Struggling with using Windows apps on your Chromebook? Our guide is here to help! We understand how frustrating it can be when you’re unable to run Windows applications on your Chromebook. But don’t worry—our article provides a straightforward solution to get you past these issues.
With our easy-to-follow instructions, you can seamlessly run Windows applications on your Chromebook, significantly enhancing your computing experience and boosting your productivity. Google’s Chrome OS Flex is now available for Old PCs and Macs While not all Windows apps may be compatible, our guide will help you navigate the process and say goodbye to aggravation, welcoming a smoother and more efficient Chromebook experience.
Need to use a Windows-only application on your Chromebook? We’ve got you covered! Our guide will show you how to use “emulators” or “compatibility layer apps” to install and run Windows-based applications on your Chromebook. There are a lot of free apps for Windows 11.
Table of Contents
You’ll need to enable the Linux Development Environment on your Chromebook
Since the programs that facilitate running Windows applications on Chromebooks are Linux-based, setting up this environment is crucial. Connect your Chromebook to Wi-Fi and follow these steps to configure the Linux Development Environment and start using your Windows apps seamlessly.
- Go to Settings > Advanced > Developers and select Turn on for the “Linux development environment.”
- Click Next to proceed.
- Enter a preferred name for the Linux virtual machine, choose the Recommended disk size, and click Install.
Running Windows Apps on Your Chromebook with CrossOver
CrossOver is a Linux-based software that enables you to run Windows applications on ChromeOS and macOS. Although CrossOver costs $14.00, you can start with a free 2-week trial. 
To get started, create an account on CodeWeavers’ website and download the CrossOver app or trial version. Follow these steps to set it up and run Windows apps on your Chromebook:
- Open the Files app and navigate to the directory where you saved the CrossOver Linux setup file.
- Double-click the CrossOver Debian file or right-click and select Install with Linux.
- Click Install to proceed with the installation.
- Select OK to close the Linux installer window once the installation is complete.You’ll see the progress in your Chromebook’s status area (bottom-right corner of the screen). Wait for the “Installation complete” message before continuing.
- Press your Chromebook’s Search key, open the Launcher’s “Linux apps” folder, and select CrossOver.
- Sign in to your CodeWeaver account to link your free trial or purchase the CrossOver app.
- Go to the Install tab to view Windows applications available in CrossOver’s library.
- Use the search button to find apps not listed and choose the app you want to install.
- Click Install in the top-right corner to begin.
- When prompted to allow CrossOver to install necessary Linux packages, select Yes and wait for the app to be installed.
- Open your Chromebook’s app library and check the “Linux apps” folder for the installed Windows application.
If the app isn’t available in CrossOver’s library, download its executable file from third-party websites and install it manually. Save the EXE file in the “Linux files” folder in the Files app. You can run Android apps on any Window
- Open the “Installed” tab in CrossOver, then select Install an unlisted application in the top-right corner.
- Click Install to proceed.
- Select Home on the sidebar, and double-click the app’s executable file.
- Enter the app’s name in the “Bottle Name” dialog box and click Done.
- Confirm by selecting Yes to allow CrossOver to install the necessary Linux packages.
- Click Continue and wait for CrossOver to load the executable file.
- Follow the installation prompts to complete the process.
Running Windows Apps on Your Chromebook with Wine
Both Wine and CrossOver are developed by CodeWeavers, with CrossOver being a paid software and Wine being a free, open-source alternative. If you prefer not to spend $14 on CrossOver, Wine is an effective and cost-free option. Installing Wine on a Chromebook involves using several commands in the Linux Terminal, but the process is straightforward. Here’s how to get Wine up and running:
- Open your Chromebook’s app library and select the Terminal app in the “Linux apps” folder.
- Click Penguin to open the Terminal command-line interface.
- Enter the command sudo apt-get install wine and press Enter to install Wine.
- When prompted with “Do you want to continue?”, type Y and press Enter to proceed.
- Next, enter sudo dpkg –add-architecture i386 and press Enter. This enables the 32-bit architecture required for Wine.
- Paste wget -nc https://dl.winehq.org/wine-builds/winehq.key and press Enter to download Wine’s repository key.
- Enter sudo apt-key add winehq.key and press Enter to add the downloaded key.
- Type echo “deb https://dl.winehq.org/wine-builds/debian/ bullseye main” | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/wine_chrome_os_made_simple.list and press Enter to add the Wine repository to your sources list.
- Update your Linux environment’s data by entering sudo apt update -y and pressing Enter.
- Install Wine by entering sudo apt install –install-recommends winehq-stable winbind and pressing Enter.
- Confirm the installation by typing Y when prompted and pressing Enter.
- After installation, enter winecfg and press Enter.A pop-up will appear indicating that Wine is configuring.
- Click Install on the pop-up screen.
- Choose the Windows version you want Wine to emulate from the drop-down menu.
- Click Apply and then OK to complete the setup.
A pop-up will appear indicating that Wine is configuring.
Wine is now installed and configured on your Chromebook. You can use it to install and run Windows applications by following the next steps outlined in our guide.
Installing Windows Apps Using Wine
- Download and save the app’s executable file in the “Linux files” section of the Files app.
- Right-click the .exe file and select Open with… > Wine Windows Program Loader.
- Follow the setup instructions to install the Windows app on your Chromebook.
Running Windows Apps on Your Chromebook
Applications installed via CrossOver or Wine will operate on your Chromebook similarly to how they would on a Windows PC. Keep in mind that app performance may vary depending on your Chromebook’s hardware. If you encounter any issues, try updating and rebooting your Chromebook to resolve potential problems with Windows apps.
Conclusion
Running Windows applications on a Chromebook is entirely feasible with tools like CrossOver and Wine. CrossOver offers a paid but user-friendly solution, complete with support and a trial period for evaluation. On the other hand, Wine provides a free, open-source alternative that requires a bit more setup through the Linux Terminal but can be equally effective. Both methods enable you to access Windows apps and enhance your Chromebook’s functionality.
By following the setup instructions for either CrossOver or Wine, you can seamlessly integrate and run your preferred Windows applications on your Chromebook. Ensure your Chromebook’s hardware and software are up-to-date for the best performance, and don’t hesitate to troubleshoot by updating or rebooting if you face any issues. With these tools, your Chromebook can become a versatile device capable of handling a wide range of applications beyond its native environment.