How-To Guides

How to Get Windows on Chromebook(Easy Method)

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Installing Windows on a Chromebook can be quite challenging and may void your warranty. It involves modifying the Chromebook’s firmware, which could potentially damage your device. Before proceeding, make sure to back up any important data. Here’s a step-by-step guide for those who are determined to proceed:

Prerequisites

  1. Check Compatibility: Ensure your Chromebook’s hardware can support Windows. Not all Chromebooks are capable of running Windows effectively.
  2. Backup Data: Save all your important files to an external drive or cloud storage.
  3. Windows ISO: Download a Windows ISO file from the official Microsoft website.
  4. USB Drive: A USB drive with at least 8GB of storage to create a bootable Windows installation drive.
  5. Another Computer: A separate Windows PC to create the bootable USB drive.
  6. Firmware Utility Script: Download the firmware utility script to modify your Chromebook’s BIOS.

Steps

1. Create a Windows Bootable USB Drive

Download and Install Rufus:

  • On a Windows PC, download Rufus.
  • Open Rufus once the download is complete.

Create Bootable USB:

  • Insert your USB drive.
  • Select the Windows ISO file you downloaded.
  • Choose “GPT partition scheme for UEFI” and click “Start” to create the bootable USB drive.

2. Enable Developer Mode on Chromebook

Enter Recovery Mode:

  • Turn off your Chromebook.
  • Press and hold the Esc + Refresh keys, then press the Power button.
  • Release the keys when you see the recovery screen.

Enable Developer Mode:

  • Press Ctrl + D to enable Developer Mode.
  • Press Enter to confirm.
  • The Chromebook will reboot and begin the transition to Developer Mode, which may take some time.

3. Modify Chromebook BIOS

Open Chrome Browser:

  • Press Ctrl + Alt + T to open the Crosh terminal.
  1. Enter Shell:
  • Type shell and press Enter.

Download Firmware Utility Script:

  • Type the following command and press Enter:
    shell cd; curl -LO https://mrchromebox.tech/firmware-util.sh && sudo bash firmware-util.sh
  1. Run the Script:
  • Follow the on-screen instructions to install a compatible BIOS/UEFI firmware for Windows.

4. Install Windows

Boot from USB Drive:

  • Insert the bootable USB drive into your Chromebook.
  • Restart the Chromebook and press Esc repeatedly to enter the boot menu.
  • Select your USB drive from the list.

2. Install Windows:

  • Follow the Windows installation prompts to install Windows on your Chromebook.
  • When prompted to select a partition, delete all existing partitions and create a new one.

5. Install Drivers

Download Drivers:

  • Once Windows is installed, you may need to download and install specific drivers for your Chromebook model. These drivers can often be found through community forums or websites like the MrChromebox website.

Install Drivers:

  • Install the necessary drivers for your touchpad, Wi-Fi, and other hardware components to function properly.

Important Considerations

  • Warranty: This process may void your Chromebook’s warranty.
  • Risk: There’s a risk of bricking your Chromebook if steps are not followed correctly.
  • Support: Not all hardware components may work perfectly, and official support from Chromebook manufacturers is not available.

Read Also: How to get Roblox on Chromebook

If you are unsure or uncomfortable with any of these steps, it may be best to use a Chromebook as intended with Chrome OS or explore alternatives such as using a Windows virtual machine on a powerful Chromebook.