Install Linux On A Chromebook (No Rooting!)

[@ruthake]

To get function keys: Go to chrome://flags in the Chrome browser Select Disabled in the dropdown next to "Enable improved keyboard shortcuts" flag Restart Chromebook Search+1 to Search+= are now the F1 to F12 keys To access ChromeOS files from Terminal: In ChromeOS Files App: Right click on MyFiles > Share with Linux In Terminal App: cd /mnt/chromeos/MyFiles To get keyboard shortcuts: Open Keyboard Shortcuts in app drawer Shortcut to Keyboard Shortcuts: Search+Ctrl+S Questions are welcome and encouraged. Due to the design of KZbin's comment section, posting questions under the pinned comment or under another user's comment makes it difficult for me to find and answer questions. Please do not post your questions under the pinned comment or under other user's questions. Please create a new comment.

[@GeorgeBakalovPRO]

Just got a brand new ASUS Chromebook and was about to root it when I found your video! Brilliant! Working like a charm!

[@Rapmasa]

OMG!! 🤯🥳🥳 MARRY ME!! You are the best!!! I spent all day trying to find how to set a password and all the smartys on Chrome help were suggesting all these ways ... nothing worked and you made it as simple as ABC 123 😂😂 TY🤩🤩🤩

[@dudebro-e3k]

real life Velma lol next video you should wear an orange turtleneck

[@pidscalnybrad]

Hey, i really enjoy your videos. Keep killing it!

[@DaC-ul6vo]

TBH I AM NOT THE ONE WHO USUALLY HITS THE LIKE BUTTON NOR DO I COMMENT BUT LET ME TELL YOU RUTH..... THANK YOU SO MUCH SERIOUSLY SO FAR EVERY SINGLE VIDEO VERY VERY WELL EXPLAINED I JUST SO HAPPY I HAVE NOT GOTTEN BORED LISTENING TO YOU UNLIKE OTHERS NO DISRESPECT TOWARDS THEM BUT BIG PLUS TO YOU! I REALLY DO MEAN THAT... ANOTHER TBH OTHER JUST TELL YOU HOW TO INSTALL OR WHATEVER IT MAYBE BUTI WOULD NOT BE WATCHING A VIDEO OFF OF YOU TUBE IF I KNEW WHAT I WAS DOING LET ALONE UNDERSTANDING & LEARNING WHATIAM DOING AS I AM DOING IT.... AGAIN NO DISRESPECT TO ANY OTHER YOU TUBER BECAUSE I MAY HAVE NOT SEEN EVERY VIDEO HOW TO INSTALL THIS OR THAT I AM JUST PUTTING IT OUT THERE THAT RUTH AKE DOES AN EXCELLENT JOB EXPLAINING THE PROCESSES AND PROCEDURES REGARDING HER VIDEOS! RUTH KEEP PUTTING OUT VIDEOS LIKE YOU HAVE BEEN AND YOU HAVE JUST EARNED YOURSELF ANOTHER FAN / SUBSCRIBE! TY!!!!!!!

[@sgstiffler]

I have a Chromebook that will stop receiving updates in June 2024. I am already starting to look into extending the life of my Chromebook. I already have Linux enabled on my Chromebook and I watched your video on getting Linux desktop on a Chromebook, not just the terminal. Can I install a Linux desktop on my Chromebook, boot to Linux, and remove the Chrome OS?

[@ruthake]

Short answer is yes, however it does run the risk of bricking the Chromebook. It requires entering developer mode which will erase all data on the Chromebook. I would recommend backing up your data before and then create a ChromeOS Recovery chip with the Chromebook Recovery Utility extension. Try to download a live Linux ISO to test on your Chromebook before installing Linux. You can use the Chromebook Recovery Utility to create a Linux install USB or SD card. You'll need twice as much free space as the size of the ISO, this should usually be no more than 8 GB. From the ChromeOS side in the Chrome browser, go to the Chrome Web Store and download the Chromebook Recovery Utility (chromewebstore.google.com/detail/chromebook-recovery-utili/pocpnlppkickgojjlmhdmidojbmbodfm ). To create a ChromeOS recovery chip, from the ChromeOS side, put the Chromebook online, plug in the chip to be used as recovery, start Chrome browser, from Extensions (puzzle piece at top right) select Chromebook Recovery Utility. I recommend taking a picture of the model number and then follow the prompts. The Chromebook Recovery Utility can be used to create a Linux install chip, I would recommend using a live Linux install if possible. Once the desired ISO is installed, take the Chromebook offline. The ISO file should be zipped so the Chromebook Recovery Utility can see it. To select the ISO, click on the settings gear at the top right and select Use local image. Then follow the prompts. Developer Mode: chromium.googlesource.com/chromiumos/docs/+/HEAD/developer_mode.md Debug Button Shortcuts: chromium.googlesource.com/chromiumos/docs/+/HEAD/debug_buttons.md ChromiumOS Developer Guide: chromium.googlesource.com/chromiumos/docs/+/main/developer_guide.md Firmware Management Parameters: www.chromium.org/chromium-os/fwmp/ Here's a video that is similar to what you'll need: kzbin.info/www/bejne/f5XFoZmLjaibqNU We are currently studying options for replacing ChromeOS with Linux.

[@sgstiffler]

Thank you for that detailed reply. I am waiting for June when I can no longer receive Chrome OS updates to install Linux

[@tiffanygreen8990]

​@@sgstifflerI'm curious to know how everything worked out for you?

[@Baraketh]

Hi Ruth, First I would like to thank you for the great content which you're doing. Your chanel is a bright light in a dark tunnel I've found myself :) Is there a way to modify your guide in a way to install different version (e.g. Mint) of linux ? I would be gratefull for an answer. Greetings

[@ruthake]

We've been experimenting with this idea, and the best way we've found so far is to turn Debian into a derived distro such as Mint. We haven't tested Mint which is derived from Debian. I am hoping to release a video this week on how to turn Debian into Kali.

[@wondroususername]

If you don't have the option in for Linux development environment, is the device unable to manage Linux AT ALL or just with this method?

[@ruthake]

This is the list of ChromeOS systems supporting Linux on ChromeOS: www.chromium.org/chromium-os/chrome-os-systems-supporting-linux/ If that option is not available, there are more aggressive methods of installing Linux. The Chrome Unboxed Team covers alternative methods for installing Linux on Chromebooks. Chrome Unboxed Links: www.youtube.com/@chromeunboxed chromeunboxed.com/

[@fabienmargerie6815]

Another Linux friend, cool video.👍😎 See you soon. 👋🌞

[@richt6353]

Thank You!

[@portal2exe787]

hey you make good content

[@mofomushrooms4973]

Amazing video. Keep it up

[@TheMrjitusolanki]

Simple and clear

[@louaguado995]

Great tutorial, thank you

[@anhsrk]

THIS VIDEO IS GAS!!!!!!!!!!

[@ahmetagrbas7010]

❤

[@markchadwick77]

when will Chromebook Linux update to Debian 12 (Bookworm)?

[@ruthake]

My devices are at version 119. It looks like Bookworm will start at version 121. If you switch to the dev channel, this would involve power washing your system and would erase all your data, 121 would then be available. Debian 12 has moved to Wayland which may be disruptive. One possible solution is to edit the /etc/apt/sources.list file and change bullseye to bookworm. From a terminal: sudo apt update -y sudo apt full-upgrade -y The Google way from a terminal: cd /opt/google/cros-containers/bin/ sudo ./upgrade_container DEBIAN_BOOKWORM If you continue with Debian 12 and watch the How To Install And Get A Linux Desktop On A Chromebook! (No Rooting!) video, use the following go script after installing LXDE: sudo nano /usr/bin/gol sommelier -X --glamor Xephyr -br -fullscreen -resizeable :20 & sleep 5 DISPLAY=:20 startlxde & Ctrl-O, Enter, and Ctrl-X to save sudo chmod +x /usr/bin/gol When the log in screen opens, minimize it, and enter gol as normal from the terminal.

[@ruthake]

UPDATE - In addition to the previous explanation, I recommend disabling lightdm. This only needs to be done once. The Google way from a terminal: cd /opt/google/cros-containers/bin/ sudo ./upgrade_container DEBIAN_BOOKWORM From a terminal: sudo systemctl status lightdm sudo systemctl disable lightdm sudo systemctl status lightdm

[@sqlexp]

Are we going to get Debian 12 in ChromeOS 120?

[@ruthake]

I recommend backing up Linux first before upgrading to Debian 12. This can be done in Chromebook Settings > Advanced > Developers > Linux development environment > Backup & restore > Backup. I have not tried this myself, but I believe the standard Debian upgrade procedure will work: wiki.debian.org/DebianUpgrade I also recommend NOT doing the "sudo shutdown -r now" and shutting down using the method described in the video (3:24).

[@sqlexp]

Can we install multiple Linux containers in ChromeOS?

[@ruthake]

Yes, if the container system breaks, it will be necessary to completely remove and then reinstall Linux. I recommend backing up Linux first in Chromebook Settings > Advanced > Developers > Linux development environment > Backup & restore > Backup. Method 1: I'll be making a future video on "Manage extra containers". In the Chrome browser on the ChromeOS side: Go to chrome://flags Search for "allow multiple crostini containers" Select Enabled for the pulldown Restart the Chromebook After restarting, Linux containers can be added in Chromebook Settings > Advanced > Developers > Linux development environment > Manage extra containers. Clicking on the Create button and then clicking the Advanced pulldown will allow you to put in the Image Server and Image Alias. Method 2: Chromebooks use the LXC container system. I'll be making future videos on the Chromebook LXC container system. There are a lot of websites, books, and videos dedicated to LXC. Open Crosh Terminal from Chrome browser on ChromeOS and go to the URL chrome-untrusted://crosh or try the shortcut Alt+Ctrl+T. At this point, you will be at the ChromeOS command line. You can do help or help_advanced for more information. Start termina virtual machine: vmc start termina If termina is already running, connect to it: vsh termina From termina, you can do LXC commands to manage containers. For more help: lxc --help The issue with non Google containers, is the bridge software that connects the container to the outside world. This will affect communications and GUI applications. Cros Container Guest Tools is Google's bridge software (chromium.googlesource.com/chromiumos/containers/cros-container-guest-tools/ ). Bazel build is the install software recommended by Google. By default, Google uses Canonical (Ubuntu) containers. The list can be found here: us.lxd.images.canonical.com/ Here's a list of ChromeOS definitions and links: chromium.googlesource.com/chromiumos/docs/+/HEAD/containers_and_vms.md

[@skerpent]

Yo I'm subbing

[@andrewtranguch2140]

I can’t type when I’m trying put my password in

[@ruthake]

The password won't be visible while keying it in. The password can be set as many times as you'd like.

[@gerardolopez8202]

Wow 😅

[@dh5680]

yooooooooooo