How To Get a Linux Desktop On Your Chromebook

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In the midst of conversations about Linux on Chrome OS, the subject of a full desktop environment came up and that's exactly what we're diving into today. While you can install Linux apps to your heart's content from the terminal and those apps will have their own GUI (graphical user interface), a lot of users still want to have an actual desktop with shortcuts, widgets and what have you. Personally, I've grown to love the fact that Chrome OS doesn't even have the ability to have a cluttered desktop but I also know that many users have long asked for the ability to add widgets to the desktop and that's fine but I don't particularly believe it's on the roadmap. Linux users who make the switch to Chrome OS may want a desktop environment simply for the familiarity and that's totally understandable. Therefore, I set out to see if it would be feasible to put and actual Linux desktop on a Chromebook. Here's what I came up with.
Install KDE: sudo apt-get install task-kde-desktop
Launch: starteKDE
Set up your Chromebook for Linux apps: chromeunboxed.com/the-command...
Read more: chromeunboxed.com/installing-...
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[@KingZero69]

“How do you do, fellow kids?”

[@MrDarren690]

I don't like that I laughed at this. Goodness. Take your like and go.

[@karmanyaahm]

Tauday.com

[@themilesplaysgames7641]

lol

[@zerjiozerjio]

@@MrDarren690 Same... :/

[@dindnt]

Um...

[@Ironic_Jihad]

What a great public service you are doing! Helping us get the most out of what we have. Thanks

[@twisbrogan]

Excellent that. Had been wondering about this recently and really shows how useful Chrome OS is becoming.

[@abdullahitobe4795]

can it run roblox? no. chrome os is shit.

[@VACHMETA]

old people -_-

[@collinleimer2361]

After I ran the sudo install kde desktop thing, everything downloaded, but when I went to startkde, it said command not found. I looked into my apps and I could find kde listed, I dont know what i did wrong.

[@leroyreynolds5472]

Awesome video. Installed this just as you laid it out and it works flawlessly. I've started folding (based on one of your CU posts) and this is the seamless way to do that. I open up the Linux app for folding@home and send it to a 2nd virtual desktop and let it run in the background on my Samsung Galaxy Chromebook--figured there's enough processing power there to spare. Keep up the great work at Chrome Unboxed!

[@bonespiel]

Wow this is absolutely exciting! Now I have a even greater desire to upgrade to a more powerful Chromebook!

[@EvanTateMusic]

I've had difficulty getting this work on my Chromebook. Do you know of any issues with a MediaTek Octa-Core ARM Cortex A73/A53?

[@gilliganfetixsh]

Everything worked fine till I got to the startkde command. It said command not found.

[@MrBackin5ive]

The same hat, "just turned around backwards." I didn't catch that the first time around, and it made me smile :3

[@n9ine.]

i dont get it.

[@tauon_]

+ExixFn You’re joking.

[@luvlaina4165]

for me when i typed startkde it said command not found.

[@WolferStreet]

i installed and typed startkde but said command not found

[@lucamorariu760]

same have you found a solution

[@sjuettre]

Hey, kde won't start when I put in the command startkde and I wonder if you have any idea what to do.

[@_partsunknown_]

Are the Chrome OS updates also updating my Linux container? Or should I be backing up the files I want to keep and wiping out that container in exchange for a new one from time to time (if so what frequency)? Thanks!

[@raykirkland555]

So I have typed in terminal 10 times what you said type in and it says command not found can you help me out here please thank you

[@sabinoaguirre4548]

Talk about prefect timing, I was actually starting to look into Linux on Chrome OS. Now to see what I can do with it, thanks!

[@odysseusjak]

Very cool! Thanks for sharing this.

[@EdisonMedicine]

can someone tell me the command you use if it doesn't originally work? He said it's in description but it's not? I'm typing startkde and it's stating that command isn't found? I'm lost

[@RealTechnoPanda]

Super cool! How much RAM to run kde smoothly?

[@Myactivechannel]

8

[@johnowens4433]

Maybe this is somewhere in the comments but I didn't see it. I installed but startkde gets me command not found. What is the solution?

[@MrSenglish12]

Hi can I ask you a question please I have just tried to open cricut design on my chromebook hp it will download but wont open. My question is if I download linus will cricut design work thank you

[@PIR4T0R]

Can anyone help me startkde dosnt work and startplasma-x11 startet the desktop but crashed while loading

[@surgewater3540]

I installed cura 3dpinting software on my chromebook using the turmenal but I need help download stl file on cura do you need to download a browser and desktop software to

[@Mr.Pootispenserhere]

Whenever I try putting in the startup code, it just tells me that it can't find the command, and it doesnt start up kde, is it just because its a newer version of linux?

[@MrBackin5ive]

Why did you choose KDe, as opposed to something like xfce? What are we looking at in terms of memory swap, gpu acceleration, and does crostini on stable provide the option to, essentially, mitigate gpu/cpu stress in chrome os, while trying to run and operate linux desktop within a container, like the one your built here? I ask because I believe that's how crouton was designed.

[@mossrun]

Thanks, works great! Considered changing OS to win10 on my Chromebook but intel atom X5 not well supported and buggy I am told plus, must remove protective screw and reflash BIOS. This is much easier, better and works well for me since I mainly wanted a better GUI

[@lazrea7129]

I went thru and it started warning me that packages r in attainable and started glitching my computer and opened 7 Linux APS windows all random glitchy images and I deleted Linux right then and there idk what Happened

[@freedom4life123]

does this linux come with any pen testing tools or can they be added?

[@robinsundbye4598]

got a question. i have run all the commands but i freeze up. says i dont have annough space on the device. how much space do i need? i have about 36 gb free. not so much space on this chromebook

[@radiolinux45]

I looking install Linux my Dell Chromebook do any with chrome OS as it is out of date no more security up how completely remove chrome OS ?

[@Quibus7]

When starting the desktop i get the error "-bash: startKDE: command not found" any solutions?

[@rosbyduhart5884]

will this work with a Cloud Ready machine? I changed a couple of my older windows machines over. If this would work with a Cloud Ready install that would be awesome.

[@SameerGuptacatchymango]

Rosby Duhart I believe it should, just need to enable crostini in the settings.

[@Sezaax]

After a reboot the comand startkde outputs: No protocol specified $DISPLAY is not set or cannot connect to the X server. What I have to do? The command cp /etc/X11/xinit/xinitrc ~/.xinitrc does nothing

[@virgiliopalacio5196]

Hi I got same message :(

[@martyatherfold9408]

Startkdt on terminal does nothing but all Linux apps are there. What is name of actual desktop app?

[@sangerjr3]

I have a million dollar question for you: Does sound work on your Linux install on that Pixelbook Go? I tried 3 Linux OS's all booted from USB and Mint ran the best with hardware but no sound drivers still. If it works on yours, then I need to try that OS.

[@emmanuelalva6597]

is there any distro that is universally compatible with any chromebook? my chrome book model doesn't show up on gallium supported devices

[@lucascalero4676]

The video and the article you posted is really helpful but I am currently stuck. I really need some help because I entered “startkde” but it’s says this command does not exists. I did some of the step in the article for the ones having trouble but I did not really help me. Is there another way to fix the error, if not could you give me a command to reset Chrome OS so I can try to get another Linux package?

[@titoelmito3214]

same

[@loreto1815]

Thanks! This worked for me. There are so many videos about tweaking this or that or going through lots of steps. Great for power users. Useless for me. Your video takes us through installation and actual startup. What a concept!

[@newstuffnsf5265]

its a never ending rabbit hole of fun! even if you dont have high technical skills

[@GurjotSingh-it9zy]

sir whenever I put startkde it says commant not found what should I do please tell

[@amberbrashear3944]

When I put in the install code, I received "E: Invalid operation get". My Linux environment has already been set up. Any clue what could be causing this?

[@danbartik4428]

Can we get more from this series?

[@josephstalin2647]

Wow, thia is very good, thank u!

[@overseek7980]

when i typed "sudo apt-get install task-kde-desktop" i got the message "0 upgraded, 1418 newly installed, 0 to remove and 0 not upgraded. Need to get 1198 MB of archives. After this operation, 3815 MB of additional disk space will be used. E: You dont have enough free space in /var/cache/apt/archives" i need help and idk how to fix this pls

[@mauricebb2870]

In terminal the very first command you have to put is, sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get dist-upgrade ,do this even before you set password and everything should work after that.

[@djross95]

You just have to love this stuff...and this channel. Let's install a Linux desktop on a Chromebook. Why? Because we can!

[@LouisBlanchard]

Bwaaaahhhh!! You got that right! Because we can!

[@notforbaken8283]

because its better den chrome os

[@harz5935]

Jaaaaaah maaan we can the future is now

[@pi3rlus]

your so right LOL

[@VACHMETA]

old people -_-

[@afleming7282]

I want to run the LightBurn software (Linux download) on my new Acer Chromebook Spin 311 so I really hope this works! It's a dot run executable.....anything else I should know?

[@KGingeri]

Really appreciate you guys and what you do. Video's are well done, accurate and helpful! 5 Star!! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 😊

[@VACHMETA]

old people -_-

[@LeighAnnH]

I tried this on my I5 pixel slate, but it's buggy. Crashes the whole slate and the desktop, when it works, is missing things and not scaling well. Could just be my lack of experience with kde though. Anyone else get it to work?

[@CaduceusJ]

Can you try to get WINE up and running in crostini?

[@jadenmackey3371]

It wont let me start the KDE. When i type, startkde, it says, bash: startkd: command not found. Someone have any advice?

[@WorldMusicBeats]

Wow! Perfect video! You helped me much! Thanks!

[@robloxianyt7611]

when i do it i get an error saying Unmet dependencies. Try 'apt --fix-broken install' with no packages (or specify a solution).

[@ericcornish1983]

Curious if it's possible to jailbreak a Chromebook to permanently install a Linux distro? If not is there a way to have Linux be the default OS instead of chromeOS or is it always locked to always run chromeOS with Linux in a container?

[@tomw3863]

3 likes no answers

[@thejagtimes]

@@tomw3863 6 likes no answers

[@hectorchomat]

Hi I am new to this channel. I read somewhere else that you need to have Kernel 4.4 for to be able to install Linux on Chromebook. My Chromebook Kernel is 3.2. Any suggestions for installing Linux on this Chromebook?

[@JuanGuillermoSanchezPerez]

Asus Chromebook flip c302c is not on the list for linux beta. Is there any way to run Linux on that specific model?

[@iandebnath9159]

On the hp chromebook x360 12,only the apps are installed but no kde interface is comming after running the command.....

[@Dyzzboi]

hey i installed kde and tried the startkde command but its not working saying startkde command not found

[@redgaming4114]

try startplasma-x11 for me it didnt work when i tried it it went to the splash screen but there was no window border and the mouse was clicking behind it and i think its broken at least for me

[@BrianBarton]

Will this work with an Acer 24" Chromebase as well? Automatic update support has ended so I'd like to go Ubuntu on it now.

[@harrysemple9770]

real helpful stuff mate cheers

[@MrBackin5ive]

Is the gesture flag available for crouton? Xfce runs the best, bcuz it has a low impact similar to lxde, but with all the goodies you'd want that lxde doesn't offer. I run software like LibreOffice, and play games using crouton, like borderlands 2, without a single issue. That said, what do I have to gain apart from supporting the crouton project, as I've been doing since 2013?

[@toastbadoinks7448]

bruh i have been trying to install the desktop for so long and you fixed it not even 15 minutes! ty! Subscription earned :P

[@jits1]

Will this procedure work on the original ASUS Chrombox I believe it was the CN60. 2GB RAM. 16GB storage....Thanks. ( note I have 6GB RAM and 32GB storage i upgraded this machine)

[@angelarae63]

I’m using my chrome book with Linux for web dev. What do I need to enable in order to swipe between desktops like you were doing in this video.?

[@doomsdaymachiene91]

buy a thinkpad. Of course I'm just sarcastic, please, don't listen to me, cromebooks are super cool, and don't let anyone change your mind

[@RossSherman]

Now to install steam here and launch a few games ... How does it handle audio?

[@carloshex]

Hi Thanks for the tutorial. I followed all the steps but when I try to launch KDE, I get the following message on the terminal: command not found. What should I do? Thank you!

[@williambickley]

+1

[@thejagtimes]

same!

[@HoBoXx187NiNjAxX]

Same here, idk

[@rieley9566]

What is the command sudoaptgetinstalltask-kde-desktop is that it?

[@Lp-ze1tg]

I installed Libreoffice on the Chromebook but the Libreoffice crashed in a matter of minutes after launching. I found that Libreoffice work s really week in Linux. Will running KDE on Chromebook with Libreoffice make a difference? Thank you

[@marecofason6616]

I've activated the "desktop skin" and my screen went black so I turned it off and now my "desktop theme" disappeared :( how do I get back to it! ( and my linux seems to be still on I'm just on regular Chromebook theme )

[@jodyporter3879]

Sounds great, I'm still running KDE Plasma through crouton but I've been thinking of updating

[@owainharris]

KDE is amazing, best DE in my opinion. It's also just as lightweight as XFCE these days.

[@kevhynaleks2631]

Can I download from somewhere this old KDE-plasma repo, which still worked with "startkde" command? Around december 2020 they updated the KDE. The issue is not that, because they have new command - startplasma-x11 - but because they put several new staff into the KDE, it not working anymore on Chromebooks. It starting with the new command, but after the logo circling through 1 minutes ending, and lead back to the terminal with several errors. I have Pixelbook 1. POSSIBLE TO DOWNLOAD THE 2020 march KDE-plasma from somewhere???

[@caclayton2007]

Did you find a solution? I am having the same problems that you were having and I was wondering if you figured anything out.

[@kevhynaleks2631]

@@caclayton2007 I found a solution, without perfection. But the KDE desktop working much better as here (with normal taskbar and start menu). But with a small issue: all of this in a window, even with fullscreen there is a top bar. But KDE working like charm, but the illusion not perfect. How this working. KZbin not allowing to link here, so I give u the full instructions. It using Xephyr... Here's how to actually run a desktop in Crostini What you need: - desktop environment of your choice (in our case KDE) - Knowing the start command for your desktop environment (in our case startplasma-x11) - xserver-xephyr (installed via `sudo apt install xserver-xephyr) How to do it: Open Crostini terminal, and type Xephyr :2 -resizeable (note the capital). You should get a black window where your cursor disappears when you go inside it. Open a new Crostini tab. (On the Terminal icon "Open new window" In that new tab, type DISPLAY=:2 startplasma-x11 Open the Xephyr window (should have a penguin icon) and you should see a small version of your desktop environment. You will find that the KDE desktop is running but covering only about ⅔ of the screen. Click on the KDE menu launcher, select Applications>System>Konsole. In the KDE Konsole type and enter xrandr. The KDE desktop is now full screen. That's all.... Still no solution for the absolute fullscreen, because this running through xephyr, but better than the nothing.

[@caclayton2007]

@@kevhynaleks2631 Thanks a bunch! Everything works perfectly.

[@StevePilgrim2013]

Great video! The "enable Linux," terminal, Crouton, Crostini - what I call levels of Linux - have been really fuzzy. Your articles & videos are beginning to make it all much clearer! We're not yet running the latest Mint or Ubuntu on Chromebooks, but the future looks bright. Many thanks.

[@pepijnkrijnsen4]

I mean, you can :) if you're okay with losing ChromeOS.

[@user-np7df4lv1g]

Thank you so much... This was very simple

[@PeterTerpstra7]

Can i install a single application and leaving the desktop unchanged?

[@Lee-os1if]

6:40 can you put the error command in the description, I can't find it anywhere

[@Elionsopa07]

did you fix it?

[@harishankargharai3293]

when will my Chromebook get Linux support I have been using Asus c302 for a long now......please answer?

[@andrewjardine3924]

awesome stuff guys - 10 out of 10... waiting with baited breath for your video on shotcut

[@elijahbeckers7200]

same ;-;

[@pbneeks]

I went through the entire install and seem to install correctly. I entered startKDE command but I keep getting "command not found." I rebooted my pixelbook go and re-ran the KDE install, says KDE is already at newest version, but I am still getting the "Command not found" when entering "startKDE" command. Am I missing something?

[@heinzpilot]

I'm having the same issue on my Pixelbook.

[@Hexbyte965]

type startkde NOT startKDE, it is case sensitive. Hope that helps.

[@ayanalikhan-fe5xc]

in the description it says it is starteKDE

[@floydxenex]

Hello! Do you know if I can install windows on an Acer Chromebook R13 CB5 312T?

[@JoseAngelFlores]

Great video but I tried twice, reseted my system, tried again and I get the 'no command found', something is missing. Pixelbook i7.

[@ReneeThompson-ef4yq]

My install went well but when I try to startkde I get error -bash: startkde: command not found Do you know what might have happened. Thanks

[@redgaming4114]

they changed it its now startplasma-x11

[@jeremyjensen2772]

So I've tried this process about 5 times one my Samsung Chromebook 4 and it has failed every time. I also can't get a basic .Deb file for betaflight running. Maybe my mistake is updating Linux first, should I just leave it alone? IDK. I'll keep trying I guess

[@martinodefranceschi4494]

Which chromebook model is that?

[@JohnnyUmphress]

I remember when Chromebook first came out several years ago you could load Linux as a dual boot OS. That when you started the laptop it prompted you as to which OS you wanted to start.

[@hiarvingarcia]

What's the best specification of a chromebook to get the best experience and productivity using Linux? Thank you.

[@LouisBlanchard]

As with all other platforms... Like Windows, Mac, etc.. depends what you want to do, video editing, browsing the internet, reading books. That will determine how much power one really needs. ☺️

[@cuistotadomicile]

Hi could you install Chrome Os Flex on an old chromebook and also talk about LaCrOs install in a no longer supported update by Google chromebook

[@alexhollowell5016]

i want to install arduino IDE on chrome book with Linux everyone said it was better and free as compared to google app. any idea`s how

[@heinzwellnitz5222]

hi can u use it on any chrome os computer

[@jacobabdallah8023]

I had that problem he talked about and idk the command because its not in the description

[@DADREEZXSARA4OVA33]

thanks really !! amazing video dude .... greez !!

[@myEPublic]

Great video! Unfortunately it doesn't work on the current version of Crostini and KDE. There were several videos and articles from 2020 all documenting the same procedure. There don't seem to be any articles or videos after 2020 that show an updated procedure that actually works. This is pretty typical of Linux "How-To"s--they tend to have a very short shelf-life, and the poor reader spends an inordinate amount of time trying to get something to work that is destined for failure. If the authors could verify the failures, and then pull their content, that would be a big help in not wasting people's time.

[@braedenmiller8538]

Anyway to fix this or do something about it

[@jessebaker9430]

Same problem here. I've noticed that shelf life thing about these how-tos as well. I think I'm just giving up on this one for now.

[@BrotherKaif]

Great series! One bit of feedback, it would be great if you could put the terminal commands on screen when you talk about them to help people who are following along 🙂

[@jddiggy2343]

Agreed

[@ScutoidStudios]

theyre in the description, which is better since you can copypaste

[@popstone116]

Click on CC. That will show what you want.

[@nathanmads7294]

uhmmmmmmm i need some help my linux is saying apt --fix-broken install' with no packages (or specify a solution).

[@jimmitchell3803]

I’ve loaded the distro, but the desktop isn’t working. Mostly giving me authority errors. Any idea what I’ve done wrong? Thanx

[@keyenterprise2959]

I'm new to this but I installed this program and I initiated " starteKDE" but it come up as "command not found" how do I resolve this?

[@tippydoesrhythmgames1328]

Put startplasma-x11

[@cruz6538]

What chromebook is that in the video? Looks clean. Also, what linux is that?

[@Coentjeeee]

Can I use KDE en Chrome OS? Or is it just one

[@Happilyevergaming.]

When i type in the launch command it says -bash: starteKDE: command not found

[@nicholasapplebee2069]

So I ran into an issue running this. My chromebook uses an aarch64 ABI which can not run the program once installed. Instead I installed flatpak and got a suitable app from flathub to do what I wanted. Hopefully the hours I spent troubleshooting this will help someone else.

[@premchouhan1234]

how to delete ? i have install but now i want to uninstall

[@jits1]

How much storage LInux used ? Can it be installed on he microSD card ?....Thanks

[@terriclifford9080]

Before running Linux on my chromebook, I want to know if I can run windows games on it?

[@nfuel99]

Can we install wine in the chromeos and install msword