Install Chromebook recovery utility from the Chrome web store. Once you have taken the backup on an external drive, it’s time to create a recovery image of your operating system to restore it if something goes wrong or if you want to go back to the stock Chromebook experience. However, if you have files on a local ‘Download’ folder, then you must take a backup as the next step will wipe everything from your Chromebook. Chromebooks keep all data and files on Google servers, so you don’t have to worry about taking a backup of your files as you have to do on other operating systems. I tested it on my ASUS Chromebook Flip, and it worked great. Preparing your Chromebook for CroutonĬrouton is supported on a wide range of Chromebooks. What if you can get the best of both worlds? What if you can run a pure Linux distribution and Chrome OS, side by side, without dual booting? But wiping Chrome OS and installing a desktop Linux on it would mean losing access to millions of Android apps and games. So, you need what I call a “legacy” Linux desktop on your Chromebook.

What if I want to download Ubuntu or openSUSE and create a bootable USB drive? As much as Chrome OS is a Linux-based desktop, it does lack some features. For example, there is no way to even download Creative Commons YouTube videos on Chromebook. I need tools.Īdditionally, Chrome OS, as a result of being a Google product, has some restrictions. At the same time, I also manage my Linux systems and a file server at home. For example, I run my own servers and manage them remotely.

However, if you are a Linux user, you may need many utilities and tools to get the job done.

With the arrival of Android apps to the platform, Chromebooks have become an ideal platform for a very large user-base, and Chrome OS is a very important piece of technology in the current consumer space. Chromebooks are steadily gaining market share.

How to install linux on a chromebook