source, cloud-first, secure, and lightweight.
However, there are some notable differences between ChromeOS Flex and ChromeOS. Notably ChromeOS Flex lacks Google Play Store and Android app support, You also won’t be able to run WIndows virtual machines (VMs) using Parallels on ChromeOS Flex. While ChromeOS Flex is secure, it lacks a Google security chip, though there is secure boot support for ChromeOS Flex.
What is ChromeOS Flex: Google ChromeOS Flex is a Linux-based verison of the fast, secure, cloud-based Chromium OS that’s free to use and install on any x86 hardware like macOS or Windows PCs.
Why Should You Use ChromeOS Flex?
Since ChromeOS Flex uses few system resources, it’s an excellent solution for breathing new life into older hardware. For instance, I installed ChromeOS Flex on an ancient Lenovo E31 ThinkPad which struggled even to run some desktop Linux operating systems, much less Windows 10.
ChromeOS Flex works well for reviving old laptops or desktops that don’t have an OS installed already, or that struggle to run more resource-intensive operating systems like Windows, macOS, and even some Linux distributions (distros).
Additionally, ChromeOS Flex works well for a kid’s computer for school. It’s free to use, runs on all sorts of devices, and can be configured specifically for children with solid privacy features enabled. This meaks you can easily make a good school laptop on the cheap with ChromeOS Flex.
Reasons to use ChromeOS Flex:
- It’s free
- You can run it on older PCs that can’t handle newer operating systems
- Works well for a kid’s computer
How to Install ChromeOS Flex
ChromeOS Flex is pretty simple to use. However, you’ll need a few things first.
What you’ll need to run ChromeOS Flex:
- ChromeOS Flex download
- x86 laptop or desktop
- Flash drive or SD card
- Active internet connection
- Host PC (Windows, macOS, or Linux) to use for downloading and installing the ChromeOS Flex USB installer
- Google Chrome web browser
- Visit Chrome Enterprise
Visit Google’s Chrome Enterprise website and visit the ChromeOS Flex page, then tap Try ChromeOS Flex.
- Select “install on a personal device”
Now, click the link next to “Looking to install on a personal device? Start here.” This takes you to the Prepare for installation Google ChromeOS Flex support page.
- Create your USB installer
Next, tap the “Create the USB installer” button to create your ChromeOS Flex bootable installer.
- Install Chromebook Recovery Utility
In order to create your ChromeOS Flex installer USB drive, you’ll need to install the Chromebook Recovery Utility. From a Chrome web browser, head to the Chromebook Recovery Utility extension and hit Add to Chrome. You can make sure the Chromebook Recovery Utility extension installed properly by clicking the Extensions
Manage extensions button in the top right-hand corner of your Google Chrome web browser. - Build your USB installer
With your 8GB or larger flash drive plugged into your computer, fire up the Chrome Recovery Utility extension: make sure the Chromebook Recovery Utility extension installed properly by clicking the Extensions
Manage extensions > Chromebook Recovery Utility > Get Started - Select a model and manufacturer
The Chromebook Recovery Utility prompts you to choose a manufacturer and model from the list. For manufacturer, pick Google ChromeOS Flex, and for product hit ChromeOS Flex. Then press Continue.
- Choose your USB flash drive or SD card
Make sure your USB flash drive or SD card is properly inserted into a free USB port, then select it from the dropdown menu. Click Continue after that.
- Create your bootable ChromeOS Flex USB installer
Click Create now to make a bootable ChromeOS Flex USB installer and download ChromeOS Flex to your writeable drive. Once you receive a message that your USB installer is finished burning, pop the Chrome OS Flex USB out and insert into the laptop or desktop you want to install ChromeOS Flex on.
- Power on your device and boot into the BIOs menu
Turn on your PC and boot into the BIOs menu. For me, that required pressing F12, but this varies by manufacturer. Select the bootable drive from the list; for me, this was USB Disk 2.0.
- Get started installing ChromeOS Flex
At the Welcome to ChromeOS Flex screen, tap Get Started.
- Install or try ChromeOS Flex
Then, pick whether you want to install ChromeOS Flex or try it out. Installing erases your hard drive and loads ChromeOS Flex, while trying ChromeOS Flex out simply runs it in a live environment from your USB drive or SD card. Choose an option, then hit Next. There’s a warning that ChromeOS Flex installation erases your HDD if you pick Install, so hit Install to continue.
- Wait for installation to finish
Once installation is over, you’ll see an Installation complete screen. Your PC powers off after 20 seconds, so then remove your flash drive or SD card and power your computer back on.
- Configure ChromeOS Flex
After booting back into ChromeOS Flex, you’ll see a Get Started button, so tap that.
- Connect to Wi-Fi
Get internet access by selecting your Wi-Fi network name and entering your password.
- Select a user
Choose a user, either yourself/another adult or a child. If you pick a child, you can establish digital parameters with parental controls. Pick an option, then hit Next.
- Log into your Google account
Enter your Google account username and password.
- Review the terms and conditions, sync your Chromebook, enable/disable hardware data collection, sync your phone
Review the terms and conditions (or just accept and continue, we all know nobody reads the fine print). Then, you can choose whether or not to sync your Chromebook apps, settings, etc. with your Google account for access across all of your devices. ChromeOS Flex also lets you allow or disallow hardware data collection. Finally, you can connect your phone if you want to sync information across your DIY Chromebook and your Android phone.
- Personalize your display theme
You can select light theme, dark theme, or auto which switches between light and dark themes automatically.
- Enjoy ChromeOS Flex
That’s it! You should be in ChromeOS Flex so you can use Google Suite, watch YouTube and YouTube TV, play games, and more.
Manage extensions button in the top right-hand corner of your Google Chrome web browser. How to Setup Google ChromeOS Flex FAQs
ChromeOS Flex is a version of Chromium OS designed to be installed on your own hardware rather than shipped on an off-the-shelf Chromebook. It can be used to rejuvenate older devices, so you can use ChromeOS Flex on Macbooks, Windows, or Linux PCs to replace the original operating system with a Chromium-based one.
Yes, you can install many Linux apps on ChromeOS Flex. However, there’s no ChromeOS Flex Play Store support, so unlike most pre-built Chromebooks, you can’t install Android apps. Out-of-the-box, ChromeOS Flex includes a slew of apps including YouTube, YouTube TV, Google Suite, and of course Google Chrome.
ChromeOS Flex is a great alternative to Chrome OS, and is better in some ways. For instance, it’s free to download and use, runs on many different computers, features good performance, and works generally the same as Chrome OS. However, Chrome OS as found pre-installed on most Chromebooks comes with Google Play and Android app support, boasts Google security chip protection, and doesn’t support Windows virtual machines using Parallels.
Yes, ChromeOS Flex is very good because it lets you refresh older hardware with a lightweight, secure, cloud-based operating system for free. Google Chrome OS Flex offers a snappy experience that’s not resource-intensive, and lets you transform a dinosaur of a laptop or desktop into a surprisingly usable device.
ChromeOS Flex is completely free for personal use, education, or even business purposes. However, enterprise users may need to shell out for Chrome Enterprise for fleet support management if desired.
Yes, ChromeOS Flex works on virtually any x86 PC currently running a 64-bit Windows, macOS, or Linux PC. It’s certified on many computers, but you can install ChromeOS Flex DIY as well.
To download ChromeOS Flex on your PC, you’ll head to the Google Chrome Enterprise website, install the Chromebook Recovery Utility Chrome web browser plugin, then launch that to burn ChromeOS Flex to a flash drive. From there, you can plug in your bootable drive to the laptop or desktop you want to run ChromeOS Flex on and install it.
To permanently install ChromeOS Flex, choose Install instead of Try when prompted during the setup process.
Yes, ChromeOS Flex is completely free for personal use, education, and even business purposes.
How to Install ChromeOS Flex: Final Thoughts
Ultimately, ChromeOS Flex is an excellent way to revive older hardware. While it lacks some features like Google Play Store and Android app support, ChromeOS Flex is a great way to repurpose aging PCs rather than simply recycling them. It’s even solid for making educational machines for kids thanks to its robust parental controls.
Your turn: Have you tried out ChromeOS Flex or do you plan to? What Chromebooks do you recommend?
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