How-To Guides

How to Install Linux on Chromebook

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Installing Linux on a Chromebook can be done using various methods. One of the most popular methods is using Crouton, which allows you to run Linux alongside Chrome OS. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you through the process:

Method 1: Using Crouton

  1. Backup Your Data: Before proceeding, make sure to back up your important data as the process can sometimes lead to data loss.
  2. Enable Developer Mode:
  • Press Esc + Refresh + Power to enter recovery mode.
  • When you see the recovery screen, press Ctrl + D.
  • Press Enter to turn off OS verification and enable Developer Mode. Your Chromebook will reboot and transition into Developer Mode. This may take a few minutes.

Download Crouton:

  • Open Chrome and go to the Crouton GitHub page.
  • Download the Crouton installer by clicking on the link next to “Download crouton”.

Open the Chrome OS Terminal (Crosh):

  • Press Ctrl + Alt + T to open the terminal.
  • Type shell and press Enter to open a full bash shell.

Install Crouton:

  • Navigate to the directory where you downloaded Crouton (usually the Downloads folder) by typing cd ~/Downloads.
  • To start the installation, type:
    bash sudo sh ~/Downloads/crouton -t xfce
  • You can replace xfce with other desktop environments like unity, gnome, or kde depending on your preference.

Complete the Installation:

  • Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation. You’ll be asked to set up a username and password for your Linux environment.

Start Your Linux Environment:

  • Once the installation is complete, you can start your Linux environment by typing:
    bash sudo startxfce4
  • Replace xfce4 with the desktop environment you chose during installation if it’s different.

Method 2: Using Linux (Beta) – Crostini

If your Chromebook supports Linux (Beta) also known as Crostini, you can enable it directly from the settings:

Open Settings:

  • Click on the clock in the bottom-right corner of your screen and then click the gear icon to open settings.

Enable Linux (Beta):

  • In the settings menu, look for “Linux (Beta)” on the left sidebar and click on it.
  • Click “Turn On” and follow the on-screen instructions to set up Linux (Beta).

Set Up Linux Environment:

  • After the installation is complete, you can open the Linux terminal from the app launcher and start installing Linux applications.

Additional Tips

  • Switching Between Environments: If you’re using Crouton, you can switch between Chrome OS and your Linux environment by using the key combination Ctrl + Alt + Shift + Back to go to Chrome OS and Ctrl + Alt + Shift + Forward to go back to Linux.
  • Updating Crouton: To update your Crouton installation, download the latest installer from the GitHub page and run the following command:
  sudo sh ~/Downloads/crouton -u -n <your-chroot-name>
  • Uninstalling Crouton: If you want to remove Crouton and return to the standard Chrome OS experience, you can disable Developer Mode by restarting your Chromebook and pressing the space bar when prompted to re-enable OS verification.

Using these methods, you can easily install and run Linux on your Chromebook, giving you access to a full Linux environment alongside Chrome OS.