How to Run Linux on Your Chromebook in 2023

Dec. 24, 2019

Which Chromebooks Can Run Linux?

Other than that, you don’t have to move your Chromebook to Developer mode or any other channel. Linux support isalready present in the stable channel. Also, you can install Linux on ARM-based Chromebooks too so no worries on this front.

1. First off, open the Settings page byclicking on the cogwheel iconin the Quick Settings panel.

2. Next, click on “Advanced” in the left pane and expand the menu. After that, click on “Developers”. If you have a school-issued Chromebook and the “Developers” menu is not available then contact your school administrator.

3. Once you are in the Developers menu, click on “Turn on” next to the “Linux development environment (Beta)” section.

4. A setup dialog will open up. Now,click on the “Install” buttonand proceed ahead to run Linux on your Chromebook.

5. On the next page, enter your desired username for Linux and select “Customised” to choosehow much disk spaceyou want for Linux. I have total internal storage of 64GB so I have allotted 25GB. If you have a larger storage capacity and want to play games or develop programs on Linux, you should extend the storage even further.

6. It willtake a few minutesto install Linux on your Chromebook. After the installation is done, you can run Linux and start using the Linux Terminal on your Chromebook. You will find the Terminal app inside the launcher.

7. Before using Linux apps on a Chromebook, you should firstupdate the Linux buildto the latest version. As a good Linux practice, you should execute the below command in the Terminal as it will update all packages and dependencies. Just copy and paste the command in the Terminal window.

8. Once Linux is updated on your Chromebook, you can go ahead and install an app. For example, we installed the GIMP image editor on our Chromebook and the installation went through without a hitch. To find more such apps, you can follow our list of thebest Linux apps for Chromebooks. We have included detailed instructions for installation. Post-installation, you will find Linux apps inside the launcher.

9. Now that you have successfully run Linux on your Chromebook, you must know that Chrome OS and Linux have different file systems. So toaccess the local folders and files on Linux apps, you will have to move the files from Downloads to the “Linux files” section.

10. In case, youdon’t want to move the filesto the Linux section all the time then right-click on “Downloads” and click on “Share with Linux”. Now, all files and folders under “Downloads” will be available to Linux apps.

11. You canaccess Downloadsfrom the below path directory. You can right-click on “Downloads” to add to the bookmark section. From now onwards, within Linux apps, you don’t have to manually navigate to the Downloads folder.

12. You can also set up Wine torun Windows 10 apps on your Chromebook.

13. In addition, you caninstall Steam on your Chromebook,play Minecraft in Chrome OS, and do a lot more, all thanks to Linux support on Chrome OS.

Passionate about Windows, ChromeOS, Android, security and privacy issues. Have a penchant to solve everyday computing problems.