ChromeOS Flex can breathe new life into an old PC that no longer receives security updates.
Eventually, your aging computer will no longer receive new security patches. Windows 10 reached its end of life in October 2025, although extended security updates are still offered until October 2027. Older Macs will also soon reach their end of life status; With the removal of macOS 27 for Intel Macs, security patches will only last as long as macOS 26 is supported.
But the loss of software support does not automatically make the underlying hardware obsolete. Even if your old computer seems slow, an alternative operating system like Google’s ChromeOS might be enough to make it useful again. ChromeOS requires fewer resources than Windows and generally provides a smoother experience on lower-end computers, making it a good choice for extending the life of an old PC.
Historically, the only way to access ChromeOS was to purchase a Chromebook with it preinstalled. But that changed a few years ago when Google introduced ChromeOS Flex, an official way to install the operating system on your own hardware. The process only takes about an hour, and you may already have everything you need to get started.
How to install ChromeOS Flex
ChromeOS Flex requires an Intel or AMD processor, 4 GB of RAM and 16 GB of storage. Hardware age also matters, as processors from 2012 or earlier do not support newer versions of ChromeOS. However, these are relatively modest requirements compared to Windows 11.
You will also need a USB flash drive with a capacity of 8 GB or more; everything in it will be deleted as part of this process, so be sure to back up all files if necessary. Finally, you must have an existing computer with Chrome installed (download Chrome if necessary) to create the installation media. This could be the device you plan to use for ChromeOS Flex, provided it is currently functional.
After gathering everything you need, open Chrome and install the Chromebook Recovery Utility extension. Insert your USB drive into a USB port and open the utility via the Extension cords button (which looks like a puzzle piece) located in the upper right corner of Chrome. Click To startthen select Google Chrome OS Flex in the drop-down menus on the next page, followed by Continue. You should be able to select your USB drive and start the process at this point.
Once the utility has prepared the flash drive, insert the drive into the computer where you want to install ChromeOS Flex. When restarting or turning on this machine, you will need to repeatedly press a key such as F10, F12 Or Del on your keyboard to access the computer’s boot menu – look up your model online or check the manual if you’re not sure which key to use. This may take a few attempts; If you see Windows loading screen, restart and press the key earlier.
From the boot menu, select your USB drive (it may be labeled something like USB: Chrome OS Flex) and wait for it to load. You will be greeted with a setup wizard, where you can choose between installing the operating system or trying it out. The latter does not retain any data between reboots, so it is not intended for long-term use. You might want to try it first to make sure everything works with your hardware.
When you are ready to install the new operating system, be aware that this will erase everything on your computer, so make sure you have made a backup. After choosing Install ChromeOS Flex and the installation is complete, remove the USB drive and restart the computer to start using the operating system.
What are the disadvantages of ChromeOS Flex?
MonicaZ82/Shutterstock
Although ChromeOS Flex can extend the life of your device after Windows or macOS updates end, you can’t expect its support to last forever. The exact end of support date varies widely depending on your exact hardware configuration, although Google maintains a list of ChromeOS Flex certified models with defined support windows. In my experience, uncertified hardware can run ChromeOS Flex just as well, so don’t be discouraged if your device isn’t on this list.
Currently, you cannot officially dual boot ChromeOS Flex with Windows or another operating system. Technically, you can install ChromeOS Flex on a flash drive and boot there manually, while leaving Windows on your primary drive untouched, but this will result in noticeably slower performance.
One of the major annoyances I encountered with ChromeOS Flex is the lack of biometric authentication. In fact, you can’t even set up a PIN to log into your account at startup; This is only possible on a native Chromebook because it has dedicated security hardware to enable these features. Even if your PC includes the necessary hardware, ChromeOS Flex won’t take advantage of it. It may seem minor, but entering your Google account password every time to log in to your PC or laptop becomes a hassle.
ChromeOS Flex also doesn’t include the Google Play Store, even though the vast majority of Chromebooks do. In fact, it’s missing the Android virtual machine entirely, so you can’t sideload any apps either. Depending on your hardware, you may be able to enable Linux support, but you will need to install applications via the command line. Google maintains a support page dedicated to the differences between full-fledged Chromebooks and ChromeOS Flex installations, which is worth checking out.
Other than that, ChromeOS Flex is a lightweight operating system with a capable web browser and nothing else. This is exactly what makes it perfect for an old but still functional PC. Installing Linux is always another option, but ChromeOS Flex involves far less hassle.
