Chrome OS Flex will give legacy devices a fresh start.
Chrome OS Flex, a new version of Chrome OS for ageing PC and Mac users, has been released by Google. The new version is built on the same code base as Chrome OS and will be distributed alongside the software for Chromebooks and other Chrome OS PCs. Some Chrome OS capabilities, such as background updates, sandboxing, Web applications, and Android phone notification synchronisation, will be available on the new operating systems. According to the firm, users will be able to download an early access version of Chrome OS Flex on their PCs or run it from a live USB.
Google has outlined the new free-to-download Chrome OS Flex operating system, which is designed for companies and schools, in a blog post. According to Google, the new operating system, like Chrome OS, provides access to Web apps and virtualization, boots up quickly, and provides background system upgrades. Chrome OS Flex will also have proactive security features such as sandboxing and anti-virus, anti-ransomware, and anti-phishing protection. Chrome OS Flex, according to the firm, can be installed fast via USB sticks or over a network, and a user's cloud profile, preferences, bookmarks, and policies will sync once they log in.
Users using Chrome OS Flex will have access to the official Chrome browser, Google Assistant, and cross-platform capabilities like notification synchronisation with Android smartphones. According to Google, IT managers would be able to manage Chrome OS Flex devices alongside standard Chrome OS devices. Chrome OS Flex users, unlike Chromebook, Chromebox, and Chromebase users, do not appear to have access to the Google Play store.
It's not the first time Google's cloud-based operating system has been made accessible for non-Chromebook users to download. Neverware previously produced CloudReady, an operating system based on the open-source Chromium OS that was utilised by schools and corporations. In 2020, Google purchased Neverware, which was instrumental in the development of Chrome OS Flex for PC and Mac users. Google has promoted the benefits of Chrome OS for older hardware, such as rapid bootup times, updates, proactive security, and easy administration, and claims that the operating system does not slow down with time.
Users with a suitable PC or Mac machine and an empty USB drive may test out an early access version of Chrome OS Flex right immediately, according to Google. Before downloading the new operating system, users will need to fill out a form and check to see whether their devices are on the list of certified models.
- Visit the Chrome web store on Windows, macOS, or Chrome OS.
- Search for the Chromebook Recovery Utility and download the extension.
- Launch the Chromebook Recovery Utility extension, then click Get Started.
- Now choose from Select a model from a list, Select a manufacturer, or Select a product.
- Click on Continue, then insert your USB drive when prompted.
- Select your USB drive from the menu, click Continue and then click Create now.
Users may then boot a live version of Chrome OS Flex from the USB disc without risking their current system. They can also choose to install the OS on the PC or Mac permanently. However, Google warns that the OS is still in early stages of development and that users may encounter some instabilities. According to Google, a stable version of Chrome OS Flex will be available in the coming months, and CloudReady users will be able to upgrade for free to Chrome OS.
