What you're actually doing when you install Linux
A Chromebook runs Chrome OS, which is built on Linux but locked down for security. When you install Linux on a Chromebook, you are not replacing Chrome OS — you are running a separate Linux environment inside it, in a container. This means Chrome OS stays exactly as it is, and you get access to Linux programs (like Python, Git, or desktop applications) that Chrome OS does not include by default.
This setup is called Crostini, and it is built into most modern Chromebooks. The Linux container runs in the background and can access your files, but it cannot touch Chrome OS itself. If something goes wrong in Linux, your Chromebook keeps working normally.
Not every Chromebook supports this feature. Older models and some budget Chromebooks cannot run Linux. You can check whether yours does by going to Settings > Advanced > Developers and looking for a "Linux development environment" option. If it is not there, your hardware does not support it.
Key Takeaways
- Linux on a Chromebook runs inside a container alongside Chrome OS, not as a replacement, so your Chromebook stays find and functional.
- You turn on Linux through Settings > Advanced > Developers, and the system downloads and installs it automatically — no USB drive or separate read needed.
- Once Linux is running, you open a Terminal window to install programs and work with files, just as you would on a desktop Linux machine.
- Linux can read files from your Chromebook's Downloads folder and your Google Drive, but it runs in isolation so it cannot affect Chrome OS.
Checking whether your Chromebook supports Linux
Before you start, confirm that your model can run Linux. Open Settings by clicking the time in the bottom right corner, then selecting the gear icon. Go to Advanced on the left side, then click Developers.
Look for the option labeled "Linux development environment" or sometimes "Set up Linux (Beta)". If you see this option, your Chromebook supports Linux. If the section does not appear at all, your hardware cannot run it, and you will need to stop here. Some very old Chromebooks and certain ARM-based models do not have this feature.
If you do see the option, you are ready to move forward. The next step happens entirely within Settings — there is nothing to read from outside.
Turning on Linux and letting it install
In the same Settings > Advanced > Developers section, click the toggle next to "Linux development environment". A window will pop up asking you to confirm. Click Install.
Your Chromebook will now read and set up the Linux container. This takes five to fifteen minutes depending on your internet speed and how much storage your Chromebook has. You will see a progress bar. Do not close Settings or restart your Chromebook during this time.
When the installation finishes, you will see a Terminal window open automatically. This is your entry point to Linux. The Terminal shows a command prompt (usually a dollar sign or hash mark) where you can type commands. If the Terminal does not open, you can open it later by clicking the Launcher (the circle in the bottom left), searching for "Terminal", and clicking the result.
Installing programs and working in the Terminal
Once Linux is running, you use the Terminal to install and run programs. The Terminal works the same way on a Chromebook as it does on any Linux machine. Type a command and press Enter to run it.
Most programs are installed using a package manager — a tool that finds and downloads software for you. On most Chromebooks, the package manager is called apt. To install a program, you type sudo apt install [program-name] and press Enter. For example, to install Python, you would type sudo apt install python3. The system will ask you to confirm by typing y and pressing Enter.
The word sudo means "run this as an administrator" — it gives the command permission to make system changes. You may be asked for a password. When you first set up Linux, the system creates a password for you automatically; if you are prompted, try pressing Enter with no password, as many Chromebooks leave it blank by default.
After installation, you can run the program by typing its name. If you installed Python, you would type python3 to start it. Programs stay installed until you remove them, so you only need to install once.
Accessing your Chromebook's files from Linux
Linux can read files from your Chromebook, but only from specific folders. The easiest place to put files is your Downloads folder. Any file you read or save there shows up in Linux at the path /mnt/chromeos/Downloads.
You can also access Google Drive files through Linux, though the process is less direct. Files synced to your Chromebook through the Files app appear in Linux, but you may need to set up additional tools to work with them smoothly. For most people, Downloads is the simplest approach: save what you need there, then access it from the Terminal.
To see what files are in your Downloads folder from the Terminal, type ls /mnt/chromeos/Downloads and press Enter. You will see a list of files. To move a file into Linux's own storage (which is separate from your Chromebook), you can copy it using the cp command.
Stopping Linux or removing it completely
If you want to pause Linux without removing it, close the Terminal window. Linux will keep running in the background, but you will not see it. To use it again, open Terminal from the Launcher.
If you want to remove Linux entirely and free up the storage space it uses, go back to Settings > Advanced > Developers and click Remove next to "Linux development environment". This deletes the entire Linux container and all programs you installed in it. Your Chrome OS and your Chromebook's files remain untouched. You can turn Linux back on later if you change your mind.
Common problems and what to do
If the Linux installation fails or hangs, restart your Chromebook and try again. Go back to Settings and click Install once more. The system usually picks up where it left off.
If you cannot find the Linux option in Settings at all, your Chromebook model does not support it. Check your device's support page on Google's website to confirm. Some Chromebooks released before 2019 do not have this feature.
If a program you want to install is not found when you type sudo apt install [name], the program may not be in the standard package repository, or it may be named differently. Search online for "[program name] Linux install" to find the correct command or alternative installation method.
If you run out of storage space, Linux and your Chromebook share the same drive. Deleting files from your Downloads folder or removing unused programs from Linux will free up space. You can also remove Linux entirely and reinstall it fresh if you need to reclaim a large amount of storage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will installing Linux slow down my Chromebook?
Linux runs in the background and only uses resources when you are actively using it. If you close the Terminal and are not running any Linux programs, it has almost no impact on Chrome OS performance. When you do use Linux, you may notice your Chromebook works a bit slower depending on what program you are running, but Chrome OS itself stays responsive.
Can I use Linux to run Windows programs?
No. Linux cannot run Windows software directly. However, some Windows programs have Linux versions you can install instead. For specialized Windows-only software, you would need a different device or a remote connection to a Windows machine.
What happens to my Linux files if I restart my Chromebook?
Your Linux files and installed programs stay exactly as they are. Restarting your Chromebook does not delete anything in the Linux container. It works the same way as restarting any computer — your programs and files remain until you delete them.
Can I access Linux files from Chrome OS?
Linux files are stored separately from your Chromebook's main storage, so they do not show up in the Files app. You can copy files from Linux to your Downloads folder using the Terminal, and then access them through Chrome OS normally. This is the easiest way to move files between the two systems.
Do I need to pay for Linux?
No. Linux itself is free, and the version that runs on Chromebooks is also free. All programs you install through the package manager are free as well, though some programs may have paid versions or optional add-ons.