Lately, major software companies have adopted Linux in one form or another as their primary operating system. While Google introduced Linux on Chromebooks in 2018 and gave it the moniker Project Crostini, Microsoft recently released WSLg on Windows 10 with GUI app support. The support for USB devices, sound, and GPU acceleration has been added to Chrome OS over the past three years of development. The inclusion of Linux on Chromebook has proven to be beneficial for everyone from common users to IT managers to software developers and students looking to learn how to code. Additionally, Linux will also exit beta in the upcoming release of Chrome OS. So let’s get started learning how to use Linux on a Chromebook in 2022.
Run Linux on Your Chromebook (Updated 2022)
To be clear, all Chromebooks that are released in 2019 and the future will support Linux. Yes, it also applies to Chromebooks obtained through the school. However, school officials can still turn off Linux support on their end. If this applies to your Chromebook, speak with your school’s administrator to have the restriction lifted. You don’t need to switch your Chromebook to Developer mode or any other channel, aside from that. The stable channel already has Linux support. Additionally, Linux can be installed on Chromebooks with ARM processors, so there are no worries here.
To quickly navigate to any section you’re interested in, use the table of contents below.
Set Up Linux on a Chromebook
1. To start, click the cogwheel icon in the Quick Settings panel to access the Settings page.
2. After that, expand the menu by clicking on Advance on the left pane. Click on Developers after that. Contact your school’s administration if you have a Chromebook that was provided to you by the school and the Developers menu is not present.
3. Click on Turn on next to the Linux development environment (Beta) section once you’re in the Developers menu.
4. The setup dialogue box will appear. To run Linux on your Chromebook, click the Install option right now.
5. On the following page, pick Customized to select how much disc space you want for Linux and type in your preferred username for Linux. I have allotted 25GB of my 64GB internal storage space. You should increase the storage even more if you have more storage and wish to use Linux to play games and create apps.
6. The installation of Linux on your Chromebook will take a little while. You may use Linux and the Linux Terminal on your Chromebook once the installation is complete. The launcher contains the Terminal application.
How to Install Linux apps on a Chromebook
1. You must update the Linux build to the most recent version before using Linux programmes on a Chromebook. You should run the command shown below in the Terminal because it will update all packages and dependencies. Simply copy the command and paste it in the Terminal window.
sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get upgrade -y
2. You can instal an app after your Chromebook’s Linux has been upgraded. For instance, the installation of the GIMP image editor on our Chromebook went off without a hitch. You can use our list of the best Linux apps for Chromebooks to find more of these applications. Installation guidelines are provided in detail. After installation, the launcher contains Linux programmes.
Share Files Between Chrome OS and Linux
1. You should be aware that Chrome OS and Linux use different file systems now that you have successfully ran Linux on your Chromebook. You must therefore shift the files from Downloads to the Linux files section in order to access the local folders and files on Linux programmes.
2. If you don’t want to constantly move files to the Linux section, use the right-click menu to select “Share with Linux” from the Downloads menu. Now, Linux apps can access all of the files and directories under Downloads.
3. Downloads can be accessed from the directory listed below. Right-clicking on Downloads will allow you to add it to your bookmarks. You no longer need to manually navigate to the Downloads folder when using Linux programmes.
mnt/chromeos/MyFiles/Downloads
4. Wine may be configured to run Windows 10 applications on your Chromebook. In addition, you may sideload Android apps onto Chrome OS by setting up ADB on your Chromebook.
5. You can also utilise Signal, instal desktop MS Office, instal Steam, play Minecraft in Chrome OS, instal Microsoft Edge, and use your Chromebook to run Signal. It’s all thanks to Chrome OS’s support for Linux.
Enable Linux on Your Chromebook and Open The Door of Endless Possibilities
That concludes our succinct essay on setting up and using Linux on a Chromebook. You don’t need to alter Chrome Flags or modify your update channel because the instructions are simple and clear. Simply follow the instructions to activate Linux on your Chromebook. And click over to our other page if you want to discover more such Chrome OS tips and techniques. That’s all we have to say, though. If you come into any issues while using Linux, please let us know in the comments section below.