A PC or laptop is only good enough until its last software support date. Whether it’s a device that is maxed out or an entry-level device, all of them are subject to losing out on software support. There is, however, a new operating system in town that is here to refresh the life of your old hardware. Whether they are 10-year-old laptops or desktops, Google’s ChromeOS Flex is here to breathe new life into them. Now that the stable version of the OS has been released, let’s take a look at how to install ChromeOS Flex on your old system.
Google ChromeOS Flex is not to be confused with ChromeOS. There are differences between the operating systems. ChromeOS Flex is designed to be run on older hardware including Chromebooks that are no longer supported. But with ChromeOS Flex, you will not be able to install Android applications and a ton of apps are all web-based. This is done so that the user has a smooth experience as well as always stays protected with updates against any form of attack.
Download and Install ChromeOS Flex on PC
Before we take a look at how to get the OS and install it on your device, it is advisable to check the list of devices that are supported by Google’s ChromeOS Flex. There are about 400+ devices out there that can install ChromeOS Flex. You can check out the entire list over here.
Step 1: Download ChromeOS Flex
Now, let’s take a look at how you can download the all-new stable version of ChromeOS Flex on your PC. You will need a few things in order to create a bootable USB drive for ChromeOS Flex.
- 8 GB USB Drive
- Google Chrome Web browser
- Chromebook Recovery Utility extension
Here are the steps that you need to follow to create the bootable ChromeOS Flex USB drive.
- Download the Google Chrome web browser on your PC if you do not have it.
- Now, you need to open the Chrome Webstore and search for the extension called Chromebook Recovery Utility.
- Once you have the extension installed, plug the USB drive into your PC.
- Launch the Chromebook Recovery Utility extension and click on Get Started.
- You will be asked to select the brand of your system as well as the model number. If you do not find your brand or model number, simply choose Google Chrome OS Flex for both options.
- Click on continue, and it will detect your USB drive. Select your USB Drive and click on Continue.
- The utility will now create the bootable USB Drive. It can take a few minutes to get the work done.
- Once completed, it will display that the recovery media has been created.
Step 2: Installing ChromeOS Flex
With your ChromeOS flex bootable drive ready, it is now time to install it onto your old PC. This is a simple and easy process. If you are using a laptop, please ensure that your device is plugged into its power source.
- Plug the bootable drive into the PC that you wish to install ChromeOS Flex on. Ensure that the system is switched off.
- Now, power up the system and press the function key that brings up the boot manager of your system. Different systems have different keys.
- Once you are in the boot manager of your system, select the USB drive that has the ChromeOS Flex installation media.
- The system should now reboot and boot from the USB drive with ChromeOS Flex.
- You can choose to try out the OS or install it on your hard drive on your system.
- The setup screen will now be displayed. It will ask you to connect it to the internet using either an Ethernet connection or Wi-Fi network.
- Agree to the terms and conditions that come with using the software.
- Now sign in with your Google account.
- That’s all, you will now be able to use the new ChromeOS Flex.
And this is how you can install the stable version of ChromeOS Flex onto your older PC or laptop. The OS is great for those who simply want to use a device to browse the internet, use some social media and watch or stream TV shows and movies. Since it’s lightweight, you will not have any issues. Yes, you will not be able to install Android apps onto your system and enjoy all the other cool stuff that you get on ChromeOS, but it’s fine. If you are someone that is planning to revive a really old PC or laptop, ChromeOS Flex, is simply the right choice.
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