How to Run Windows Apps on Chromebook

Do you need help with using Windows apps on your Chromebook? Don’t worry! Our article has the solution. We understand how annoying it is when you can’t use Windows apps on your Chromebook. But our guide will help you get past these problems. You can easily run Windows applications on your Chromebook by following our simple instructions. This significantly enhances your computing experience and allows you to be more productive. With our guide, you can say goodbye to aggravation and welcome to a smoother Chromebook experience.

Do Windows Apps Run on Chromebook?

If you are a Chrome user, you might have thought that you can operate Windows applications on your Chromebook. Then the answer to your query is Yes. Paid software is available to help you do so. However, there are still some applications that cannot function on Chromebooks.

Can I Run Windows Apps on My Chromebook?

• A little planning goes a long way on Chromebooks due to their limited storage and processing capability:
• Save frequently used files in a cloud storage service that syncs with your applications. Consider utilizing Google Drive and Microsoft OneDrive for safety and convenience.
• Record your Chromebook’s model number and RAM in the guide. Open the Files app from the toolbar and select the three-dot menu in the upper right corner to see your Chromebook’s storage capacity. If not already, activate the Google Play Store.
• Record the publishing firm and any essential programmes. Prioritize your applications by significance, frequency, and offline functionality.
• Before downloading Chrome-incompatible programmes, check their recommended specs to see how much space they’ll use. To verify whether the app runs, visit the CrossOver website or manual.

How to Open Windows Apps on Chromebook

Programs that allow Chromebooks to run Windows applications are mainly Linux-based. Hence, you must enable your Chromebook’s Linux development environment to install and run Windows apps.

How to Enable the Linux Development Environment

Step 1: Click on the clock at the bottom right corner.

Click on the clock at the bottom right corner of your Chromebook screen.

Step 2: click the gear icon for settings.

From the pop-up menu section, select Device Settings by clicking the gear icon.

Step 3: Go to Advanced settings

To see more options, select “Advanced” under Settings.

Step 4: Select Developers under the advanced section

Select “Developers.” from Advanced Settings.

Step 5: Click Turn ON for the Linux development environment

Next to “Linux development environment,” select Turn On. Follow the on-screen instructions to set up.

Step 6: Set up the Linux development environment, then click “Install”

Name the Linux development environment, choose the disc size, and click “Install” to start the installation.

Once you click install, the process will begin and can take anywhere from 2-20 minutes, depending on the speed of your network connection. Once the installation is completed, a terminal window will open to indicate a rousing success.

How to Install CrossOver Chrome OS and Run Windows Apps

CrossOver is software that runs on Linux and lets you use Windows apps on ChromeOS and macOS computers. Crossover software needs 196MB of storage, including both installation and running. Make sure your Chromebook supports enough storage for the seamless functioning of the Crossover app. The applications installed from Crossover can be operated from the home screen or will load and run like a standard program.

Step 1: Open the Files app, find the CrossOver Linux setup file, and initiate installation.

Open the Files app, locate the CrossOver Linux setup file, and double-click the CrossOver Debian file or right-click to select Install with Linux.

Step 2: Select the Install button to proceed with the installation.

Proceed with the installation by selecting Install, then close the Linux installer window once the installation is finished. Proceed to the next step when you see an “Installation complete” success message.

Step 3: Press the Search key, open the “Linux apps” folder, and select CrossOver.

Open the “Linux apps” folder through the Search, select CrossOver, and sign in to your CodeWeaver account if required.

Step 4: Click Install and allow CrossOver to install Linux Packages

Click Install in the top-right corner to proceed and allow CrossOver to install any necessary Linux Packages.

Step 5: Check the “Linux apps” folder in-app library

Check the “Linux apps” folder in your Chromebook’s app library to confirm the successful installation of the Windows application.

Note: If the app isn’t available in CrossOver’s library, download its executable file from a third-party website and save it in the “Linux files” folder.

Step 7: Return to CrossOver, go to the “Installed” tab and select Install the unlisted application.

Return to CrossOver, click on the “Installed” tab, and choose “Install an unlisted application” to install a program not listed in CrossOver’s library.

Step 8: Click Home, double-click the app’s executable file, Enter the app’s name

Go to Home on the sidebar and double-click the app’s executable file. Enter the app’s name in the “Bottle Name” dialogue box and click Done.

Step 9: Click Allow to install Linux packages

Allow CrossOver to install Linux packages needed for the Windows app. Then, follow the prompts to complete the installation process.

Note: If you can’t find the software you’re seeking, you may download the.exe file to your Chromebook and then choose the Installer option. Pick the launcher and the “bottle” for the operating system that works with the app.

How to Install Wine and Run Windows Apps

You will use Windows programs by running them in a Linux container through a support layer called Wine. The system works well and helps you accomplish all your light tasks. You can install the Wine 7.0 version to run Windows 10 and 11 programs on your Chromebooks.

How to Install Wine on Your Chromebook

Install the most recent version of Wine 7.0 on your Chromebook first. A compatibility layer that lets you use Windows apps on Linux without having to emulate them.

Step 1: Open Terminal, choose Penguin for the command-line interface

Open the Terminal app in your Chromebook’s Linux app folder and select Penguin to access the command-line interface.

Step 2: Paste “sudo apt-get install wine” and press Enter

Paste sudo apt-get install wine into the console and press Enter. Type ‘Y’ and press Enter to confirm.

Step 3: Paste “sudo dpkg –add-architecture i386” and press Enter

Type sudo dpkg –add-architecture i386, then click Enter. Your Linux username will show up after a while.

Step 4: Enter “wget -nc https://dl.winehq.org/wine-builds/winehq.key” in the terminal to download Wine’s repository key.

To get the Wine repository key, open the terminal, type “wget -NC https://dl.winehq.org/wine-builds/winehq.key”, and click Enter.

Step 5: Type “sudo apt-key add winehq.key” into the terminal to add the repository key.

Type “sudo apt-key add winehq.key” and press Enter to add the downloaded repository key.

Step 6: Enter the “echo” and “sudo” codes into the terminal to add Wine’s repository.

Type the following command into the terminal: “echo “deb https://dl.winehq.org/wine-builds/debian/ bullseye main” | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/wine_chrome_os_made_simple.list” to add the Wine repository, and then click Enter.

Step 7: Type “sudo apt update -y” and press Enter.

To update the data of your Linux environment, type “sudo apt update -y” into the terminal and tap Enter.

Step 8: Type the command and confirm with “Y” to install Wine.

To install Wine, type “sudo apt install -install-recommends winehq-stable winbind” into the terminal and tap Enter. Type “Y” and hit Enter to confirm.

Step 9: Type “winecfg” into the terminal and press Enter.

Type “winecfg” into the terminal and press Enter. A pop-up will indicate that the Wine configuration is being updated.

Step 10: Click “Install”, Choose the Windows operating system and Click “Apply”

Press “Install” when a pop-up window appears. Click on the Windows operating system option in the menu that appears. Click “Apply” and then “OK” to go on.

Wine is now installed and configured on your Chromebook, ready to run Windows applications.

How to Install Windows App Using Wine

Step 1: Download and save the executable file

Download and save the app’s executable file in the “Linux files” in the Files app.

Step 2: Click “.exe file”, choose “open with”, then select Wine Windows Program Loader

Right-click the .exe file, select Open, then select Wine Windows Program Loader.

Step 3: Follow setup instructions and install Windows app

Follow the instructions on the setup screen to install the Windows app on your Chromebook.

Conclusion

The Chrome remote setup and similar features help you run Windows applications on your Chromebooks. Connect your Chromebook to a Windows computer. You may run any Windows programme on your Chromebook. It’s also important that both devices can link to the internet and communicate with each other. It makes your Chromebook more adaptable, especially if you use Chrome OS and Windows for separate activities.

FAQs

Can I run EXE files on my Chromebook?

No. Chromebooks cannot open executables since they don’t run Windows. Chrome Remote Desktop lets you access a connected Windows 10 desktop to install and run EXE files.

How do I delete apps on a Chromebook?

Click the Launcher button and the up arrow to see the full Launcher screen. This is how you delete apps from a Chromebook. Click the three dots on the app’s menu and choose “Uninstall” or “Remove from Chrome” to remove it from Chrome.

How do I open Windows programs on my Chromebook?

Remote desktop connections: Chromebooks can connect to Windows computers and execute Windows software via remote desktop clients. Virtualization of Windows on your Chromebook: Install Parallels or VMware and run Windows on a virtual machine.