How to Run Linux on a Chromebook

Chromebooksmay have started life as very canonical laptops that were useless without an net connection , but they ’ve become more brawny andmore usefulwith each passing year . Now , not only is it possible to run Linux on your Chromebook , you may enter the operating organization through a internet browser window .

The creature you ask to get conversant with isCrouton , which set up a edition of Ubuntu right on your Chromebook alongside Chrome OS . Before you get start , you should probablycreate a recovery imageof your Chromebook , but if you ’re careful , there should n’t be any problem during installation .

Next , put your Chromebook into developer mode . You ’ll need to unravel a WWW lookup for direction on how to do this as it diverge from Chromebook to Chromebook ( there ’s often a physical replacement somewhere ) . All the data on your Chromebook will be wiped , but it ’s all in the cloud , correct ? You might want to check the local SSD anyway , just to be indisputable .

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You ’ll see a rather scary - looking warning subject matter every sentence you reboot up into developer mode , but it ’s really just explicate that some of the common Chrome osmium security measure feature have been handicap so you could enter the deeper bed of the operating organization . Just be careful what you select to install .

Installing and running Linux

With that done , you ’re ready to install Linux . On your developer style Chromebook , go through the Chrome atomic number 76 frame-up process , then head tothe Crouton page on GitHuband download the Chromium OS Universal Chroot Environment from the link at the top . Open up a terminal windowpane with Ctrl+Alt+T and type “ casing ” then Enter .

Now , you get a pick of desktop surroundings . Unity is the most user - well-disposed for newcomers to Linux , but also the bulkiest , and you really take a Chromebook with a newer Intel chipset to run it . Xfce is the most lightweight and least substance abuser - friendly , whereas KDE is somewhere in the center . This official guide on Linux.comhas some useful extra info on your option .

case “ sudo sh ~/Downloads / crouton -t unity , xiwi ” then Enter , replacing “ unity ” with “ xfce ” or “ kde ” if you feel the need ( you could also add an “ -e ” sword lily to tote up encryption for extra security ) . For touchscreen Chromebooks , add the touch pin and a comma to the strand , so the last variable would be “ touching , unity , xiwi ” . The “ xiwi ” target area is significant for tend Ubuntu in a web browser windowpane .

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Crouton downloads and installs your alternative of Ubuntu Linux , then prompts you for a username and password . Finally type “ sudo startunity ” ( and Enter ) to launch the group O you ’ve instal . you’re able to switch osmium with Ctrl+Alt+Back and Ctrl+Alt+Forward on Intel Chromebooks ( tot Shift if you ’re on an sr. ARM - power Chromebook ) .

For the ultimate in convenience , installthe Crouton Integration extensionfrom the Chrome Web Store , which lets you run Linux inside a web browser tablet . You still need to launch the alternative OS first : Alt+Shift+T , then “ shell ” ( Enter ) , then “ sudo startunity ” ( Enter ) , but it then launch in a floating windowpane and you may have it open right alongside Facebook andGmail . Your Chromebook is now ready for any Linux desktop applications .

The Developer Mode splattering screen will seem every time you boot up Chrome OS ( though your local data is n’t wiped except for the first time ) . To go back to normal , insistency place on the splash screen , then support your pick . Chrome OS wipes the Chromebook , blue-pencil Linux , and starts up the system as normal .

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