Transform your old laptop into a faster, free Chromebook - here's why, and how to do it

You can use an ageing laptop until it's completely exhausted, but by that point it's unlikely to be receiving security updates, and will be vulnerable to viruses. This is particularly important for devices still using Windows 10, which loses security support in October 2026.

Older laptops that don’t meet the hardware requirements to upgrade can become unsafe to use online, as well as painfully slow. Instead of letting yours go to waste, consider turning it into a Chromebook.

ChromeOS Flex is a free and speedy operating system based on the Google Chrome web browser - ideal if you simply need a laptop for basic tasks like web browsing and email. 

Below, we explain how to transform your old laptop into a capable Chromebook. Or, if it's time to move on, find out how to perform a factory reset and recycle your laptop.

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What is ChromeOS Flex and why should I try it?

What is ChromeOS Flex?

ChromeOS Flex is a free operating system that can be installed on many older computers, including some Macs (such as the Mac Mini from 2014).

The Google ChromeOS Flex Help page lists certified models online  - it’s important to check this first, otherwise you’ll potentially end up with a non-functional computer. It also tells you how long your device will be supported for.

Installing ChromeOS Flex means your refreshed laptop can run Chrome and web apps, including word processing and spreadsheet applications, plus access cloud storage. 

Why should I install it?

• ChromeOS is essentially a web browser, so it requires significantly less Ram and processing power, meaning it will run faster and drain less power - a great perk for old laptops with waning batteries.
• Your laptop will be much more secure and less prone to any viruses. Its always-online nature ensures it regularly delivers security updates while your device is supported.
  

If your laptop is still running Windows 10, you need to prepare for its support ending in October 2026. Check our Windows 10 end-of-support guide for more details.

What are the limitations?

• Although many out-of-the-box Chromebooks can run Android apps, ChromeOS Flex doesn't support the format.
• If you're reliant on heavyweight desktop applications, such as advanced video-editing apps, you're better off looking elsewhere – our pick of the best laptops can help.
• ChromeOS Flex can live on a USB stick, so you can try it out before you consider installing it on your laptop. However, running ChromeOS from a USB can be extremely slow.

Who should turn their laptop into a Chromebook?

Anyone can turn their laptop into a Chromebook, but you might find it particularly helpful for things like:

• Creating a fast, distraction-free homework laptop for a child
• Making a simple, secure web-browsing machine for an elderly relative
• Keeping a 'kitchen laptop' for recipes and streaming 

You can download ChromeOS Flex for free by visiting Google's website.

Install ChromeOS Flex in 6 steps

If you decide to install the OS on your laptop, it will overwrite the information already on there and you won’t be able to get it back. Make sure you’ve got your important files backed up before you begin - either to one of our recommended best external hard drives or to cloud storage.

Before you start, you will need a USB stick with at least 8GB of storage and you need to know that any data stored on it will be wiped by this process. 

If you don't have one to hand, see our pick of the best USB sticks.

1. Open the Chrome web browser

You might not be using Chrome, as alternatives such as Edge and Firefox are popular. If you don’t have it, go to chrome.google.com and select Download Chrome. 

Chrome runs on Linux, macOS and Windows and it should auto-detect the right version for your computer. Click Open file. Once you’ve installed the file, you will need to install a browser extension.

2. Install the Chrome extension

Using Chrome as your browser, go to the extension homepage, then search for Chromebook recovery utility and select it. Choose the Add to Chrome button, then Add extension.

Next, select the extensions menu in the top-right corner of your screen (it looks like a jigsaw piece). Click Chromebook Recovery Utility on the drop-down menu.

3. Plug in your USB

Put your USB stick (8GB minimum) into one of your computer’s USB ports. When it’s recognised, click Get Started in the Recovery Utility window.

4. Choose your Chromebook model

You’ll see a window that asks for the model of your Chromebook. Click Select a Model from a List and choose Google ChromeOS Flex in the top box, and ChromeOS Flex in the bottom one. Click Continue.

5. Write ChromeOS Flex to your USB

In the next window, choose your USB drive from the drop-down list, and press Continue. You don’t need to worry about the Advanced settings.

Press Create now and select Yes when asked if you want Google to make changes to your device. This will begin the process of writing ChromeOS Flex to your USB stick. It can take time to install – it took us upwards of 35 minutes. When it’s finished installing, click OK.

6. Install ChromeOS Flex on your computer

Plug the USB stick into a port on the computer you want to install Chromebook Flex on, and switch it on while pressing the boot key.

Here's a handy reminder of what the boot key is on various leading brands:

Next, choose USB drive from the list, or select it as the first boot device in the BIOS screen (the special settings menu on your laptop that appears before the operating system – like Windows – starts).

If you see the ChromeOS Flex logo, you'll know it's working. Click Get Started and select whether you want to try the OS out over USB, or install it as the default operating system. Click Next and follow the onscreen instructions.

Eventually, you’ll get a screen asking for your wi-fi password, then privacy and licensing information. After that, you're all set.

Looking for quick and reliable digital storage solutions? See our guides to the best USB sticks and best external hard drives

Using ChromeOS Flex

Once installed, ChromeOS Flex can connect with your Android phone (but not an iPhone). Notifications from your phone will appear on your laptop, and it can share information, such as passwords for wi-fi networks, between the devices. 

If you have passwords and bookmarks saved in the Chrome browser, you’ll find these carry over, too – it can also do this with an iPhone, provided you have a Google account and you’re signed in.

Your favourite applications can be pinned to the taskbar at the bottom of the screen, which acts a lot like the one in Windows. There’s a button at the left-hand side that pops up a menu, just like the Windows Start menu, and a notification area on the right is home to things such as the date and time, plus the status of any network connections and your battery charge level.

Compared with Windows or macOS, ChromeOS can appear sparse – all you’ve really got is a web browser. But you can still do things such as quickly snap windows to either side of the screen and use two apps side-by-side, make video calls, and scroll through documents and websites using two fingers, just like you would on any other laptop. 

This sparseness is also a strength, as it allows ChromeOS Flex to run on machines that might give up under the weight of the latest Windows release.

By running ChromeOS Flex on an old laptop, you've saved a computer from becoming part of the mountain of electrical waste the UK produces each year. Plus, you've saved yourself some money if you were once considering buying a new machine.

Save money by buying a pre-loved laptop: best refurbished laptops

Try these ChromeOS apps

• Photopea (shown above) – A free image editor that can open files from your hard drive or Google Drive storage. It has a wide range of editing tools, from simple crops to complex layer-based effects.
• Canva – A free design and publishing tool that runs in your browser. A paid version gives you unlimited access to premium stock images, extra storage or animations.
• Google Workspace – A complete office suite in your browser that consists of a word processor (Docs), spreadsheet app (Sheets) and presentation creator (Slides). Documents are stored in Google Drive – you can access them online from any device, and download or email as Microsoft Office documents.
• WhatsApp Web – Typing long messages with a full keyboard is much easier than using the touchscreen keyboard on a smartphone. If you use WhatsApp, try the web app.

Note that Android apps don't work on ChromeOS Flex.

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This content was originally published on 20 February 2023 and was based on an article featured in Which? Tech Magazine. It was checked and updated in January 2025 and April 2026.

Additional reporting by Tom Morgan and Natalie Turner.