Wondering if your Chromebook can run Windows? Learn the answer to this common question and explore the pros and cons of Chrome OS versus Windows in our in-depth guide.
The Chromebooks are simple, secure, and inexpensive, and there are no many problems caused by Windows PCs. Most people will find that they fit their needs. However, one thing that keeps those who have just come into contact with Chrombooks constantly worried and have many potential buyers failing is the inability to install and run the Windows or Mac software. Naturally, I mean, if you have software built specifically for Windows operating systems or Macs, it won't be able to work directly on the ChromeBook.
Why would we say possible because although the Chromebook was still well known in the past for its built-in browsers, it is now beyond the basics of simplicity, even though you may not be able to install Windows software directly on your Chrombook, you still have other options to access the software tools you need or need.
The final section outlined the potential issues with Chromebook Windows installation. Thus, our article offers a straightforward method to install Windows on Chromebook to make things easier for you. Here, the approach we advise is to make a portable Windows USB disk. To process with this approach, you must have a Windows computer.
If you want to download Chrome OS on Windows, it is recommended to use AOMEI Partition Assistant to make a portable Windows USB drive. It gives you the Windows To Go Creator function that allows you to easily enjoy Chrome OS. Besides, it offers many other useful functions for partition management. You can use it to merge partitions, clone disks, or rebuild corrupted MBR.
Now you can download it to have a try and follow the steps to create Windows to Go USB device for Chromebook.
The Best Windows Disk Partition Manager and PC Optimizer
Before you do:
① You need to be on a computer running Windows 10 to make a working USB flash drive. Windows 11/10/8/7 all have this feature that you can use to make anSSD that can boot and other portable hard drives.
② This tool works with both Legacy and UEFI boot modes, but it can only start up in UEFI mode.
③ You can use any USB 2.0, 3.0, or 3.1 drive, SSD, or HDD, but a USB 3.1 device is better because it makes the usable drive and starts up the Chromebook faster.
④You have to convert the USB external hard drive to GPT partition style.
⑤Download a 64-bit version of Windows a disk image (ISO) from Microsoft.
Step 1. Insert an empty USB drive (over 32GB) to a Windows 10 computer via USB port. It is better to choose USB drive from famous manufacturers such as Samsung, SanDisk, Kingston, etc.
Step 2. Select “Tools” on the main interface and hit “Windows To Go Creator”.
Step 3. In the pop-out small window, select “Create Windows ToGo for Mac computer” and hit on “Next”.
Step 4. Then select source file (the Windows 10 ISO files you have download) by clicking the folder icon and click “Next”.
Step 5. Select the USB drive you have plugged in and hit on “Proceed”.
Note: you can click the “Advanced” button to choose the type of created system and target system startup mode.
Step 6. Then wait for the process to be done.
It'll take a long time to put Windows on a USB drive. After the setup is done, you can safely take the USB drive off of your Windows computer and connect it to the Chromebook you want to use. If your Chrome OS computer only has a USB-C port, you will need a USB C Transformer adapter to connect the USB drives. Next, turn on the Chromebook's power supply and press the Option button right away. To run Windows on a Chromebook through a USB drive, select the drive and click on it again.
Chromebooks are well known for their simplicity, security and affordability, so they are the first choice for many users. However, not being able to run Windows or Mac software directly may be a lucky disadvantage having solutions such as creating Windows portable USB drives so that users can run Windows on Chrombooks with tools such as AOMEI Partition Assistant. You can create a Windows To Go USB drive and access the desired software to build a bridge between Chrome OS and Windows.
Can I run Windows software directly on a Chromebook? No, Chromebooks cannot natively run Windows software. However, you can use a portable Windows USB drive to run Windows on your Chromebook.
What is a Windows To Go USB drive? A Windows To Go USB drive is a portable version of the Windows operating system that can be booted from a USB drive. This allows you to run Windows on a Chromebook or other non-Windows devices.
What do I need to create a Windows To Go USB drive? You will need a Windows computer, an empty USB drive (at least 32GB, preferably USB 3.1), AOMEI Partition Assistant software, and a 64-bit version of the Windows disk image (ISO).
How do I create a Windows To Go USB drive for my Chromebook? The steps include:
Are there any limitations to using Windows on a Chromebook via USB? Yes, running Windows from a USB drive may result in slower performance compared to a native Windows PC. Some features may not work perfectly, and booting from a USB drive can take longer. Additionally, a USB-C adapter may be needed for Chromebooks with only USB-C ports.