Chromebooks are meant to be easy to use, and that is exactly where Chrome OS shines. However, Chrome OS isn’t as functional as compared to other operating systems like Linux. So, if you are someone who loves to tinker, you may have thought about whether you could install another operating system, for example, Ubuntu, on your Chromebook. Thus, here is the way to install Linux on a Chromebook:
[ad type=”banner”]Install Ubuntu on Chromebook with Crouton:
In order to install Ubuntu on a Chromebook, you will first have to download Crouton. Crouton – an acronym for “Chromium OS Universal Chroot Environment” – is a bundle of scripts that allow the easy installation of Linux systems such as Ubuntu, and Debian. We will use Crouton to install Ubuntu on our Chromebook. Just follow the steps below:
- First, you will have to enable Developer Modein Chrome OS. You can check out our detailed article on the same.
- Once you have enabled Developer Mode on your Chromebook, downloadCrouton onto your Chromebook. It will be saved in the “Downloads” directory.
- On your Chromebook, press “Ctrl + Alt + T” to launch the Crosh Terminal. Here, type “shell“, and hitEnter.
4. You will now get access to a command line, and with the help of this command line, we’ll install Ubuntu on our Chromebook. In the Terminal, type “sudo sh ~/Downloads/crouton -e -t lxde“.
Note: Unfortunately, as of this writing, Ubuntu’s XFCE, and Unity Desktop Environments aren’t working properly on Chromebooks, which is why I would suggest that you use LXDE for the time being.
- Once that is done, you will have to wait, whileCrouton downloads Ubuntufor you, and installs it on your Chromebook. This step usually takes quite some time, so be patient.
- When the installation is finished, simply type “sudo startlxde” tostart the Linux desktop. You will be asked for theencryption passphrase you created while installing Ubuntu, just key it in, and you’re ready to go.
Switch Back to Chrome OS from Linux:
If you want to get back to Chrome OS from Ubuntu, you can simply log out of Ubuntu in the normal way, and you’ll immediately be taken back to Chrome OS.
You can restart Linux, by opening a terminal (Ctrl + Alt + T), and typing “sudo startlxde“.
You should be able to switch between Linux, and Chrome OS, on the fly, by using Ctrl + Alt + Shift + Forward, and Ctrl + Alt + Shift + Back (on ARM Chromebooks), and Ctrl + Alt + Forward, and Ctrl + Alt + Back, followed by Ctrl + Alt + Refresh (on Intel Chromebooks), but unfortunately, that didn’t work for me on LXDE on my Asus Chromebook Flip.
Linux on a Chromebook: The Experience:
Ubuntu works extremely well on a Chromebook. However, since the XFCE, and Unity Desktop Environments aren’t working, as yet, you’re stuck with using LXDE – a Desktop Environment not many people like. The main issue I saw with LXDE, is the way that in the event that you possess a touch empowered Chromebook, similar to the Asus Chromebook Flip, the touch doesn’t work typically in LXDE, and the UI is a tad too small. However, at least the latter can be fixed by adjusting the screen resolution for Linux.
Overall, though, the experience is very smooth, and everything works as one would expect. So, if you’re wondering if it’s worth the effort, it kind of is.
Install Linux on Chromebook to Unlock Its Potential:
You can use this method to easily install Linux/Ubuntu on a Chromebook, and unlock its true power. When you’re running Linux on a Chromebook, you can install Linux apps in the same way as you would install them on a normal Linux computer, by using apt-get. However, if you’re using an ARM Chromebook, some apps might not work properly for you. Chances of apps working are much better on an Chromebook with an Intel processor.
As always, we’d like to know your thoughts on installing Linux on Chromebook, and your experience with using Linux on a Chromebook.