Are you a Linux enthusiast who wants to run Linux on your Chromium OS device without hassle? Look no further than crouton, the Chromium OS Universal Chroot Environment. With crouton, you can seamlessly install and run a Linux environment on your existing Chromium OS device, opening up a world of possibilities for customization and increased functionality.
What is crouton?
crouton is a set of scripts that make installing a Linux environment on your Chromium OS device as simple as possible. Using a chroot (or “change root”) approach, crouton provides a separate, isolated file system for the Linux environment, allowing Linux applications to run natively within Chromium OS. Unlike virtualization, there is no speed penalty, and you do not need to boot a second operating system.
Who is crouton for?
crouton is designed for anyone who wants to run Linux on their Chromium OS device and is comfortable with Linux tools and the command line. It’s perfect for developers, Linux enthusiasts, and anyone who wants to customize their Chromium OS experience.
How to install crouton
Installing crouton is now easier than ever. Follow these simple steps:
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Switch your Chromium OS device to developer mode. Instructions can be found on the Chromium OS developer information website.
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Download the crouton installer from the official crouton website or the provided link.
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Open a shell on your Chromium OS device by pressing Ctrl+Alt+T, typing “shell,” and hitting enter.
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Make the installer executable by running the following command:
sudo install -Dt /usr/local/bin -m 755 ~/Downloads/crouton -
Launch the installer by running
sudo crouton. This will display the help text and provide instructions for creating your chroot environment. -
Follow the prompts to select your desired Linux distribution and desktop environment. For example, you can choose Ubuntu with Xfce.
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Wait patiently while crouton sets up your Linux environment.
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Once the installation is complete, you can enter your Linux environment using the newly installed
enter-chrootcommand or the target-specific start commands. For example,sudo enter-chroot startxfce4will launch an Xfce session.
Features and Benefits of crouton
crouton offers several unique features and benefits:
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Wide device compatibility: crouton supports a wide range of Chromium OS devices, allowing you to run Linux on the device of your choice.
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Direct hardware access: Unlike other solutions, crouton provides direct access to your device’s hardware, enabling better performance and compatibility with Linux applications.
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Improved integration: By installing the crouton extension, you can enjoy enhanced integration between your Linux environment and Chromium OS, including synchronized clipboards and the ability to handle URLs within Chromium OS.
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Easy management: crouton makes it easy to create and manage multiple chroots, allowing you to experiment with different Linux distributions and desktop environments.
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Community support: The crouton community is active and engaged, offering support, sharing tips, and contributing to the ongoing development of the project.
Try Crostini or crouton?
While crouton is a powerful and flexible solution, it’s important to note that Chromium OS also offers an official project called Crostini. Crostini provides official support, multi-layered security, and clean integration of Linux apps on the platform. However, crouton has the advantage of wider device compatibility and direct hardware access. Both options have their strengths, and it’s up to you to decide which one best suits your needs.
Conclusion
With crouton, running Linux on your Chromium OS device has never been easier. Whether you’re a developer looking for a Linux development environment or a Linux enthusiast seeking more customization options, crouton provides a user-friendly solution that is both powerful and flexible. Give it a try today and unlock the full potential of your Chromium OS device.
Disclaimer: Running Linux on your Chromium OS device may void your warranty and could potentially introduce security risks. Make sure you understand the implications and follow proper security practices.
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