ChromeOS Flex: what it is, which PCs it supports and how to install it

ChromeOS Flex is Google’s free operating system that turns an existing PC or Mac into something close to a Chromebook. It suits people who do most things in a web browser, works best on Google’s certified models, and erases the drive when you install it.

Last updated October 25, 2026 · Facts checked against Google’s ChromeOS Flex help center

The short version

ChromeOS Flex is free to install on PCs and Macs you already own.
It needs a 64-bit Intel or AMD processor, 4 GB of RAM and 16 GB of storage.
It doesn’t support Google Play or Android apps, and it doesn’t run Windows programs.
Check Google’s certified models list before you install. Installing erases everything on the drive.

What ChromeOS Flex is, and what it isn’t

ChromeOS Flex is a version of ChromeOS made to install on Windows PCs and Macs. Google says home users can install it on computers they already own at no cost. Businesses and schools pay only if they want to manage devices centrally.

Google says updates arrive in the background about every four weeks. Flex follows the same release cycle as ChromeOS on Chromebooks.

It isn’t a full Chromebook, though. Google lists these differences:

No Google Play or Android apps. Google’s FAQ says Android apps aren’t supported on ChromeOS Flex devices, even though many Chromebooks support them. The only exception is some Android VPN apps that organizations can deploy.
No verified boot. Your PC doesn’t have Google’s security chip, so ChromeOS verified boot isn’t available. Google recommends turning on UEFI Secure Boot instead.
No automatic firmware updates. Flex doesn’t update your PC’s BIOS or UEFI firmware, so firmware updates are up to you.
Linux apps depend on the model. Google says support for the Linux development environment varies by model.
Some hardware won’t work. Google lists CD/DVD drives, fingerprint readers and Thunderbolt features as unsupported.
No dual-boot. Google’s FAQ says dual-booting isn’t supported. You can still run Flex from USB without installing it.

Who ChromeOS Flex suits

Flex is a good fit if almost everything you do happens in a browser: email, web apps, Google Docs, video calls and streaming. It’s also a simple choice for a shared family computer or for a relative who just needs something that works.

It’s a poor fit if you need Windows programs, Android apps, a disc drive or a fingerprint login. In that case, look at Linux Mint, or at keeping Windows with the options in our Windows 10 end of support guide.

The certified models list

Google tests and certifies ChromeOS Flex on individual PC and Mac models, and publishes the results in its certified models list. Each model has one of these statuses:

Status	What Google says it means
Certified	The model is expected to work with ChromeOS Flex.
Minor issues expected	It will likely support at least basic functionality, but Google is still working on it.
Major issues expected	It has known major problems, such as failing to boot, and isn’t recommended.
Decertified	The model recently reached its end of support date.

Each model also has an end-of-support year. Support ends on December 31 of that year, and Google doesn’t support installing Flex on devices that can no longer get automatic updates. The list also shows the boot key for each certified model, which you’ll need later.

Models that aren’t on the list might work, but Google doesn’t guarantee stability, features or performance. It also warns that even a fully working non-certified device might start having significant issues at any time, and says Flex doesn’t support most newer Mac models.

Google updates the list regularly. The version we checked was last updated on September 2, 2026. Our Can It Run? database also shows the ChromeOS Flex status and support year for each model it covers.

Minimum requirements

According to Google, the computer you install ChromeOS Flex on needs:

Part	Minimum
Processor	Intel or AMD x86-64 (64-bit). ARM processors aren’t supported.
RAM	4 GB
Internal storage	16 GB
Boot	Must be able to boot from a USB drive
BIOS/UEFI	Full administrator access, in case you need to change settings

Google says devices with Intel or AMD processor or graphics parts from 2012 and earlier, or Nvidia graphics from 2014 and earlier, aren’t recommended or supported and are unlikely to work.

Create the USB installer

You need a USB drive of 16 GB or more. Creating the installer erases everything on it. Google notes that some USB drives, including some SanDisk models, may not work as installers.

On a Windows PC, Mac or Chromebook, open Chrome and add the Chromebook Recovery Utility extension from the Chrome Web Store.
Open the extension and choose to select a model from a list.
Pick the manufacturer Google ChromeOS Flex, then the product ChromeOS Flex.
Insert the USB drive, select it, and start creating the installer. Google says it’s normal for the progress percentage to look odd.
Remove the drive when the utility says the recovery media is ready.

On Linux, Google offers a download of the installer image instead, which you write to the drive yourself. Google describes this as the method for advanced users.

Try it from USB, then decide whether to install

Shut the target computer down completely, not just to sleep. Insert the USB installer, turn the computer on and press its boot key repeatedly, then choose the USB drive. Google lists these common boot keys:

Manufacturer	Boot key
Dell, Lenovo	F12
HP	F9
Acer, Intel	F2
Asus	Del
Toshiba	F2 or F12
Apple	Hold Option
Microsoft Surface	Hold volume-down
Others	Try Esc, F1 to F12, or Enter

When ChromeOS Flex starts, you get two choices:

Try it first runs ChromeOS Flex from the USB drive and leaves your current system and files alone. Google says live booting has performance and storage limits and doesn’t get automatic updates, so use it only to test.
Install ChromeOS Flex erases the computer’s existing operating system and replaces it with ChromeOS Flex.

Back up before you install: Google says installation erases all existing data, apps, settings and the operating system, and that lost data can’t be recovered, even if the installation fails. Copy your files to an external drive or cloud storage first.

While you’re trying it, check Wi-Fi, sound, the touchpad, the webcam and sleep. If something important doesn’t work, don’t install.

Limitations to know about

Google officially supports only certified models.
Google can’t guarantee Chromebook-level boot speed, battery life or power savings on PC hardware.
Without a supported TPM security chip, Google says your data is still encrypted but might be more vulnerable to attack.
Each model eventually reaches its end of support, after which updates stop.
To go back to Windows, you reinstall it. Google says installing another operating system typically removes ChromeOS Flex.

If your old PC still has a spinning hard drive, consider an SSD upgrade before you install. Do it first, since installing Flex wipes the drive anyway.

Frequently asked questions

Does ChromeOS Flex support Android apps or the Google Play Store?

No. Google’s FAQ says Android apps aren’t supported on ChromeOS Flex, even though many Chromebooks run them. Organizations can deploy some Android VPN apps, but there’s no Play Store for everyday apps.

Is ChromeOS Flex free?

Yes, for home use. Google says it’s free to install on PCs and Macs you already own. Organizations pay for an upgrade license only if they want to manage devices from the Google Admin console.

Can I dual-boot ChromeOS Flex with Windows?

No. Google says dual-booting isn’t supported, and a full install erases the drive. You can run it from the USB installer without installing it, but that mode is slower and doesn’t update.

ChromeOS Flex vs ChromeOS: what’s the difference?

ChromeOS ships on Chromebooks, which have Google’s security chip, verified boot and, on many models, Android apps. ChromeOS Flex runs on ordinary PCs and Macs without those features, and Google only fully supports it on certified models.

ChromeOS Flex vs Linux Mint for an old laptop?

ChromeOS Flex is simpler and centered on the browser. Linux Mint runs desktop apps such as LibreOffice and GIMP, supports dual-booting, and has a lower minimum of 2 GB of RAM. Our Linux Mint guide covers it in detail.