The Wizards of OZ
01 Introduction
Chromebooks are shipped with the proprietary Chrome OS operating system. While Chrome OS is relatively secure and features an attractive design, it is overall very unfriendly to its users. Only Google is capable of maintaining and providing security updates for the operating system. Therefore, once your Chromebook is no longer covered by Google, it ceases to receive vital security updates, practically rendering it unusable. Through this process, Google forces you to purchase a new Chromebook while disposing of your old Chromebook. This ecosystem is harmful to families that cannot afford to continue purchasing new computers and also greatly contributes to e-waste. Replacing Chrome OS with a different operating system can help you to avoid many of these issues. Even if you do not care about these concerns, replacing Chrome OS will give you the opportunity to learn and also expand the functionality of your device. If you can identify with any of these aims, then this guide is likely the right place to be.
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02 Questions and Concerns
A We hope that people with any level of expertise in computing or computers will be able to follow and understand this guide. While documentation on replacing ChromeOS already exists, we felt that this documentation was difficult to understand for non-technical people. Frustrated with this, we decided to introduce our own instructions on how to replace ChromeOS to help non-technical users become familiar with the process. Find out more about our rationale and process.
B By replacing your Chromebook with another operating system, such as Windows or Linux, you can save yourself money by avoiding purchasing another Chromebook. Furthermore, by extending the lifespan of your laptop, you save it from becoming e-waste and damaging the environment. Opening and modifying your hardware also gives you the opportunity to learn more and develop a deeper understanding of how your computer works, providing a great learning experience.
B. Why should I care about replacing Chrome OS?
C Replacing ChromeOS with a different operating system is a very involved process that requires patience and attention in order to be successful. While it is generally very difficult to render your laptop completely useless through this process, you should always exercise caution when modifying your computer. Make sure to read all sections of this guide closely and carefully and follow instructions as closely as possible. When working with hardware, make sure you have an open space and follow general safety procedures.
D This guide is written with the aim that all people, including those without technical knowledge, will be able to follow it and understand it. While this is our intention, please note that some effort will be required from the end user in order to follow this guide. If you do not understand terminology or nomenclature used in the guide, do not hesitate to spend a few minutes Googling it or researching it so you know what you are working with.
D I know very little about computers and want to replace ChromeOS. Is this the right guide for me?
E Depending on your familiarity with Chrome OS and hardware, finishing this guide could take between 2 to 6 hours. Replacing Chrome OS is a multi-step process which may be confusing for some people and may be more straightforward for others.
A. Who was this guide written for?
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C Is it possible to break my computer if I try to replace ChromeOS?
E How long can I expect the entire process to take?