Install Ubuntu on Chromebook

Welcome to the world of possibilities as we unveil a groundbreaking method to enhance your Chromebook experience. In this article, we will guide you through the process of installing Ubuntu on your beloved Chromebook, opening doors to a realm of endless customization and expanded functionality. Let’s embark on this transformative journey together!

Enabling Developer Mode and Installing Ubuntu

To enable Developer Mode on your Chromebook, follow these steps:

1. Power off your Chromebook.

2. Press and hold the Esc and Refresh keys, then press the Power button to turn on the device.

3. When the Chromebook boots up, you will see a screen with a yellow exclamation mark. Press Ctrl+D to enable Developer Mode.

4. A warning message will appear. Press Enter to continue.

5. The Chromebook will reboot and erase all local data. This process may take a few minutes.

6. After the reboot, follow the on-screen prompts to set up your Chromebook again.

Once you have enabled Developer Mode, you can proceed to install Ubuntu:

1. Download the Ubuntu image for your Chromebook’s architecture (either ARM or Intel).

2. Open the ChromeOS terminal by pressing Ctrl+Alt+T.

3. Type “shell” and press Enter to enter the command-line interface.

4. Type “sudo apt-get update” to update the package lists.

5. Type “sudo apt-get install xiwi” to install the necessary software.

6. Type “sudo startxiwi -b unity” to start Ubuntu with the Unity user interface.

7. Ubuntu will now launch in a window on your Chromebook’s desktop.

Using Crouton to Install Ubuntu XFCE on a Chromebook

To install Ubuntu XFCE on your Chromebook, you can use a tool called Crouton. Crouton is a script that allows you to run Ubuntu alongside ChromeOS, giving you access to a full Linux desktop environment on your Chromebook.

To get started, you’ll need to enable developer mode on your Chromebook. This will allow you to make changes to the operating system and install Linux. Keep in mind that enabling developer mode will wipe all data on your Chromebook, so make sure to back up any important files before proceeding.

Once you’re in developer mode, you’ll need to open a command-line interface, also known as a shell. This is where you’ll enter the commands to install Ubuntu XFCE using Crouton.

The first step is to download the Crouton script from the official GitHub page. You can do this by opening the Chromium web browser and navigating to the Crouton GitHub page. From there, you can download the script and save it to your Downloads directory.

Next, open the shell by pressing Ctrl+Alt+T on your Chromebook. In the shell, you’ll need to enter a command to enter the Linux chroot environment. This will allow you to install Ubuntu XFCE.

To enter the chroot environment, use the command “sudo sh ~/Downloads/crouton -t xfce”. This will start the installation process for Ubuntu XFCE.

During the installation, you’ll be prompted to enter a username and password for your Ubuntu installation. Make sure to choose a strong password to protect your system.

Once the installation is complete, you can switch between ChromeOS and Ubuntu XFCE by pressing Ctrl+Alt+Shift+Back or Ctrl+Alt+Shift+Forward. This will allow you to enjoy the benefits of both operating systems on your Chromebook.

Remember that installing Ubuntu XFCE using Crouton on a Chromebook may void your warranty, so proceed with caution. Additionally, keep in mind that running Ubuntu XFCE alongside ChromeOS may require more resources, so make sure your Chromebook has enough storage and processing power.

Now that you have Ubuntu XFCE installed on your Chromebook, you can explore the world of Linux and start taking Linux training to enhance your knowledge and skills.

Switching between Operating Systems on a Chromebook

Chromebook with icons of different operating systems

To switch between operating systems on a Chromebook and install Ubuntu, follow these steps:

1. Enable Developer Mode on your Chromebook. This will allow you to access the underlying operating system and install Ubuntu.

2. Download and install the Crouton application. Crouton is a tool that allows you to run Linux alongside Chrome OS on your Chromebook.

3. Open a terminal window and enter the command “sudo sh ~/Downloads/crouton -r [release] -t [target]” to begin the installation process. Replace [release] with the desired Ubuntu release (e.g., “xenial” for Ubuntu 16.04) and [target] with the desired desktop environment (e.g., “unity” for the Unity user interface or “gnome” for the GNOME desktop environment).

4. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the installation. This may take some time, as the necessary files will be downloaded and installed.

5. Once the installation is complete, you can switch between Chrome OS and Ubuntu by pressing Ctrl+Alt+Shift+Back or Ctrl+Alt+Shift+Forward.

6. When in Ubuntu, you can use it just like any other operating system. Install applications, browse the web, and perform various tasks using the Ubuntu software ecosystem.