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Turn Your Old Laptop into a Chromebook with ChromeOS Flex: Here’s How to

Don’t know what to do with your old laptop that’s only been collecting dust? It’s slow, the battery drains fast, and even basic web browsing feels draining. Or maybe, you have an old laptop laying around that you no longer use. If that’s the case, you can breathe new life into it by transforming it into a Chromebook with ChromeOS Flex.

What is ChromeOS Flex?

ChromeOS Flex is a lightweight operating system developed by Google to bring Chromebook-like performance to older Desktops, Laptops, and Macs. The OS is a free alternative to ChromeOS that gives aging laptops and desktops a second life with faster performance, better security, and automatic updates.
However, unlike the native Chromebooks, ChromeOS Flex does not support Android apps or Linux. It is ideal for users whose primary needs are web browsing, online work, and maximizing the usability of an old laptop and desktop.

How to Install ChromeOS Flex:

Minimum System Requirement:

Architecture: Intel or AMD x86-64-bit compatible device
RAM: 4 GB
Internal storage: 16 GB
Bootable from USB drive
BIOS: Full administrator access. You’ll need to boot from the ChromeOS Flex USB installer and make some adjustments in the BIOS if you run into issues.
Processor and graphics: Components made before 2010 might result in a poor experience.
Note: Intel GMA 500, 600, 3600, and 3650 graphics hardware do not meet ChromeOS Flex performance standards.

Check Google’s Certified Model List:

Google has also provided an official list of devices and models that google has individually tested and certified to run well with the ChromeOS Flex. You can find the official compatibility list on Google’s official website.

If your laptop isn’t mentioned in the list of certified device but does meet the hardware requirement, you can still try the ChromeOS directly from the USB Drive to test everything without the need to reset your device.

Create a Bootable USB Drive:

Get a USB Drive that’s 8GB or larger.
(Note: As everything in the USB will be erased, make sure to backup the files in the USB if needed)
Download and Install the Chromebook Recovery Utility extension.
Insert the USB into your PC and launch Chromebook Recovery Utility.

How to Use Chromebook Recovery Utility:

After you launch Chromebook Recovery Utility, Click on ‘Get Started‘.
Tap on the ‘Select a Model from the List‘ and look for your device model.
Click on the ‘Select a Product‘ select ChromeOS Flex and hit Continue.
After that select your USB Drive and hit Continue and Create now.
After it’s done creating a recovery image, tap on Done to finish the process.

Boot from the USB Drive:

Insert the Bootable Drive you just made into your old computer.
Turn on the device and enter the BIOS.
(Press F2, F8, F12, Del, or ESC during boot, depending on your device manufacturer)
Change the Boot Order to prioritize the USB Device and save the changes.
Restart your Computer to boot from the USB Drive.

Testing and Installation :

After you boot from the USB Device, tap on ‘Get Started‘ and tap ‘Try it First‘. By doing this, you can run directly from the USB to make sure everything works properly without resetting your PC. Check whether the essential features like Wi-Fi, Sound, Bluetooth, and other functions work smoothly.

If everything works properly, and you are satisfied by how it runs, you can proceed to install it on your computer to fully replace your existing operating system.

Image showing the installation completion of the ChromeOS Flex

Conclusion:

ChromeOS Flex is a free, lightweight OS that revives old laptops with improved speed and security. While it lacks Android and Linux support, it’s ideal for web browsing and online work. If your device meets the requirements, installing ChromeOS can extend its usability and boost performance.

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