Sometimes, it appears that your old laptop is done for. It might be still fully functional, and everything in general is working fine, but it is just so painfully slow.
Even then, if it’s working fine, it’s always a shame to get rid of a perfectly good device and have to buy a new laptop, just because the old one needs some time to think. Fortunately, there is a solution for that!
Your old device might just be a bit too slow to handle MacOS or Windows 11. These are quite a resource-hog and can bring even quite powerful machines to their knees. But these are not at all the only operating systems that you can use.
Google’s ChromeOS Flex is a great alternative if you still want to use your older device to do some office work or study. It’s free, it’s really easy to use and makes your laptop feel brand new again. Here’s everything you need to know about it and – importantly – how to install it on your laptop.
An important warning: when you install ChromeOS Flex, it will erase all the storage on your laptop. This means you must back up any files you want to keep before starting the process.
What is ChromeOS Flex
First, let’s start with the basics: what is ChromeOS Flex? You must’ve heard about Chromebooks – basic, inexpensive laptops that run ChromeOS and are geared towards students and other people who need a laptop for simple tasks like browsing the web and working with documents.
Well, ChromeOS Flex is an operating system that allows you to turn just about any laptop into a Chromebook. What’s even better is that it’s both developed by Google and completely free to use, so you can try it out without making a dent in your wallet – certainly not the sort of dent a new laptop will create.
ChromeOS is perfect for lower-powered devices. It’s an online-first OS that is based mostly on a Chrome internet browser, which means that you’ll need an internet connection to do almost everything.
However, this also allows it to be extremely lightweight and gives you access to quite a lot of features. If there’s a web app for something, you can get in on ChromeOS. What’s more, there is also a possibility of running your own Linux VM on your Chromebook (a more advanced option), so your app library isn’t as limited as you might think.
These traits make Chromebooks extremely popular for education, as they do not cost much and allow students to access the most important tools they’ll need – such as word processors and an internet connection. They are also superb for work, because fewer distractions means more productivity.
Why you should use ChromeOS Flex
Even though ChromeOS is so popular amongst students, you can use a Chromebook as your only laptop. Let’s explore the most important strengths:
Accessibility
ChromeOS Flex is free to download and install, and regular Chromebooks are much cheaper than their Mac or Windows counterparts. If you’re making your own Chromebook out of an older laptop, the system requirements aren’t that high: you can find them on Google’s website. Therefore, it is a great starting point: you get to use a laptop, without all the headaches (such as viruses or pesky updates) that come with the competition.
Ease of use
The previous point connects with the ease of use of a Chromebook. Its UI is based on a Chrome browser, which means that to use almost every basic feature of this OS you just need to operate within one app – that is a joy to learn. What’s more, you have a built-in antivirus and a constant connection to your Google account. This means having all your Google Drive files and Google Photos pics right where you need them.
It’s eco-friendly
Turning your old laptop into a ChromeOS Flex machine is also a great way to stay eco-friendly. Throwing out an old device and buying a new one always has environmental consequences. The new device has to be produced, while the old one has to be recycled, and both of these take time, effort and resources. Meanwhile, if your old device is just a bit slow, you can breathe new life into it, make it new again and keep using it for a few more years. It saves you money, and it saves the environment a little bit at a time.
It’s surprisingly versatile
Don’t get me wrong, ChromeOS is limited. however, it isn’t as limited as you might think. Of course, you can do everything that you’d do in your browser there, but that’s not all. For some time now, Chromebooks can also run Linux apps inside a built-in Virtual Machine – that means you can also run any compatible app that is available for Linux here, making the app library much bigger.
However, that is not all – and not even the biggest news. On ChromeOS, you can also run Android apps, which makes it a great portable machine for all your app needs. However, there is a catch – this feature does not yet work in ChromeOS Flex. So far, if you need to run Android apps, only first-party Chromebooks can do that.
It’s really quick and light
ChromeOS’s biggest advantage are the spec requirements. While still accessible – unlike many Linux distros – it remains very lightweight and requires much less processing power from your PC. This means that not only will it run much faster on the same machine, compared to MacOS or Windows, but it’ll also have some other consequences.
The most noticeable is battery life. When your laptop’s components don’t have to run full speed all the time, they sip battery. It means that you could free yourself from the charger once again and start using your laptop away from the socket for much longer.
What are the drawbacks of ChromeOS Flex?
It has to be said that it’s not all sunshine and rainbows in Chromebook land. There are some drawbacks that you’ll need to consider when choosing this route.
Chromebooks are not as feature-rich
Even though ChromeOS and Chromebook have come a long way, they are still not as feature-rich as Windows and Mac devices. Quite often you’ll find that some more specific apps are not available, or that Chromebooks offer only their substitutes. If you have very specific needs when it comes to applications that you’ll be using, you should check their availability first before committing to switching to ChromeOS.
It has to be also said that Chromebooks are not as powerful as other machines. This is because they do not need to – they are basic study and work machines, so their specs fit these purposes. The same goes for your ChromeOS Flex device – it’ll still be your old machine with its old power, it’s just that the OS needs much less processing power than other major systems.
Chromebooks are dependant on an internet connection
It also has to be said that Chromebooks are very dependant on your internet connection. It’s a browser-based OS, which means that most of what you’re doing will be done online. Of course there is an offline mode, but it’s extremely basic and limiting. Therefore, if you want to use a ChromeOS Flex device, make sure you’ll always be able to connect it to the internet.
Chromebook are not good for gaming
There is one more field, where ChromeOS Flex really lags behind – gaming. Nowadays you can use GeForce Now to play online, but aside from that, your possibilities are rather limited. Linux gaming is making progress, but it’s still in a much worse shape than Windows or even MacOS, and even if you find a game that runs – most ChromeOS devices are a bit underpowered to handle even older titles.
ChromeOS Flex does not work with every laptop
The biggest caveat with ChromeOS Flex specifically is its compatibility – it’s patchy. Sure, you can download that system for free and try it out wherever you want, but it is not guaranteed to work fully – or at all – on every laptop or desktop you throw it on.
Google has created a compatibility chart and a list of certified models, which are sure to work well with the system. The company even provides them with the date up to which they will for sure be fully supported. however, the machines not on the list might not be so lucky and encounter some problems. These range from missing features (for example not working Bluetooth or touchscreen) to being completely unusable.
In general, MacBooks are your best bet – ChromeOS Flex was developed for educational MacBooks at the beginning, so most of their features will probably work. Outside of that, it’s best if you first check the compatibility list and maybe search for your exact model’s compatibility with the system online – it might be worth spending a few minutes on research before committing to the system.
Fortunately, you can also just try it on your own, as ChromeOS Flex can be booted straight from your USB stick – you don’t even need to install it to check it out. So you could boot the OS from your pendrive, check whether you like it and if everything works, and decide once you’re satisfied with your findings.
How to install ChromeOS Flex
Once you’ve decided to go ahead with ChromeOS Flex, this is how to install this system on your machine. Don’t worry, the process is rather straightforward and should be really easy to follow, even if there are quite a few steps to it. Here’s how to install ChromeOS Flex on your machine:
Head to Chrome Web Store and search for Chromebook Recovery Utility
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First, you’ll need to open the Chrome web browser. It can be on any device: it doesn’t have to be the laptop you’re going to install ChromeOS Flex on. Head to Chrome Web Store (search for it) and then search the Store for Chromebook Recovery Utility. Open it and click the Add to Chrome button. Or you can use this link.
Install and open the extension
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Once you agree to install this extension, Google Chrome will add it to the extensions bar. You’ll see its icon either next to your pinned extensions or in the puzzle-piece icon next to them. Simply click the extension to open the app.
Open the Chromebook Recovery Utility
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Open the Chromebook Recovery Utility. Once it opens, you’ll need to insert your USB stick (it has to be at least 8GB and I strongly recommend a USB 3.0 drive). Then, click Get Started
Identify your Chromebook
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The app will ask you for a model of your Chromebook, which we explain in the next step.
Identify your Chromebook as ChromeOS Flex
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Now, two windows will pop up with a brand and a model of your laptop. In the upper list, you have to choose Google ChromeOS Flex and your brand. In the lower, choose ChromeOS Flex as your model. Once done, click Continue.
Select your bootable USB drive
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Once you’ve done that, you should be taken to another screen where you’ll have to select your USB stick to download ChromeOS Flex. Select your chosen drive from the list and click Continue.
Make sure the USB stick doesn’t have any files on it that you want to keep, because everything on it will be deleted.
Confirm your selection
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This next window is a confirmation step. Check whether you’re sure you want to erase your USB stick and that you’ve selected the correct drive. Once you’re sure, click Create now.
Recovery image creation
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Now, you’ll have to wait a few minutes for the utility to download and create your bootable USB. It shouldn’t take too long.
USB is ready
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Once it’s done, you can safely remove your USB stick and move on to your soon-to-be Chromebook. If you want to erase the recovery media later, you should click on the cog icon in the utility and choose the relevant option.
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The first thing to do on your laptop would be to insert the created USB drive into the USB slot. If you have a USB 3.0 port (or faster) and your USB stick is also USB 3.0, remember to insert it into that port because you’ll want this process to go as fast as possible.
Then, enter the boot menu of your device. On MacOS, this means powering off the device, and then power it on while holding the Option key. Release the key once the above menu appears. On Windows, you can left-click on the Restart option in the Start menu while holding down the Shift key to access the Boot Options menu.
Once there, choose to boot from your USB device. It’ll probably be called EFI Boot.
ChromeOS Flex boot
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If everything has gone to plan so far, you’ll be welcomed by this boot screen for ChromeOS. Don’t panic if it stays there a while as this first boot might take a while.
Decide whether you want a voice assistant for the installation process
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ChromeOS Flex will now ask you whether you want a voice assistant to guide you through the installation process. Make your choice and click continue.
Start with the setup
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Now you’ll be able to change the language of your installation process and turn on any accessibility options you might need. Once you’re ready, click on Get started.
Choose whether to install ChromeOS Flex or to boot from USB first
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Now, there is an important decision to make here. The installer will ask you whether you want to install the OS right away or to try it out first, without installing it on your internal drive. The second option is great if you just want to have a feel of this new system. It runs straight from the USB stick, so nothing on the laptop gets overwritten. In this guide, we’ll choose this option first, and then install ChromeOS Flex after the initial setup. If you don’t want to do that and prefer to install the OS now, continue to Step 27.
Connect to your network
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Next, you’ll have to connect to the internet to finish the process. Choose your network, enter the password and carry on.
NOTE: Already here you might find that your mouse or keyboard does not work, or it might not be possible to connect to Wi-Fi. As mentioned, this might happen if your laptop is not compatible with the OS. If it happens, you’re out of luck and need to turn off the laptop, take out your USB stick and carry on with your old OS! Sorry about that.
Check for updates
Sometimes, the installer might be a version or two behind the official release. At this point, it’ll download all the necessary updates, so you have the newest version possible available once you’re done setting up.
Set up the device for you or a child
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Now you’ll be able to choose whether you’re setting up the device for yourself, or for your child. The child version is a bit more locked-down and has quite a few parental controls settings. For this guide, we’ll be using the adult setup option.
Add your Google Account
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Now it’s time to add your Google Account to the system. It’ll enable you to access all the data stored in the cloud, as well as connect with all the Google services that you know from Chrome browser or Android phones.
Sign in to the account
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The installer will ask you to sign in to your account. Provide your email. password and two-factor authentication and continue.
Review and accept Terms and Conditions
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After connecting your Google Account, it’s time to accept some terms and conditions. The first is about your usage data – you can choose whether to provide it to Google. Choose what you will and click Accept and continue.
Review sync options on your Chromebook
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The installer will tell you about sync options on your Chromebook. You might either accept them all or check the checkbox to review them after the setup. If you’ve never had a Chromebook, choose the latter.
Hardware data collection agreement
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The next page asks you to be able to collect your hardware data for development. You can either agree or not, and carry on with the setup.
Choose your theme
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Next, the setup will ask you to choose a colour theme – Light, Dark or Auto. Do that and click on Next once you’ve decided.
Your first ChromeOS Flex login screen
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After this setup, you’ll be welcomed by your first ChromeOS Flex login screen. Type in your Google Account password and you are just one step away from your new home screen.
Homescreen ready
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And that’s it! You’re now running ChromeOS Flex straight from your USB stick. It’s now time to check out every necessary function of the OS – remember about your inputs, your camera, speakers and mic. The camera is the feature that does not work most of the time in ChromeOS Flex – that is also the case for my model. However, all the other features work great.
Now, if you like the experience of ChromeOS and want to make it your only system on your laptop, there are only a few more steps to follow. If you don’t, simply shut down the PC, remove the USB stick, and voila – it’s back to your normal Windows or Mac experience.
Install ChromeOS Flex
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If you want to install ChromeOS now, the journey starts at your login screen. If you’re on the home screen, in the menu simply click on sign out. Once there, on the bottom panel, you’ll find Install ChromeOS Flex option. Click on it and the installation process will start.
Continue with the install
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You’ll now have to confirm that you know the risks of this installation process. Also remember, that you won’t have the opportunity to choose which drive ChromeOS uses. It wll erase all of them if you have more than one on your laptop. So, be sure to back up any data from the laptop you want to keep. If you didn’t do that already, you’ll need to stop the process, make the backup and then re-start this whole process. We did warn you at the start! Now, click Install ChromeOS Flex.
Confirm the installation
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Now is your last chance to back down. If you click Install here, the process will begin and your drives will be erased. Confirm that you’re sure and click Install.
Installing the OS
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Now the OS will install. The utility might take a couple of minutes, it depends on your hardware. Just wait patiently for it to finish.
Installation complete!
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After the installation, you’ll be greeted with this screen. Your laptop will count down a minute and turn off. Once it does, unplug your USB drive and power it back on.
Setup process (again)
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Once back on, your new Chromebook will have to be set up again – just follow steps 12-24 (again if you opted to try out ChromeOS the first time round) to do that. Once you’re done, congratulations! You can start using your laptop again, hopefully much more responsive and quick.