If you have PCs or Macs that still work but can’t run the latest version of Windows or macOS, you have a decision to make. Replacing them costs money and creates e-waste. Keeping them on an unsupported operating system is a security risk.

ChromeOS Flex offers a third option. It’s a free operating system from Google that you can install on many older Windows PCs and Macs, turning them into something that works much like a Chromebook.

What is ChromeOS Flex?

ChromeOS Flex is a version of Google’s ChromeOS built for existing hardware rather than new Chromebooks. It grew out of CloudReady, a product from Neverware, which Google acquired in 2020.

Like ChromeOS, it’s light, starts up quickly and updates itself in the background. Most work happens in the Chrome browser and web apps, so it suits people who mainly use email, Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace in the browser, and other cloud-based tools.

What hardware do you need?

Google’s minimum requirements are modest:

• An Intel or AMD x86-64 processor (32-bit and ARM processors aren’t supported)

• 4GB of RAM

• 16GB of internal storage

• The ability to boot from a USB drive

• Full administrator access to the device’s BIOS or UEFI settings

Devices with components made before 2010 may not perform well, and some older Intel graphics chips aren’t supported. Google keeps a list of certified models that have been tested, so it’s worth checking yours before you start.

How to try it

You don’t need to commit straight away. You can run ChromeOS Flex from a USB stick to see how it performs before installing anything.

1. Create a bootable USB installer using Google’s Chromebook Recovery Utility extension in the Chrome browser.

2. Restart the device and boot from the USB stick.

3. Try ChromeOS Flex from the USB stick to check that Wi-Fi, sound, the display and other hardware work properly.

4. If you’re happy, install it on the device. This erases everything on the internal drive, so back up any data first.

What are the limitations?

• No Android apps. Unlike most Chromebooks, ChromeOS Flex doesn’t support the Google Play Store or Android apps.

• No Google security chip. Chromebooks have dedicated security hardware. ChromeOS Flex relies on the device’s UEFI Secure Boot and, where available, its TPM instead.

• Firmware updates come from the manufacturer. Google updates the operating system, but BIOS and firmware updates still depend on the original device maker.

• Desktop software won’t run. If your team relies on installed Windows or Mac applications, they won’t work on ChromeOS Flex.

Managing ChromeOS Flex at work

For more than a handful of devices, you’ll want central management. With Google’s Chrome Enterprise Upgrade licence, ChromeOS Flex devices can be managed from the Google Admin console, so you can control settings, apps and updates across your fleet.

When does it make sense?

ChromeOS Flex can be a good fit for kiosks, shared devices, reception desks, training rooms and staff who work mostly in the browser. It’s also an option for older hardware that can’t move to Windows 11 now that Windows 10 has reached end of support.

It’s less suited to people who need specialist desktop software, or organisations that manage their devices through Microsoft tools such as Intune. In those cases, moving to Windows 11, Windows 365 or Azure Virtual Desktop may be a better long-term choice.

If you’re weighing up what to do with older devices, Aura can help you compare the options and plan a route that fits your people, your budget and your security needs.