Chrome OS is a Linux kernel-based operating system renowned for its performance and integration with the Google Play Store, offering access to millions of Android apps. If you're interested in trying Chrome OS, you can purchase a Chromebook or opt to dual boot Chrome OS with Windows on your existing laptop or desktop. This guide will walk you through the steps to install and run Chrome OS alongside Windows 10 or Windows 11 on a single machine.
Prerequisites
Before we start, ensure you have:
1. A Windows laptop or desktop.
2. A stable internet connection.
3. Basic knowledge of using command prompt and BIOS settings.
Step-by-Step Installation Guide
1. Disable Hibernation, Fast Startup, and Secure Boot
Disable Hibernation:
1. Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
2. Type the following command and press Enter:
```
powercfg.exe /h off
```
Disable Fast Startup:
1. Open the Registry Editor by typing `regedit` in the Run dialog (Win + R).
2. Navigate to:
```
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\Power
```
3. Locate `HiberbootEnabled`, double-click it, and change the value from `1` to `0`.
Disable Secure Boot:
1. Restart your PC and enter the BIOS/UEFI settings (commonly done by pressing F2, F10, F12, or DEL during startup).
2. Find the Secure Boot option under the Security tab and disable it.
3. Save and exit by pressing F10.
2. Set Up WSL and Ubuntu
1. Open PowerShell as an administrator.
2. Install Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) and Ubuntu with this command:
```
wsl --install -d Ubuntu
```
3. After the installation, set up a username and password for Ubuntu.
4. Install necessary packages with the following command:
```
sudo apt-get install pv cgpt
```
3. Create a Partition for Chrome OS
1. Open Disk Management (search for `diskmgmt.msc` in the Start menu).
2. Shrink your main partition to create at least 16 GB of free space (100 GB recommended).
3. Create a new partition and name it `ChromeOS`.
4. Download Required Files
1. Brunch Framework: Download the Brunch framework from GitHub.
2. Chrome OS Recovery Image:
- Go to `cros.tech` in your browser.
- Download the appropriate recovery image based on your CPU (e.g., `shiyana` for 6th-9th gen Intel CPUs).
3. Grub2Win Software: Download Grub2Win from its official website.
5. Set Up Chrome OS
1. Extract all downloaded files using 7zip or WinRAR.
2. Create a folder named `ChromeOS` and move all extracted files into this folder.
3. Rename the recovery image file to `ChromeOS`.
6. Mount Directory and Install Chrome OS
1. Copy the path of the `ChromeOS` folder.
2. Open Ubuntu and mount the directory with this command:
```
sudo mount /mnt/<your-folder-path>
```
3. Start the installation process by running:
```
sudo sh install.sh
```
4. Follow the prompts, specifying the partition size (1-2 GB less than the actual size).
7. Configure Dual Boot with Grub2Win
1. Install Grub2Win and launch the program.
2. Click on `Manage Boot Menu` and create a new entry.
3. Select `User Creation`, which opens Notepad.
4. Paste the copied contents from the Grub configuration file and save.
5. Apply changes and exit.
8. Final Configuration
1. Restart your PC and enter BIOS.
2. Set `Grub2Win Boot Manager` as the first boot option in the Boot Priority Order.
3. Save and exit BIOS.
9. Boot into Chrome OS
1. On startup, select the `Brunch` option from the Grub2Win menu.
2. Complete the Chrome OS setup process, including connecting to Wi-Fi and signing in with your Google account.
Conclusion
Following these steps, you can successfully dual boot Chrome OS and Windows on a single machine. While the process is detailed, careful adherence to each step ensures a smooth setup. If you encounter any issues, feel free to comment below for assistance. Enjoy your dual-boot system!
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