On October 14, 2025, Windows 10 will officially reach its end of life, leaving many users with older PCs unable to upgrade to Windows 11. While purchasing a new PC with Windows 11 might seem like the obvious choice, rising computer prices due to tariffs could make this option less appealing. For those who wish to extend the life of their existing machines, upgrading to Google’s ChromeOS Flex presents a compelling alternative.
What is ChromeOS Flex, you ask?
ChromeOS Flex is a free, cloud-first operating system designed by Google to modernize and prolong the usability of older Windows PCs and Macs. By replacing their original operating systems, it offers a fast, secure, and user-friendly alternative. Built on Chromium OS, the open-source foundation for ChromeOS, it brings many features familiar to Chromebook users to a wider range of hardware. If you can navigate a web browser, you can easily adapt to ChromeOS Flex.
While ChromeOS Flex does not support standalone Windows applications, it allows users to access Microsoft 365 and other Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) applications through their respective web portals. Users can also utilize files stored on Microsoft OneDrive seamlessly. For those in a business environment, ChromeOS Flex supports Single Sign-On (SSO) and integrates with Microsoft Entra ID, enabling smooth access to Microsoft 365 web apps. IT administrators can preconfigure and manage applications and policies from the Google Admin console, making it suitable for both individuals and organizations.
Why you should consider ChromeOS Flex
Security is a primary focus of ChromeOS Flex, featuring automatic updates, data encryption, and sandboxing to safeguard against malware and online threats. Notably, there has never been a reported ransomware attack on ChromeOS Flex, and traditional antivirus software is unnecessary. Additionally, the operating system is optimized for speed, boasting boot times as quick as six seconds, even on aging hardware that struggles with Windows 10. For instance, an older Dell Inspiron One 2320, once a reliable machine, has found new life running ChromeOS Flex, despite its previous sluggishness under Windows 10.
ChromeOS Flex system requirements
As a Linux-based system, ChromeOS Flex can operate on low-powered computers. The minimum requirements are quite modest:
- Intel or AMD x86-64-bit compatible device (32-bit processors are not supported)
- RAM: 4 GB
- Internal storage: 16 GB
- Bootable from a USB drive
- BIOS: Full administrator access is required for booting from the ChromeOS Flex USB installer
In essence, if your PC was built in 2010 or later, it should be compatible, with potential success on even older models for the adventurous. However, caution is advised with certain older graphics hardware.
How to install ChromeOS Flex
Transitioning your PC from Windows or MacOS to ChromeOS Flex is a one-way process, necessitating a complete backup of your important files to avoid data loss. After securing your data, the next step involves creating a USB installation drive, as ChromeOS Flex requires this for installation.
USB drive
Your USB drive must be at least 8GB in size, and it’s recommended to avoid certain brands that may not work reliably. Once prepared, you can run ChromeOS Flex directly from the USB drive to test compatibility without altering your existing setup.
To create the installation drive, utilize the Chromebook Recovery Utility extension in the Chrome browser. The process is straightforward:
- Start the Chrome Recovery Utility extension.
- Click “Get started.”
- Select “Select a model from a list.”
- Choose the manufacturer and find “Google ChromeOS Flex.”
- Select your USB drive from the dropdown menu.
- Click “Continue,” then “Create now.”
How to download ChromeOS Flex
Downloading ChromeOS Flex is a quick process, typically taking under ten minutes on a fast internet connection. Once the installation drive is ready, insert it into your old PC, reboot, and select the USB drive as the boot option. If the experience meets your expectations, you can proceed with a full installation, which generally takes around 15 minutes.
With ChromeOS Flex, users can transform a once-dysfunctional PC into a functional workstation, breathing new life into older hardware. For those seeking alternatives, Linux can also be installed using similar methods, although dual-booting with Windows is not an option.
