How to Install Chrome OS Flex: Make an Old PC New Again

In this step-by-step tutorial, learn how to install Google Chrome OS Flex on your old laptop or desktop PC. Flex is a distribution of Chrome OS that can be installed on conventional PC hardware to replace other operating systems such as Windows. It's a Linux based operating system that uses a web browser as its main user interface. Since most of the applications are web based, it works really well even on older computers.

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⌚ Timestamps
0:00 Introduction
0:29 What is Chrome OS Flex?
1:19 How to get it & min system requirements
1:58 Create USB installer
3:04 Remove installation media
3:30 Boot from installation media
4:09 Try it first or install Flex
4:52 Wrap up

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#stratvert

[KevinStratvert]

For the install, you have two options: (1) You can "Try it out first", which allows you to evaluate Chrome OS Flex. This does not affect your existing operating system or files. (2) You can also install CloudReady, which installs Chrome OS Flex. This will erase any existing files and operating system on your hard drive. If you decide to install, make sure that you have backed up any critical files that you want to keep.

[somewhereinchina]

Dear Kevin,
I hope you get to read this message. I'm 52 years old nd a lady at that. I followed your instructions to the Tee and I have an old new laptop! Thanks a million. It is working like a charm and my husband couldn't believe his eyes!!!!

[srowley]

Even in this day and age, I still run across people who are in need of a computer for internet access. This offers another reasonable option for repurposing older equipment that could then be donated to someone in need. I think the Chrome OS is more intuitive and less daunting than many flavors of Linux, so I’m glad to see this option become available.

[tubedataworkshop]

This is an excellent option for when you have an old laptop laying around which has not been touched in a few years and you want to use it again! Great video, Kevin! This video is worth saving!

[haywiremechanic]

Clear and easy to follow instructions without a bunch of useless fluff. Thanks, Kevin.

[_w_w_]

It's really should be called "making a Windows PC useful again..."

[philipossowski]

Thanks Kevin, I used your video to repurpose 2 of my old laptops, one which was still running Windows 7, into functional machines that now serve as home school work stations for my grandchildren.

[edwardgiorgio]

Thank you for all your information. I had two old laptops collecting dust. With your help I was able to get them up and running with the usb drive you showed me how to create.

[williamfame]

This OS really made my old computer much faster and stable than before, thanks for sharing this knowledge.

[vishalchandanshiv]

This is called luck - yesterday I am finding this option on youtube and today my favourite YouTube host upload the video of this one 😊☺️

[iandawkins]

Could this be installed as a dual boot option with Windows, if so a video would be a real winner. Thanks for your content I have learned so much from you.

[peterchancal]

Kevin, you'd missed out a major point. Your old notebook or computer has to support EUFI instead of CHS for hard drive.

[reemasingh]

Thanks for sharing this info about Google Chrome OD Flex, I have installed and am happy with the interface. Looking forward to the best.

[ihabmidhat]

thank you Kevin,
I tell you I learned so much from you.
data base, a little html, and more.
for an old guy who never was a tech buff, I am truly thankful for your time and your teaching talent.
Your my side teacher as I navigate my learning goals.
keep up the good work.

[Green_House]

Downloaded, installed and worked just like you said! 🙂 Many thanks!!!
The only additional thing I did was to swap the original HDD with a spare one I had before installing Flex.
This will make going back to Windows 10 a snap - that is if I decide to. 🤔

[stev_k_ontheTube]

My man! Seems like every time I turn to YT for a "How-To" video, my man Kevin has what I need!👍😎👍

[shuttlepodone]

Smart move by Google! I installed Chrome Flex on one of my old laptops with a spinning hard drive and 4GB of RAM. It made the laptop new again and is surprisingly fast even on boot up. I had been running Ubuntu on it but that was getting slow. Before Ubuntu Windows 10 was about a 10 minute log on and updates took forever.

[CheamCreese]

Since you specifically mentioned that app stores aren't available, it would probably have been a good idea to briefly mention what you can actually do with Chrome OS Flex once it is installed. What apps come with it, in other words?

[DanielVanZant]

Excellent tutorial. Very clear and easy to follow. I'm not 100% sure Kevin is not a bot. Are you a tutorial bot? Great Job!

[uwu_unknown]

dude honestly the nicest thing you put in the video was what key to use to get to bios depending on the brand seriously thank you so much