Willing to try a hack?

Windows only works on certain Chromebook models.

ensure your Chromebook is compatible with Windows.

Enter your device’s model into the Windows for Chromebook installation helper where you can find the drivers you need to install Windows.

Derek Abella / Lifewire

Can You Install Windows on Your Chromebook?

Neither Google nor Microsoft officially support Windows for Chromebooks.

Therefore, the only way to run Windows on a Chromebook it to hack your machine.

Turn off your Chromebook and flip it upside down.

Before you begin, use this tool to determine if your Chromebook is capable of running Windows.

There’s also a list of all Windows components compatible with Chromebooks.

The site is frequently updated, so check back if something ever stops working.

Remove the screws holding the back panel in place and open up your computer.

Hacking your Chromebook will void the warranty, soback up everything to your Google Driveand proceed with caution.

Turn off your Chromebook and flip it upside down.

Remove the screws holding the back panel in place and open up your machine.

The write-protect screw on an Acer C720 Chromebook is hidden under a wire.

Locate and remove the write-protect screw, then replace the back panel.

PressEnterto turn OS verification off and enable developer mode.

Plug your Chromebook into a power source and wait for it to switch to developer mode.

press Ctrl + D at the screen that says Chrome OS is missing or damaged.

Once your machine restarts, pressCtrl+Dat the screen that saysOS verification is OFFto load Chrome OS.

If you reboot your rig now, you must pressCtrl+Dat startup to load Chrome OS.

This is no longer required after you install Windows.

Press Enter to turn OS verification off and enable developer mode.

After loading Chrome OS, pressCtrl+Alt+Tto launch the Chromebookcommand terminalin a internet tool window, then typeshelland pressEnter.

TypeY, then typeYagain to installUEFIfirmware.

Once finished, the firmware you should probably run Windows will automatically install.

press Ctrl + D at the screen that says OS verification is OFF to load Chrome OS.

Power down your Chromebook when the installation is complete.

On your Windows computer, go to theWindows 10 download pageand selectDownload tool nowunderCreate Windows 10 installation media.

Check the box besideUse the recommended options for this PC, then selectNext.

Open the Chromebook command terminal in a browser window, then type shell and press Enter.

SelectUSB flash drive, then selectNext.

Select your USB drive, then selectNext.

Any files on the USB drive will be overwritten.

Enter the command to download and run the Chrome OS Firmware Utility script.

Wait for the installation media to be created, selectFinish, then remove the flash drive from your PC.

Use the Windows for Chromebook Installation Helper to find the recommended drivers for your specific model.

Insert the USB drive with Windows into your Chromebook and press the power button.

Type 3 and press Enter to select Install/Update Full ROM firmware.

When asked for a product key, selectI don’t have a product key.

SelectCustom: Install Windows only (advanced).

Choose the unallocated space, then selectNext.

Type Y, then type Y again to install UEFI firmware.

Wait for Windows to install and reboot.

Now you’re free to set up Windows as normal.

If prompted to connect to a data pipe, selectSkip this step/I don’t have internet.

Insert a USB flash drive and follow the instructions to make a backup copy of your Chromebook’s BIOS in case you want to reinstall Chrome OS later.

If you see an option forExpress controls, select it to speed things along.

If asked for product key again, selectSkip/Do this later.

When Windows starts up, insert the USB drive with the Windows drivers into your Chromebook.

On your Windows computer, go to the Windows 10 download page and select Download tool now under Create Windows 10 installation media.

The drivers should install automatically when you open them.

Ignore any warnings from Windows, then power cycle your Chromebook when all the drivers are installed.

When your Chromebook restarts, you’re free to finallyconnect to a web connection.

Open the Windows 10 Setup tool and select Accept.

Some keys have been remapped; for example, theSearchkey will serve as theWindowskey.

If you ever want Chrome OS back, you must create a recovery drive using theChromebook Recovery Utility.

Select Create Installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file) for another PC, then select Next.

Check the box beside Use the recommended options for this PC, then select Next.

Select USB flash drive, then select Next.

Select your USB drive, then select Next.

Wait for the installation media to be created and select Finish.

Use the Windows for Chromebook installation helper to find the recommended drivers for your Chromebook model.

Illustration of a person accessing the boot menu on a computer

Derek Abella / Lifewire

When the Windows installer boots up, make sure the language and region settings are correct, then select Next.

Select Install now.

When asked for a product key, select I don’t have a product key.

Select the version of Windows you want to install (Windows 10 Home or Pro is recommended), then select Next.

Select Custom: Install Windows only (advanced).

Choose the unallocated space on your hard drive, then select Next.

Wait for Windows to install and reboot.

The setup menu for Windows 10

Install the drivers you need to install Windows on your Chromebook.