Can You Install Windows on a Chromebook?

Chromebooks are made to be easy to use. They turn on in a breeze, are secure, and usually stay out of your way. That’s all great, until you need something that only works on Windows, or you miss the flexibility of a regular PC.

At that point, you might wonder if you can install Windows on a Chromebook to make it work more like other computers. The good news is that you can run Windows on a Chromebook, but it’s not just an update or a quick change.

This guide walks you through what’s involved when you download Windows on a Chromebook, and the things you should think through before you decide whether this even makes sense for you.

Check Whether Your Chromebook Can Run Windows

Before you go any further, your Chromebook needs to meet a few basic requirements. Installing Windows only works on certain hardware, so this step is about figuring out whether your device is even eligible before you spend time prepping or downloading anything.

• Your Chromebook must be Intel- or AMD-based. ARM Chromebooks aren’t compatible with Windows because Microsoft doesn’t support ARM processors.
• You’ll want at least 32GB of storage, though 64GB or more would be preferred for most people.
• Windows will run with less, but 8GB of RAM is recommended for smoother performance. Some Chromebooks are equipped with 32 GB.

If your Chromebook doesn’t check those boxes, you will struggle or even be prevented from installing Windows. In that case, you’re better off looking at alternatives, which we cover later in this guide.

Get Things Ready Before You Install Windows

Once you know that your Chromebook is compatible, it’s time for a little prep. Installing Windows isn’t something you want to rush into because you’ll be changing system-level settings and wiping all your data along the way.

1. Back up anything you care about. Installing Windows will erase your Chromebook, so make sure your important files are stored elsewhere, like on Google Drive, an external drive, or somewhere else safe and easily accessible later.
2. Create a bootable USB with Windows. On another PC, download the Windows ISO and use it to make a bootable flash drive. This is what you’ll use to install Windows on your Chromebook. Rufus is a great option for this.
3. Download the right drivers ahead of time. Head to CoolStar’s site and grab the drivers for your specific Chromebook model. You’ll need these after Windows is installed so that essentials like audio, Wi-Fi, and the keyboard continue to work.

How to Get Windows Running on Your Chromebook

Before you jump in, please know that this part is the core of the Windows installation process. You’ll be flipping your Chromebook from its current state into something that can actually run a desktop OS, and then you’ll get Windows installed.

Note: Again, this isn’t all plug-and-play. Every step is important, so try your best to avoid skipping one.

1. Turn on Developer Mode.
   
   You can’t tweak the system until you enable this, which lets you run things ChromeOS normally blocks. You’ll be able to change how the machine starts and what it’ll boot from.
2. Turn off the firmware write protection.
   
   Chromebook firmware is protected so that nothing can overwrite it by accident. That’s great, but to install Windows, you need to disable that protection.
   
   This usually involves removing a write-protect screw or jumper, or disconnecting the battery, but it depends on your model. MrChromebox has some guidance on this.
3. Flash custom UEFI firmware that supports Windows.
   
   Once write protection is off, use a script (like this one from MrChromebox) to flash UEFI-compatible firmware. This replaces the stock Chromebook boot firmware with something that can boot Windows, because ChromeOS’s firmware won’t do it on its own.
4. Boot from the USB device and start the Windows install.
   
   To do this, plug in the bootable USB you made earlier, restart the laptop, pick the USB drive from the boot menu, and then let the standard Windows installation process run.
5. From here, it’s similar to installing Windows on any PC: you’ll delete the old partitions if you’re replacing ChromeOS, set up your drive, and then follow the installer prompts.

What to Do After Windows Is Installed

Once Windows finishes installing, your Chromebook will boot like a normal PC. However, it won’t be fully usable right away because you’re running Windows on hardware it wasn’t designed for, meaning that there are a few things you’ll want to take care of before everything feels normal.

1. Install the missing drivers. Use the drivers you downloaded earlier so that Wi-Fi, sound, trackpad, keyboard shortcuts, and other basic things work properly. These drivers are what make Windows apps usable on Chromebook hardware.
2. Tweak Windows settings for better performance. Doing things like turning off unnecessary startup apps, adjusting power settings, and limiting background processes can make a huge difference. This is especially important if you’re using an older Chromebook.
3. Install your apps. Your Chromebook will feel a lot closer to a regular Windows laptop once you load all the apps you want to use on it.

Things You Should Think About Before Committing

Installing Windows on a Chromebook can be risky. One of the biggest is that you’ll almost certainly void your warranty. The moment you enable developer mode, disable protections, or uninstall ChromeOS, the manufacturer no longer considers the device supported.

There’s also the chance that you break the Chromebook entirely (no fault of your own, of course). Flashing firmware and changing boot settings always carry the chance of something going wrong, and if that happens, you could end up with a laptop that won’t turn on or boot at all.

These things won’t necessarily happen to you since they don’t happen to everyone, but they’re serious enough that you should only move forward if you’re okay with the possibility of losing the device.

Another problem is Windows support on Chromebook hardware. Some features may never work perfectly, updates can be hit or miss, and you might notice worse performance than what you’d get from a true Windows laptop.

Easier Ways to Use Windows Without Replacing ChromeOS

Installing Windows isn’t the only way to get Windows apps on a Chromebook. To minimize risks and avoid all the setup steps above, consider safer Windows alternatives that still let you get work done.

These options won’t give you the same control as installing Windows directly, but they avoid most of the Chromebook risks and are much easier to walk away from if they don’t fit what you need.

• Virtualization options like WineHQ let you run certain Windows apps inside ChromeOS without fully uninstalling it. This can be a good option if you’re only interested in lighter apps and not 3D modeling and other beefier programs.
• Cloud desktops let you stream a full Windows PC to your Chromebook through the browser. Services like Vagon and Shadow handle all the heavy lifting on remote hardware, so your Chromebook just acts like a window into a Windows machine.
• Web-based apps work on any device that has access to a browser. For example, instead of looking for ways to install Windows photo apps, video editors, and email clients that work with your Chromebook, look for websites that can do the same thing.

Frequently Asked Questions