RELATED: How to Install Chrome OS from a USB Drive and Run It on Any PC Option Four: Keep Using It Normally If your older Chromebook only has 16 GB of storage, you’ll need to borrow another machine with more space to make the USB installation drive. One important thing to consider is that you’ll need at least 8 GB of free space on your Chromebook to unpack the CloudReady OS before writing it to a USB drive. Even better, it’ll look and feel just like Chrome OS, while still getting security updates and some new features.

RELATED: How to Install Ubuntu Linux on Your Chromebook with Crouton Option Three: Install CloudReady by NeverwareĬloudReady is an operating system developed by Neverware, and it’s mainly used to run Chromium OS on older Windows computers.

There are a few problems you may run into with installing other versions of Linux, but overall, it’s a great way to give your Chromebook a new life.

It also means that users can install Ubuntu and other Linux distributions. RELATED: The Best Chromebooks You Can Buy, 2018 Edition Option Two: Install Other Linux DistributionsĬhrome OS is built on top of the Linux kernel, which is why newer models can install Linux applications. Of course, you can keep using the new Chromebook as a simple web browser, but newer models give you a few more productivity options. In addition to getting security updates for the next several years, you’ll also make a big leap when it comes to processing power, memory, and battery life, meaning your new Chromebook will be more enjoyable to use.Ĭhromebooks made in the past two years also have access to Android applications through the Google Play Store, as well as Linux applications. This one’s a bit obvious, but it’s worth stating: when your current Chromebook stops getting updates, the best thing you can probably do is buy a newer device.

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