Installing Linux on a Chromebook will allow you to access and use Linux with programs that are not yet available on Chrome OS. On the Chromebook, you can install Linux using a tool called Crouton, which will allow you to run Linux on Chrome and switch between the two operating systems at any time.
Steps
Step 1. Check if all your local data has been saved to Google Drive or some other form of storage like USB drive
Installing Linux on a Chromebook will erase all your local data.
Step 2. Press and hold the esc key and the refresh key and then press the power button
Your Chromebook will restart and enter recovery mode.
Step 3. Press Ctrl + D when the yellow exclamation mark appears on the screen
A dialog box will appear on the screen asking you to confirm your wish to enter developer mode.
Step 4. Press Enter to confirm that you want to enter developer mode
For about 15 minutes, your Chromebook will erase all your local data and enter developer mode.
Step 5. Wait for your Chromebook to completely restart in Chrome OS
Upon restarting, a warning will appear on the screen informing you that Chrome OS is missing or damaged, but this is normal when the device enters developer mode.
Step 6. Download Crouton on goo
gl / fd3zc and check if the file is saved in your folder Downloads . Crouton is the name of the tool you will need to install Linux on your Chromebook.
- Alternatively, you can visit the official Crouton website at https://github.com/dnschneid/crouton and click on the link to the right of the option Chromium OS Universal Chroot Environment.
Step 7. Press the Ctrl + alt = "Image" + T keys
This command will bring up the terminal on your Chromebook.
Step 8. Type shell in the terminal and press Enter.
Step 9. Type sudo sh -e ~ / Downloads / crouton -t xfce in the terminal then press Enter.
This command will install the Crouton app.
- Type sudo sh -e ~ / Downloads / crouton -t touch, xfce if you are installing Linux on a Pixel Chromebook.
Step 10. Wait for Crouton to install completely on your Chromebook
The installation process can take several minutes, and will prompt you to enter a Linux username and password.
Step 11. Enter a username and password for your Linux OS
Step 12. Type sudo startxfce4 in the terminal to start Linux on your desktop
You will be prompted to type this command in the terminal, if you want to use Linux when starting the Chromebook in Chrome OS.
Advice
- Quit Linux at any time by logging out as you normally would on a Windows computer. Linux will shut down and your Chromebook will run Chrome OS.
- On a Chromebook, Linux OS will work alongside Chrome OS, so you can switch between them at any time. To switch between Linux and Chrome, press Ctrl + alt = "Image" + Shift + Back arrow and Ctrl + alt = "Image" + Shift + Forward arrow Where Ctrl + alt = "Image" + Back arrow and Ctrl + alt = "Image" + Forward arrow, if you are using an Intel Chromebook.
- Create recovery media for your Chromebook before installing Linux in case you experience difficulty or software malfunction during the installation process. You can use the recovery media at any time to restore your Chromebook to its factory settings.
- Install the Linux programs on your Chromebook using the apt-get command in the terminal. For example, if you want to download Firefox for Linux, type sudo apt-get install firefox in the terminal to install the Firefox browser.