Have an old Windows laptop at home and don’t know what to do with it? You’ll learn today how to turn it into a Chromebook by installing on it Chrome OS for free and voila, now you have a new and fun computer. We will be downloading and installing an Operating Sustem called CloudReady, which is a free version of Chromium OS (similar to Chrome OS, used on Chromebooks). The installation steps are similar for a laptop or a desktop computer.

If you're having problems downloading Chrome on your Windows computer, you can try the alternate link below to download Chrome on a different computer. On a computer connected to the Internet, download the alternate Chrome installer.; Move the file to the computer where you want to install Chrome.

Download the Operating System

Simply download the OS here. The file is less than 700 MB in size. Note that there is a 64 bit and a 32 bit version. Depending on the computer type you want to install Chrome OS, select the version you need. If you are not sure if the computer is a 64 bit or 32 bit, simply Google your computer brand and number (usually printed on the front or back) followed by “specks” word and you’ll find the details there.

  • Download Chrome for Mac. For Mac OS X 10.10 or later. This computer will no longer receive Google Chrome updates because Mac OS X 10.6 - 10.9 are no longer supported.
  • Download latest chrome os i686 iso image free of cost. This is an open source chrome os that you also manually build your own chrome os. Download Link Chrome OS i686 0.9.570 ISO. 5+ Best Free Flowchart Software Tools For Windows and Mac (2020) 6+ Best Free Keylogger for Windows (2020).
  • The Chromebook with the 'Chrome OS is missing or damaged' error; Another Chromebook, or a Windows or Mac computer with Chrome installed; A USB flash drive that can hold at least 8 GB, and that you don't mind erasing. If your Chromebook has an SD card slot, you can use an SD card instead.

If you decide to install Chrome OS on the old rusty laptop you didn’t used since years, chances are that it is a 32 bit computer.

Things You’ll Need to Install Chrome OS

  1. An old laptop or a desktop PC where to install Chrome OS
  2. A 8GB or 16GB USB stick to create the installer
  3. A Mac, Windows PC or Chromebook running Chrome browser
  4. An internet connection (since we are installing a browser based OS)
Download

Installation Process

  • Unzip the downloaded Chrome OS zip file
  • From your Chrome browser, navigate to this link and install (click on the Add to Chrome) the Chromebook Recovery Utility extension.
  • Navigate to your Apps page in Chrome browser and the Chromebook Recovery Utility will show up there.
  • Launch the App and click on the “Get started” button.
  • Locate the gray gear icon in the top right and select “Use local image”
  • Now select the unzipped OS file and follow the onscreen instructions.
  • When prompted, insert the 8GB or 16GB USB stick into your computer.
  • You have now successfully created the USB installer.
  • Turn off the computer on which you want to install the Chrome OS and plug in the installer USB
  • Boot from USB (on Dell, HP and Lenovo press F12 when the Logo appears. On other computers is usually the F1 or F12 key).
  • Follow the onscreen instructions and wait for the installer to finish.
  • After the installation is done, the computer will shut down. Disconnect the installer USB and turn on the computer again.
  • Complete your installation by adding your Google account and eventually your network details if you decided to skip this step during the installation.
  • Done. You now have a fun new toy to play with.

What is Chrome OS?

Free Mac Os Download For Chromebook

Basically Chrome OS is an Operating System designed to by fast and dedicated to those that are doing all their stuff online. From reading emails, chatting, listening to music, using online document editors like Google docs to playing online games. If that type of a person are you, than you might not need a “full” computer OS. Just think about if it makes sense to you to open your computer if the internet is down. The guys from Google are explaining it better:

Now you know what Chrome OS is and how to install it for free on your old PC or laptop. Let us know how it worked out.

P.S. Microsoft works on a alternative Cloud based OS called Windows 10 Cloud. We have covered it in depth here.

Related

Bored of running Chrome OS on your Acer C720 Chromebook? Want to turn it into a ‘hackintosh’ Mac Laptop?

Well, now you can.

Download virtual windows xp for mac. CoolstarOrg, a genius at getting other OSes up and running on Chrome OS hardware, has written a detailed guide on how owners of the Acer C720 can install Mac OS X 10.11 ‘El Capitan’ on their Chromebook.

A timely “hackintosh” report, all told. It was just over a year ago that we reported on CoolStar’s effort to get OS X 10.9 Mavericks up and running on an the exact same Chromebook.

Sure, there are caveats and practicality issues, but it’s a great case of “…because why not?”. Chromebooks are basic Intel-based PCs: they can run Linux, they can run Windows, so it’s no surprise that they can also run Mac OS X.

El Capitanbook

You will need an Acer C720 with an Intel Core i3-4005U and 4 GB RAM to follow along, as this chipset is the one most compatible with OS X (requiring only a few minor tweaks).

You’ll also need a a user-upgraded 64 GB (or higher) SSD and a legit copy of Mac OS X 10.11 El Capitan ready to boot from a USB.

Chromebook Software Download

Don’t expect miracles once you’ve jumped through the required hoops, either. Trackpad scrolling is described as “poor and choppy”, and hackintoshers report patchy Wi-Fi issues.

Chromebook For Pc Software Download

Check out Coolstar’s full guide over on Reddit, and bookmark this page of his website for further details.

Chromebook Software Download For Laptop

[Guide] Install OS X 10.11.5 El Capitan on Acer C720 Chromebook from chrultrabook