Introduction
Chromebooks are known as lightweight and cost-effective devices for everyday use. They come with Chrome OS, a fast, secure, and easy-to-use operating system developed by Google. However, Chromebook users may sometimes need more functionality or the ability to run Linux-based applications that the default Chrome OS doesn’t support. One solution is to install Ubuntu Linux on your Chromebook using Crouton.
In this article, we will guide you step-by-step on how to install Ubuntu Linux on your Chromebook using Crouton.
Prerequisites
1. A Chromebook with developer mode enabled.
2. A stable internet connection.
3. At least 5 GB of free storage space on your device.
4. Basic familiarity with command line and Linux basics.
Step 1: Enable Developer Mode
Before installing Ubuntu Linux, you need to enable developer mode on your Chromebook. Keep in mind that enabling developer mode will erase all local data from your device, so back up your important files to an external storage device or cloud service before proceeding.
To enable developer mode:
1. Turn off your Chromebook.
2. Press and hold the Esc + Refresh (F3) keys then press the Power button.
3. Once the recovery screen appears, press Ctrl + D then Enter to enable developer mode.
Your Chromebook will reboot, and the process of enabling developer mode will begin. This process typically takes around 10-15 minutes.
Step 2: Download Crouton
Next, you need to download Crouton software from Github:
1. Open Google Chrome browser on your Chromebook.
2. Go to the following URL: https://goo.gl/fd3zc
3. Click the link in the webpage that says “crouton.”
4. A file named “crouton” will be downloaded to your Chromebook’s Downloads folder.
Step 3: Install Ubuntu Linux using Crouto
1. Press Ctrl + Alt + T to open a terminal window in Chrome OS.
2. Type “shell” and press Enter to access a full bash shell.
3. Navigate to the Downloads folder by typing “cd ~/Downloads” and pressing Enter.
4. Type “sudo sh -e crouton -t xfce” to start the Ubuntu installation process. You can replace “xfce” with another desktop environment, such as “kde,” if you prefer.
The installation process may take a while, depending on your internet connection and device performance. Once completed, you will see a message stating that your Ubuntu Linux installation is ready.
Step 4: Start Ubuntu Linux
1. In the terminal window, type “sudo startxfce4” (or “sudo startkde” if you selected KDE earlier) and press Enter.
2. Your Chromebook will switch to Ubuntu Linux, and you’ll see the new desktop environment.
Step 5: Switching between Chrome OS and Ubuntu Linux
To switch back to Chrome OS, press Ctrl + Alt + Shift + Back Arrow.
To switch back to Ubuntu Linux again, press Ctrl + Alt + Shift + Forward Arrow.
Conclusion
Now that you’ve installed Ubuntu Linux on your Chromebook using Crouton, you have access to a wider range of applications and tools. Switch between Chrome OS and Ubuntu Linux seamlessly for maximum productivity and versatility on your device. Please note that running two operating systems concurrently can consume more system resources; close any unused applications when running both environments. Enjoy exploring the capabilities of your newly-installed Ubuntu Linux on your Chromebook!
