Run Windows Apps on Chromebook: A Complete Guide

Need help using Windows apps on your Chromebook? Don't worry, we have the solution for you in this article. We know how frustrating it can be when you can't use Windows apps on your Chromebook. But our guide will help you solve these problems. Follow the simple steps and you can easily run Windows applications on your Chromebook. This will greatly improve your computing experience and make you more productive. With our guide, you can say goodbye to frustration and experience a smoother Chromebook experience.

Can I run Windows apps on my Chromebook? If you're a Chrome user, you may have wondered if you can work with Windows applications on your Chromebook. If so, the answer is yes. Paid software is available for that. However, there are still some applications that don't work on Chromebooks.

Can I run Windows apps on my Chromebook? Since Chromebooks have limited storage and processing power, a little planning can go a long way. Store your frequently used files in a cloud storage service that syncs with your applications. For safety and convenience, consider using Google Drive and Microsoft OneDrive. Record your Chromebook's model number and RAM in our guide. Check your Chromebook's storage capacity by opening the Files app from the toolbar and selecting the three-dot menu in the upper-right corner. Enable Google Play Store if you haven't already. Note important programs with their publishers. Prioritize applications by importance, frequency, and offline capabilities. Before downloading a program that's not compatible with Chrome, check the recommended specifications to see how much space it will use. 

How to run Windows apps on Chromebook?

For example, if you want to run games on like getting steams on Chromebook, you can follow the steps:

Since you have a Chromebook that works with Steam, all you have to do is switch to the Beta channel, install an update, and then start setting up Steam. This is how you do it. To install Windows on Steam, you can try to burn ISO to USB drive and make the USB bootable. But for this feature to work, you also need a USB drive that is bigger than 32GB and approved by Microsoft. If you don't have one of these, you won't be able to make a bootable USB from ISO. To make a bootable USB that is more flexible, you might want to use a more powerful tool. We suggest that you use AOMEI Partition Assistant here.

AOMEI Partition Assistant

The Best Windows Disk Partition Manager and PC Optimizer

Free Download
Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7

This is better than Microsoft's "Windows To Go" because it lets you make a bootable USB drive for all versions of Windows 11, 10, 8, 7 (32 bit and 64 bit). Besides, it not need a required USB drive bigger than 32GB. It even allows you to make a bootable USB drive from an ISO or system disc and a bootable Windows USB drive with the current system.

In this section, we will take how to make a bootable USB from ISO with AOMEI Partition Assistant as an example.

Preparation work:

① Prepare an empty USB drive. To speed up the process, a USB 3.0 drive and computer with a USB3.0 port are recommended.

② Download the Windows ISO files from the Microsoft official site.

③ Download the AOMEI Partition Assistant first.

Step 1. Plug the prepared USB drive in your Windows 10 computer and verify it is detected successfully. Run AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional. Click “Tools” in the top toolbar, and choose “Windows To Go Creator”.

Step 2. Here we choose the first option "Create Windows ToGo for personal computer".

Step 3. Choose "Create Windows ToGo with system disc/ISO" and select the prepared ISO files, then hit on "Next".

Step 4. In the subsequent window, choose the USB you plan to use. Then click the "Proceed" option to start making a bootable USB from ISO.

If you have don’t have prepared Windows ISO files, you can choose the second method in "Step 3" to create Windows bootable USB with current system.

If your OS won't start up normally, you can use "Make Bootable Media" function to make a bootable USB drive on a computer that is already up and running.

Then you boot your computer with a boot failure from the bootable drive, To repair the startup problems, you can try to rebuild MBR on the system drive, or check bad sectors on the main hard drive.

This multifunctional also supports these functions:

1. Partition Management: AOMEI Partition Assistant enables you to resize, move, merge, and delete partitions with ease. You can also convert partition types, align partitions like 4K Alignment for SSD to enhance system performance, and create new partitions without losing data.

1. Disk Partitioning: The software allows you to create, delete, and format partitions, as well as convert between MBR and GPT partition styles, which is particularly useful for newer UEFI-based systems.

2. Disk Cloning: If you are planning to upgrade to a better disk, you can also use it to clone your entire disk or a designated partition. With it, you can quickly transfer the data to the new disk without reinstalling Windows or applications.

3. Disk Cleanup and Drive Space Expansion: The software can even help you clean up accumulated and hidden junk files, including temporary files, cache, and system restoration points, freeing up storage space on your computer.

Conclusion

By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can successfully run Windows applications on your Chromebook. Whether you need to use specific software for work, play your favorite games, or manage your files more effectively, our comprehensive instructions will help you navigate the process smoothly. With tools like AOMEI Partition Assistant and the ability to create bootable USB drives, you'll be able to extend your Chromebook's functionality far beyond its original capabilities. Say goodbye to limitations and hello to a more versatile, productive, and enjoyable computing experience on your Chromebook.

FAQs

1. Can you get Steam on a Chromebook? Yes, you can get Steam on a Chromebook by switching to the Beta channel and installing Steam through the Linux environment.

2. What is Proton Layer? Proton Layer is a technology that allows Windows games to run smoothly on Linux computers, enabling Steam to function on Chromebooks.

3. Do I need a special USB drive to create a bootable Windows USB? While a USB drive larger than 32GB is often recommended, tools like AOMEI Partition Assistant can create bootable USB drives without this restriction.

4. What is AOMEI Partition Assistant? AOMEI Partition Assistant is a versatile disk management tool that helps create bootable USB drives, manage partitions, clone disks, and more.

5. Can I run AAA games on a Chromebook? Yes, with the proper setup and tools, you can run AAA games on a Chromebook using Steam and the Proton compatibility layer.