How To Install Windows On Chromebook

Chromebooks don’t officially support Windows and generally, we can’t install Windows on a Chromebook. However, on many Chromebooks, there are several unofficial ways to install Windows. This is not generally recommended by Google but it gets the job done perfectly.

Chromebook

Step 1: Requirements for Installation of Windows

There is a special type of BIOS on Chromebooks for Chrome OS. To install Windows, you have to consider the following things.

• You have to Install a replacement BIOS (a UEFI firmware) for your Chromebook so that you could boot and install Windows. But keep in mind that replacement BIOS can only be installed on supported Chromebook models, so it can’t be done on every model of Chromebook.
• You’ll need some additional hardware like a USB keyboard and mouse to install Windows because your built-in keyboard and mouse of your Chromebook won’t work in the installer.
• Also, a PC running Windows to create the USB installation media is a must-have.
• Bear in mind that even after installing Windows, you are not in safe waters. Windows don’t have hardware drivers for Chromebook like the touchpads etc. You may find third-party drivers of your Chromebooks if you’re lucky. These drivers are packed together for Windows to support for these components.
• Also, data from your Chromebook will be wiped, so make sure you don’t have anything important stored on it.

During this installation process if your Chromebook ever appears to freeze or become stuck you can force the Chromebook to shut down by holding down the Power button for ten seconds or so.

Step 2: Can it be done for Your Chromebook?

Windows cannot be installed on every Chromebook but only in specific models. Installation instruction for Windows on different models will be different and you have to follow instructions for your Chromebook model. Follow these helpful resources:

• Check if your Chromebook is supported . List of Chromebook Supported models can be found here , with all the information about built-in hardware components whether they will or will not work afterward.
• This website will provide you with detailed installation instructions of the Chromebook model by selecting the model of your Chromebook and get installation instructions, with links to hardware drivers that will enable hardware of your Chromebook to work.
• This community is devoted to installing Windows on Chromebooks. To find whether a Chromebook or specific hardware component can or can be made to support Windows, you can search for details on this site .

The Windows installation process will be similar for many models of Chromebook, but some things e.g. the location of the write-protect screw on the motherboard can be a bit different.

Step 3: Remove the Write Protect Screw

BIOS of Chromebook is locked by a special hardware feature that prevents you from modifying it, called write protect. To disable this feature, you will have to open up the Chromebook, locate the write-protect screw, and remove it. On some Chromebooks, there will be a write protection switch instead of a write-protect screw.

1. Turn off Chromebook, if not already off, don’t put Chromebook to sleep but shut it down completely.
2. Flip over the Chromebook.
3. Unscrew all the screws at the bottom to remove the plastic panel and gain access to the motherboard. Do not lose the screws. Bottom View of Chromebook
4. Locate the write-protect screw or write-protect switch. You can find more documentation about the screw of your Chromebook by searching the internet with the model name and number of your Chromebook plus “ write protect screw ”. For our Chromebook, the location of the screw was as the image below Locate the write-protect screw
5. The write-protect screw looks visibly different from all other screws on the motherboard. The write-protect screw on our Chromebook was in dark gray while the other screws on the motherboard were bright silver. There was a bright silver under the screw whereas the other screws on the motherboard had a bronze color under them. Looks of Write-Protect Screw
6. Remove the write-protect screw and re-attach the bottom cover of the Chromebook. Now you can write to and modify the BIOS of your Chromebook. Keep the write-protect screw at some safe place so if you ever wanted to write-protect your BIOS again later.

Step 4: Enable Developer Mode

Now “Developer Mode” is to be enabled on your Chromebook. Chromebooks are locked down for security purposes and will only boot if the operating system is properly signed after checking the OS for tampering and preventing users and applications from modifying the Chrome OS. In Developer Mode you can disable all these security features, so you have a laptop to tweak and play with to your heart’s content.

When Developer Mode is enabled, you’ll be able to access a Linux terminal within Chrome OS and do whatever you like.

There are two quick warnings you should understand:

• Enabling and Disabling Developer Mode erases and Wipe data on Your Chromebook : So, for the process of enabling Developer Mode, your Chromebook will be “ power washed .” All the user accounts, their files, and data will be removed from your Chromebook. Of course, most of your data should be stored online, and afterward, you can access that data by logging into the Chromebook with the same Google account.
• Google Doesn’t Offer Support for Developer Mode : Developer mode is not officially supported by Google. It’s for the use of developers and power users. Google won’t provide support for this stuff. And the basic “This may void your warranty” warnings apply, so in other words in case of hardware failure in developer mode, just disable developer mode before getting warranty support.

Developer Mode Warning

To enable developer mode on modern Chromebooks, hold down the Esc and Refresh keys and tap the Power button to enter recovery mode . In Older Chromebooks, there were physical developer switches that you’ll need to toggle instead.

So, when at the recovery screen press Ctrl+D to agree to the prompt, and you’ll boot into developer mode.

OS Verification off Warning

Now, whenever you will boot your Chromebook, a warning screen will show. To continue boot either you have to press Ctrl+D or wait for 30 seconds so that warning could disappear.

This warning screen is to alert the user that the Chromebook is in developer mode and normal security measures are not intact.

Chromebook is in developer mode

Step 5: Flash the BIOS of Chromebook

Now you can flash your Chromebook’s BIOS From within Chrome OS. To open the terminal window, press Ctrl+Alt+T.

1. In the terminal type “ shell ” and Hit “ Enter ” to access the Linux shell environment. Linux shell
2. In the terminal Window Run the below command to download and run the script that will replace your Chromebook’s BIOS:

cd ~; curl -L -O https://raw.githubusercontent.com/MrChromebox/scripts/master/firmware-util.sh; sudo bash firmware-util.sh

This command will change your home directory, download the script file and will run with root privileges. Consult the developer’s website if you want more details about the working of this script.

The command to Run Script

1. This script will present a helpful interface for the completion of the installation process. In the list, you have to choose the “ Custom coreboot Firmware (Full ROM) ” option by typing “ 3 ” and “ Enter ”. Custom coreboot Firmware (Full ROM)
2. Enter “ Y ” to agree to flash your firmware and then Enter “ U ” to install a UEFI firmware. If you select the “ Legacy ” option you will not be able to run Windows. Agree to Flash Firmware and UEFI
3. The script will offer to create a backup of the Chromebook’s stock BIOS and copy it on a USB drive for you. You must create this backup copy and store it somewhere safe in case if you ever want to restore the Chromebook’s original BIOS in the future.
4. Don’t leave the BIOS backup copy on the USB. Now You will have a .rom file that you can copy from the USB drive and store at some safe place after completion of the process. BIOS backup
5. After completion of the backup process, the script will download and replace the Coreboot firmware onto your Chromebook. Power the Chromebook off when it’s finished. Script Completion Notice
6. At this point, you can re-install the write-protect screw, if you want.

Step 6: Create a Windows Installation Drive

To install Windows onto Chromebook you will have to make the Windows installation media first. But it cannot be done by using Microsoft’s official method, instead, you will download an ISO and burn it to a USB drive using a tool “ Rufus ” for which you will use a Windows PC.

1. Visit this website Click the “ Download tool now ”, select “ Create installation media for another PC ”, and download an ISO file . Check ISO File Option
2. Download and run the Rufus utility, which you’ll use to create your Windows installer USB drive .
3. Plug a USB drive into the PC. This USB drive will be used for the Windows installer and any files on it will be erased So, nothing important to be stored on this USB.
4. Open Rufus, select your USB, & select “ GPT partition scheme for UEFI ” and “ NTFS ”. Click on the button located at the right of “ Create a bootable disk using ” and select the downloaded Windows 10 ISO image.
5. Double-check that Rufus says “ GPT partition scheme for UEFI” before you continue. Sometimes it automatically changes to its default setting after selecting the ISO file. Once again recheck that all the settings are correct, then click on the “ Start ” button to create a Windows USB drive installation media. Rufus Options

Step 7: Install Windows

Now it is time to install Windows on your Chromebook.

1. Insert the USB drive into the Chromebook and switch on the Chromebook.
2. It should now boot from the USB otherwise press any key when “ Select Boot Option ” appears on your screen after that select “ Boot Manager ” then select your USB device from the list and after that, you will be shown Windows installer. Boot Manager
3. Connect either a USB mouse or a USB keyboard or both to your Chromebook. You can get by with just a USB keyboard or USB mouse to interact with the Windows installer. Windows Installer Options
4. Install the Windows normally like you will install on a PC, installing Windows on your Chromebook in place of Chrome OS. Partition the internal drive as per your liking. We deleted all the internal partitions and told Windows to install itself using the allocated space. You don’t need a product key to install and use Windows 10 but you can add a product key within Windows 10 later. And for Chrome OS, if you wanted to revert to it, you will create a Chrome OS recovery disk on any system running Chrome and then use it to restore to the original Chrome OS. Partition the Internal Drive
5. The Windows installer will restart partway through. You should remove your USB drive when it does so, or the system will restart back to the start of the installer. If this happens, remove the USB drive, restart the Chromebook. It will boot Windows from your Chromebook’s internal drive and will complete the setup process

Step 8: Install Third-Party Drivers for Your Hardware

Now Windows should have been installed and the Chromebook will boot into Windows. You’re nearly there! You just have to install third-party drivers to make most out of the hardware of the Chromebook. USB keyboard and mouse will be needed for this.

Windows Installation Complete

These third-party drivers aren’t properly signed and Windows normally do not allow installation of these drivers, for which, we will enable a feature called “test signing”. This feature is designed for driver testing.

1. Open a Command Prompt as Administrator and Run the undermentioned command:

bcdedit -set testsigning on

1. Restart the Chromebook after running the above command. Driver Test Signing On
2. Now you can install the third-party drivers of your Chromebook recommended by the installation guide for the model of Chromebook. We installed drivers for the Chromebook’s chipset, rapid storage technology, Intel HD graphics, keyboard, Realtek HD audio, and trackpad.
3. Windows will display a security warning when you install these drivers because these drivers are unofficial which are not created by the manufacturer and aren’t signed by Microsoft Cooperation. Agree to install these drivers.
4. After completion of installation on our system, everything seemed to work fine on this model of Chromebook and we detached the USB keyboard and mouse and were able to use the Chromebook normally. The “ Search ” button of the Chromebook’s keyboard became a Windows key.

Hurrah! There it is you, now you turn your Chromebook in a very inexpensive, (hopefully) Windows PC. If something is not working as expectations, be sure to check with the helpful sources provided above to see if you need to install the new drivers or fix something that updating of Windows has broken.

How to Fix “Printer is in an error state” Issue?

• Common Chromebook printing issues include printer incompatibility, network connection problems, and outdated software or firmware.
• Solutions involve checking printer compatibility, ensuring both devices are on the same network, adding the printer manually, updating software, or using a USB connection.
• If issues persist, restart devices, troubleshoot the wireless connection, and update printer firmware; contacting support may be necessary for unresolved problems.

We’ve all been there—you need to print something important, and your Chromebook isn’t cooperating. Don’t worry; you’re not alone. Printing issues with Chromebooks are common but usually easy to fix.

Samsung Chromebook | Unsplash

• 1. Check Printer Compatibility
• 2. Connect Both Devices to the Same Network
• 3. Select Your Printer
• 4. Add Your Printer Manually
• 5. Restart Devices
• 6. Check Printer Settings
• 7. Update Chrome OS
• 8. Update Printer Firmware
• 9. Use a USB Connection (if applicable)
• 10. Troubleshoot Wireless Connection
• 11. Check for Print Quality Issues
• 12. Contact Support

In this guide, we’ll take you through straightforward steps to get your Chromebook working with your printer again. Let’s tackle this together, one step at a time.

But before we get into the solutions, let’s identify some common causes of printing issues on Chromebooks.

• Printer Incompatibility: Chromebooks have built-in drivers that may not be compatible with all printer models. Older printers or those requiring specific drivers may not work.
• Network Connection Problems: Both the Chromebook and printer must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network for wireless printing to work. Issues with the network configuration can prevent successful connections.
• USB Connection Issues: Problems with the USB cable or the USB ports on either device can cause printing failures when using a USB cable.
• Outdated Chrome OS: Running an outdated version of Chrome OS can lead to compatibility issues with printers.
• Outdated Printer Firmware: Older printer firmware may not work well with the latest Chrome OS versions, causing printing problems.

Chromebook Supported Printers by Epson

Now that you know the probable causes, check out the solutions below to fix the issue:

1. Check Printer Compatibility

Before attempting any fixes, ensure your printer is compatible with Chrome OS . Visit your printer manufacturer’s website to find information about your specific printer model and its compatibility with Chrome OS or Chromebook.

You can also check the list of ‘Certified “Works with Chromebook” printers’ on the Chromebook Help forum by Google . If your printer is listed, proceed to the next step. If not, you might need a compatible printer .

List of Printers Compatible with Chromebooks by Google | See Full List onChromebook Help

How This Helps: Ensuring printer compatibility with Chrome OS is crucial, as not all printers work seamlessly with Chromebooks. If incompatible, consider purchasing a different model verified to work with Chrome OS.

2. Connect Both Devices to the Same Network

1. Turn on your printer and connect it to your Wi-Fi network. Refer to your printer’s manual for instructions. Connect Your Printer to Wi-Fi | WikiHow
2. On your Chromebook, click the time in the bottom right corner to open the quick settings menu. Opening the quick settings menu on your Chromebook by clicking the time in the bottom right corner
3. Ensure your Chromebook is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your printer. If not, click the Wi-Fi icon and select your network. Ensure the Wi-Fi toggle is on and connected to the same network as your printer

How This Helps: Both devices need to be on the same network to communicate effectively. If they’re not, the Chromebook won’t find the printer, leading to printing failures.

3. Select Your Printer

1. Press Ctrl + P on your Chromebook to open the print dialog. Press Ctrl + P to open the print dialog on your Chromebook
2. In the print dialog, click the “Destination” dropdown and find your printer in the list. Select it and proceed to print. In the print dialog, select your printer from the ‘Destination’ dropdown
3. If your printer is not listed, click “See more” at the bottom. If your printer isn’t listed, click ‘See more’ at the bottom

How This Helps: Selecting the correct printer is essential for printing. If the wrong printer is selected, or if the printer is not visible, the print job won’t proceed. This step ensures the Chromebook recognizes and is set to use the correct printer.

4. Add Your Printer Manually

1. If your printer is not showing up, click on the time in the bottom right corner to open the quick settings menu. Opening the quick settings menu on your Chromebook by clicking the time in the bottom right corner
2. Click the gear icon ⚙️ to open Settings . Open the Settings Menu
3. Scroll down and click “Advanced” to expand advanced settings. Click on Advanced
4. Under “Printing” , click “Printers” . Click on Printers
5. Click on Add Printer icon Click Add Printer Icon
6. Enter the following information about your printer: Name: Give your printer a recognizable name. Address: Enter your printer’s IP address. Print a network configuration page from your printer to find this. Protocol: Select “Internet Printing Protocol (IPP)” . Fill in Your Printer Details
7. Click “Add” to save the printer settings. Click Add to Save the Printer

How This Helps: Manually adding your printer can resolve issues where automatic detection fails, allowing the Chromebook to communicate with the printer directly using its IP address.

5. Restart Devices

1. Turn off your printer and wait for about 30 seconds.
2. Turn your printer back on and wait for it to fully power up. Turn off your printer, wait 30 seconds, then turn it back on and wait for it to fully power up | WikiHow
3. On your Chromebook, click the time in the bottom right corner and select “Sign out” . Click the time and select ‘Sign out’
4. Sign back in to your Chromebook and check if the printer is now recognized.

How This Helps: Restarting both devices can clear temporary glitches or connectivity issues. This simple step often resolves many common problems.

6. Check Printer Settings

1. Click the time in the bottom right corner and select the gear icon ⚙️ to open Settings . Open the Settings Menu
2. Scroll down and click “Advanced” to expand advanced settings. Click on Advanced
3. Under “Printing” , click “Printers” . Click on Printers
4. Ensure that your printer is listed correctly with the right name and IP address.
5. If necessary, remove the printer by clicking on the three-dot menu next to it and selecting “Remove” .
6. Add the printer again manually using the steps in Section 4 .

How This Helps: Verifying and correcting printer settings ensures that the Chromebook is properly configured to communicate with the printer. Discrepancies in the printer name or IP address can lead to connection issues.

7. Update Chrome OS

1. Click the time in the bottom right corner and select the gear icon ⚙️ to open Settings . Open the Settings Menu
2. Scroll down and click “About Chrome OS” . Click ‘About Chrome OS’
3. Click “Check for updates” . Click on ‘Check for Updates’
4. If an update is available, it will start downloading automatically. Once downloaded, click “Restart” to install the update.

How This Helps: Keeping Chrome OS updated ensures you have the latest features, bug fixes, and compatibility improvements. Updates can resolve issues affecting printing functionality.

8. Update Printer Firmware

1. Visit your printer manufacturer’s website and search for your specific printer model.
2. Look for a “Support” or “Downloads” section and find the latest firmware update for your printer.
3. Follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer to download and install the firmware update on your printer.

Canon G1330 Support Page

How This Helps: Printer firmware updates can fix bugs and improve compatibility with newer operating systems, including Chrome OS. This is essential for ensuring that your printer functions correctly with your Chromebook.

9. Use a USB Connection (if applicable)

1. Ensure your printer is turned on and ready to print.
2. Connect your printer to your Chromebook using a USB cable.
3. A notification should appear on your Chromebook, asking if you want to set up the printer. Click “Set up” to proceed.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the USB printer setup.

Connect your Chromebook to the printer via USB | WikiHow

How This Helps: Using a USB connection can bypass network issues entirely, allowing you to print directly from your Chromebook. This method is often more reliable when wireless connections fail .

10. Troubleshoot Wireless Connection

1. On your printer, ensure Wi-Fi is enabled and connected to the correct Wi-Fi network.
2. Power cycle your printer by turning it off, waiting for 30 seconds , and then turning it back on.
3. Power cycle your Wi-Fi router by unplugging it from the power source, waiting for 30 seconds , and then plugging it back in.
4. Wait for the router to fully power up and reconnect your Chromebook and printer to the Wi-Fi network.

Power Cycle Your Wi-Fi Router

How This Helps: Troubleshooting the wireless connection ensures that both devices are properly connected to the network. This can resolve issues caused by network interruptions or misconfigurations.

11. Check for Print Quality Issues

1. Check the ink or toner levels in your printer. Replace any cartridges that are low or empty.
2. Clean the printer heads by following the instructions in your printer’s manual. This can help resolve issues with blurry or faded prints.
3. Run a test print from your printer to ensure that the print quality is satisfactory.

Check your printer’s ink or toner levels

How This Helps: Addressing print quality issues ensures that your documents print clearly and correctly. Low ink or clogged print heads can lead to poor print results, which may be mistaken for connectivity problems .

12. Contact Support

If the steps above didn’t fix the printing issue on your Chromebook, don’t stress. You can always reach out to your printer’s customer support—they might have more specific tips based on your printer model. If you’re still stuck, try posting your problem on the Chromebook Help Forum or contact Google support for extra help.

Chromebook Help

Follow these solutions, and you should fix most printing problems on your Chromebook. Ensure your printer and Chromebook are compatible, double-check that everything’s connected to the same network, keep your software updated , and if all else fails, try connecting in a different way. You’ve got this!

If your printer shows as “offline,” first check if it is powered on and connected to the same network as your Chromebook. Restart both the printer and Chromebook. If it’s still offline, try unplugging the printer for a minute, then plug it back in. Also, check the printer’s network settings to ensure it is connected to the correct Wi-Fi network.

If you can print some documents but not others, the issue may be related to the specific file type or format. For example, PDFs can sometimes have compatibility issues. Try opening the document in a different application or converting it to another format. Other than that, check the printer settings to ensure they are configured correctly for the document type.

To clear the print queue, open the Chrome browser and type chrome://devices in the address bar. Under the “Printers” section, find your printer and click “Manage.” From there, you can clear the print queue by selecting “Clear spooler.” This can help resolve issues with stuck print jobs.

If your printer is connected but won’t print, check for any error messages on the printer itself. Ensure that there are no paper jams, and that ink or toner levels are sufficient. Restart both the printer and Chromebook, and verify that the correct printer is selected in the print dialog. If the problem persists, consider updating your printer firmware.

Yes, you can print from a Chromebook without a Wi-Fi connection by using a USB cable to connect the printer directly to the Chromebook. This method allows you to bypass network issues and print directly from your device.