ChromeOS Flex
ChromeOS Flex is an operating system maintained by Google that is based on ChromeOS. It is designed to be installed on devices that are not Chromebooks, such as on Windows computers.[1]
History
[edit ]In December 2020, Google purchased Neverware, developer of Cloudready, a version of ChromiumOS designed to run on Windows and MacOS hardware.[2] [3]
On February 15, 2022, Google announced "early access" to the ChromeOS Flex operating system. Google claims that the operating system is intended for older computers that may not properly run their current OS, and that the solution will eliminate the need for users to buy new hardware.[4]
In July 2022, Google officially launched the operating system. The blog post by them explains how Nordic Choice Hotels chose to switch to ChromeOS Flex after a ransomware attack.[5]
Installation
[edit ]Google offers a list of supported devices on their support site.[6] Unsupported devices may not guarantee stability. The user will need a USB flash drive, a computer to create the installation media, and the computer to install the operating system on.[7]
System requirements
[edit ]Although Google offers a list of supported devices, they offer a general system requirements list. The minimum system requirements for ChromeOS Flex are:[7] [8]
- USB Flash Drive with a minimum of 8GB of storage
- x86-64 processor from either Intel or AMD
- Minimum of 4GB system memory (RAM)
- Minimum of 16GB of internal storage, e.g. 120GB SSD
- ^ This is only so that the boot order can be changed in the BIOS/UEFI to be selected that the external storage boots first, not the internal storage.
Process
[edit ]The user can use either the Chromebook Recovery Utility extension available from the Chrome Web Store, or download the installer image directly.[9] After preparing the installation media, the user will then need to boot the machine from the USB flash drive.[10] After booting into the installer, the user can try out the operating system before installation, and/or install it onto the machine directly. The user would follow the on-screen instructions of the installer, noting that all data on the device will be erased during the installation.[11] After installation, the user can set up device management on the devices.[12]
Usage and functionality
[edit ]ChromeOS Flex shares much of the same features as ChromeOS. However, there are some differences between the two. For example, there are some security differences, especially with hardware, lack of Google Play and Android app support, and differences in guarantees of performance and stability.[13]
References
[edit ]- ^ "ChromeOS Flex: Our Cloud-Based Operating System - ChromeOS". chromeos.google. Retrieved 2025年04月19日.
- ^ "Google acquires Neverware bringing official support to Cloudready OS". Chrome Unboxed - The Latest Chrome OS News. 2020年12月15日. Retrieved 2025年04月19日.
- ^ Salter, Jim (2020年12月16日). "Google bought CloudReady, the largest ChromiumOS distribution". Ars Technica. Retrieved 2025年04月19日.
- ^ Harding, Scharon (2022年02月15日). "Google turns old Macs, PCs into Chromebooks with Chrome OS Flex". Ars Technica. Retrieved 2025年04月19日.
- ^ "Google Formally Launches ChromeOS Flex; Says Almost 300 Devices Certified". Sixteen:Nine. 2022年07月15日. Retrieved 2025年04月19日.
- ^ "Certified models list". ChromeOS Flex Help. Retrieved 2025年04月19日.
- ^ a b "Prepare for installation - ChromeOS Flex Help". support.google.com. Archived from the original on 2025年04月03日. Retrieved 2025年04月19日.
- ^ "Your Windows 10 PC isn't dead yet - this OS from Google can revive it". ZDNET. Retrieved 2025年04月19日.
- ^ "1. Create the USB installer". ChromeOS Flex Help. Retrieved 2025年04月19日.
- ^ "2. Boot device using the USB installer". ChromeOS Flex Help. Retrieved 2025年04月19日.
- ^ "3. Start using ChromeOS Flex". ChromeOS Flex Help. Retrieved 2025年04月19日.
- ^ "4. Set up device management for your organization". ChromeOS Flex Help. Retrieved 2025年04月19日.
- ^ "Differences between ChromeOS Flex and ChromeOS - ChromeOS Flex Help". support.google.com. Archived from the original on 2025年04月02日. Retrieved 2025年04月19日.