How you can flip an previous laptop computer right into a Chromebook

In case your previous laptop computer is on life help or accumulating mud on a closet shelf, give it new life by changing it right into a Chromebook.

Changing your previous laptop computer right into a Chromebook offers numerous benefits, corresponding to ChromeOS’ light-weight working system that runs web-based functions (good day, Google Suite!) and cloud providers flawlessly whereas saving you a reasonably penny (you received’t should buy a brand new laptop computer).

Maintain studying to be taught extra about turning your laptop computer right into a Chromebook, together with why you must do it, what you’ll want, and a step-by-step information to changing your previous pocket book utilizing Chrome OS Flex.

Why convert your previous laptop computer right into a Chromebook?

Repurpose your growing older gadget with Google’s light-weight working system

Changing your previous laptop computer right into a Chromebook can improve safety (e.g., sand boxing), prolong battery life, and, most significantly, enhance velocity and effectivity by stripping away memory-consuming processes and changing them with light-weight OSes specializing in web-based functions.

Moreover, customers who depend on Google’s ecosystem of apps, corresponding to Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides, or who make purchases by means of the Google Play Retailer, will profit essentially the most from converting an old laptop to a Chromebook.

What do I must convert my previous laptop computer right into a Chromebook?

It is vital to make sure you have the right settings chosen

To transform your previous laptop computer right into a Chromebook, you’ll want:

A 4GB+ USB drive

An web connection

A knowledge backup supply/exterior exhausting drive

Chrome OS Flex

Obtain Chrome OS Flex

After which set up ChromeOS in your historic laptop computer

Step one is replicating Chrome OS in your previous laptop computer by downloading Chrome OS Flex. To obtain Chrome OS Flex. go to the the Chrome OS Flex obtain web page on the Chrome Net Retailer.

An alternative choice is Chromium OS, ChromeOS’s open-source basis, which makes use of the identical construction and code base, permitting better flexibility in working web-based functions on modest {hardware}. Nevertheless, most will probably be higher served by downloading the easier Chrome OS Flex.

Backup important knowledge

25,000 photos, music recordsdata, and movies cannot go to waste

When you verify that your laptop computer meets the necessities and earlier than or after you’ve got downloaded Chrome OS Flex, the following step is to avoid wasting all crucial recordsdata out of your laptop computer to an exterior exhausting drive. An incorrect set up of Chrome OS Flex can immediately wipe out your recordsdata.

Put together a USB drive with the Chrome OS Flex installer

Beginning with Chrome OS Flex

1. After backing up your knowledge, set up Chrome OS Flex by making a bootable USB drive. This can change the working system in your laptop computer.
2. To arrange the USB drive, insert it into your laptop computer, go to the Chrome Net Retailer, and seek for the Chromebook Restoration Utility extension.
3. After downloading and opening the Chromebook Restoration Utility extension, obtain Chrome OS Flex.
4. Open the Chromebook Restoration Utility, observe the “Get Began” prompts, and select “Choose a mannequin from a listing.” Set “Google Chrome OS Flex” because the producer and “Chrome OS Flex” because the product. Comply with the on-screen directions to obtain the required recordsdata to create the bootable installer.
5. Choose the USB drive the place you wish to obtain Chrome OS Flex, then click on “Create Now.”

One more reason for getting ready the USB drive is to make sure system compatibility. Making a bootable USB drive means that you can verify Chrome OS Flex compatibility earlier than putting in, an absolute should earlier than erasing your present working system.

Boot utilizing your USB drive

USB drive to the rescue

When you’ve downloaded Chrome OS Flex and created the bootable USB installer, insert the USB drive into your previous laptop computer and restart it.

1. Should you’re on a Home windows laptop computer, press F2, F12, ESC, or DEL throughout startup.
2. Should you’re on a Mac, maintain down the Possibility key throughout startup.
3. As soon as the boot menu seems, choose the USB drive and press Enter.

Set up Chrome OS Flex

The ultimate step

1. To start out the set up, preserve the bootable USB drive in your laptop computer and restart it.
2. From the boot menu, choose the USB drive because the boot supply, then transfer on to “Set up Chrome OS Flex.”
3. Comply with the on-screen prompts to set your language, go surfing to your most popular Wi-Fi community, and supply different particulars. You’ll be requested to erase your previous working system, so again up your knowledge beforehand!
4. As soon as the set up is accomplished, end all of the steps from the Chrome OS Flex setup display screen, and also you’re able to go.

Run Chrome OS Flex

Lightning quick working system boot

1. When you’ve launched your USB drive, you’ll have the choice to “Attempt Chrome OS Flex” or “Set up Chrome OS Flex.” We extremely advocate selecting the previous to substantiate your previous laptop computer is totally appropriate with Chrome OS Flex.
2. To check-drive Chrome OS Flex in your previous laptop computer, run it for a minimum of an hour to make sure efficiency and the person interface meet your expectations. Take note of your laptop computer’s performance (e.g., keyboard, trackpad, and Wi-Fi connection) and examine if peripheral gadgets like exterior exhausting drives and screens work correctly.
3. Right here, you may discover varied Chrome OS Flex settings or use your Google account to check Sheets, extensions, and extra.

FAQ

Q: Can any previous laptop computer be transformed right into a Chromebook?

Most laptops will be transformed into Chromebooks, however not all. Be sure that your specs are satisfactory for conversion. The perfect follow is to have a minimum of 4GB of RAM, 16GB of storage, and a powerful web connection. Older fashions might have restricted {hardware}, making them unable to run Chrome OS Flex, so it’s important to carry out this examine earlier than putting in.

Q: How do I again up my knowledge earlier than changing my laptop computer to a Chromebook?

Backing up your knowledge earlier than changing your laptop computer to a Chromebook is simple. There are two methods to do it: by way of cloud storage providers like Dropbox or an exterior exhausting drive. Merely join your exterior exhausting drive or cloud storage account to your laptop computer and switch your recordsdata securely. The period of time it takes to again up your knowledge is determined by the quantity of information. It could take a number of minutes or a number of hours.

Q: What ought to I do if my previous laptop computer doesn’t boot from the drive after making a bootable installer?

In case your previous laptop computer doesn’t boot from the drive after making a bootable installer, examine your boot order in BIOS or UEFI settings to make sure the USB can boot up your laptop. To entry BIOS or UEFI settings, restart your laptop computer and press F2, F12, ESC, or DEL throughout startup. Should you proceed to expertise points, strive utilizing a unique USB drive or recreate the bootable installer.