Chromebook xe303c12 windows Continue Photo Cloud Chrome OS Florence IonGoogle has evolved into an impressive computing platform now that it's compatible with Android apps and, more recently, Linux apps. But what about Windows apps, you may wonder? What happened to all the rumors about Windows compatibility on the horizon? They still float around, but you don't have to wait until they become true to start running Windows apps on your Chromebook. All you need is a crossover app and a little time to experiment. The crossover is a free app (for now) that runs Windows programs inside a virtual machine. It's easy to use, and although there's a full version readily available for Linux that's also compatible with Chrome OS, the Android crossover version is much more user-friendly. If you're wondering about the novelty of launching Windows apps on your Chromebook, or perhaps you're desperate to run a commonly used favorite app, keep reading. What is a crossover? The crossover is a free virtual machine of sorts available in the Google Play Store. It's in beta, although there's a giant Trial Period banner emblazoned on the app's homepage. (Codeweavers says you'll be able to pay for the full version of Android soon.) The Android/Chrome OS version of the app is still very experimental, but it uses the same basic technology as the macOS and Linux versions. G/O Media can get commissionsC crossover has had some time to incubate on other platforms, its Android version is quite reliable. Each windows app launch through Crossover can work on a different version of Windows if necessary, and you can even add to the main components, so the font library. One of the main caveats to keep in mind is that the crossover can only run 32-bit apps due to restrictions in the Android Chrome OS environment. (The crossover runs 64-bit applications on macOS and Linux.) How to install CrossoverA to look at the main page of the crossover after installation. Screenshot: Florence IonBefore you can install a crossover from the Google Play Store, you want to make sure that your Chromebook is able to handle Android apps and fast enough to run a virtual machine. Codeweavers suggests using the Intel-based app Chromebook.To ensure the device can run Android apps, downloaded from the Play Store, head to the Chromebook settings menu. If all is well, you'll see the Google Play option with an external link to the Android Chrome OS settings. If you're on the old version of Chrome OS, you may need to turn on the developer mode to access Android apps. Computers are great, but often they feel that they are made for a species other than humanity. Each... Read more How to set Windows via crossover There are two ways to install Windows apps using a crossover. First, install the completed file through a database of known crossover applications. You can access this by searching for on the front page of the app. Bring the name of the program you hope to install, and the crossover will populate the screen with the appropriate results. Some of the apps you can search for include Microsoft Office 2006 and 2010, older versions of Adobe Photoshop, File'illa, and 7-Sip. (You may have to purchase a key to use some of these apps. You can use the search bar to search through the crossover database for common installation files. Screenshot: Florence IonIf You can't find what you're looking for, try installing the Windows app using the Installing unregistered app option that lets you point directly to the installation file. to go to the customization file. Keep an eye on installation tips as they are identified. Once you've installed the Windows program using any method, you'll be able to run the app from the Chromebook app drawer or the main page of the crossover landing. I bet you can't tell which Windows apps are and which Android apps. Screenshot: Florence IonThere is the third method to run Windows apps, but you should only try it if you're unlucky with the first two. It involves creating a desktop shell of sorts, so you can manually run the file installation. As before, click on the Install unregistered app after entering the program name, and then select the option to create an empty environment. This will allow you to install the components you need to run the Windows app. The dialogue window will appear as soon as the virtual environment is ready. Click on the Launch File Explorer option from the drop-off menu, and then go to the device's file system to select the .exe file you want to run. This method is worth using if the .exe file you downloaded is not an installer file. Screenshot: Florence IonYou will also want to use this method if you need to run the app on top of another version of Windows. To access this setup, click on the app from the main page of the crossover, and then select the Wine Configuration from the drop menu. The app tab will be displayed with the option at the bottom to change the Windows version for that app. You can choose a version of Windows back in Windows 3.0, or you can join the rest of us of current age with Windows 10. By default, the crossover will establish compatibility for each application based on the information in its database. How to use Windows apps on the mentioned Chrome OSAs, you can run the app from the Chromebook app box or the main page of the crossover landing. In the event of an application failure (this happens) the crossover pops up a notification with an option for the power that helps to facilitate your device's memory cache. This GIMP works on Chrome OS. Screenshot: Florence IonUsing Windows Apps Apps The crossover is relatively simple, but don't set your expectations too high. Not all Windows apps work with this particular version of the crossover. I tried to install a version of Windows Spotify and Adobe Creative Cloud, and none of them were successful. Then I installed Steam, which allowed me to message my buddies with his chat app, although it often crashed because it couldn't download some ad-go-ups. It feels like Microsoft is ramping up its basic system upgrades for Windows, with one now coming... Read moreSome apps won't even allow you to install the software because it's a virtual machine, and while Codeweavers offers direct access to outdated programs like Microsoft Office 2010, you still need a valid key to unlock the experience. Even if you do manage to get an app like that that works, you may have to deposit your account for any missing components by searching anyway and widely online. I've had some success running Windows apps on Google Pixelbook. 7-Sip impeccably extracted email files in the Download folder, and I enjoyed the launch of an old classic, Ski Free. File'illa allowed me to access my FTP server, while Gimp was a beep for use with the Pixelbook touchscreen. I managed to get some lesser known apps to run, too, like Massive Rename Utility, which sports a heavily outdated interface but is effective at renaming hundreds of files in one batch. I went through all these problems just to get this old app working. Screenshot: Florence IonThese examples of why you would go through the challenges of running Windows apps on your Chromebook: to help increase performance on Chrome OS. After all, there isn't always an Android app or Chrome extension that can get the job done. And while the crossover isn't the exact equivalent of launching full-fledged Windows apps on Chrome OS, at least it helps bridge a few gaps as Google continues to build its cloud operating system. Chromebooks are simple, convenient, portable and often very accessible. They make for larger computers, and the availability of software has evolved enough that another computer OS may not be necessary for many. But there's no denying that Windows has its advantages, especially in the availability of apps. Unfortunately, many games and programs have not yet made it to Chrome OS. If you're wondering how to run Windows on Chromebook devices you've come to the right place. Read more: What is Chromebook and what can it do? Editor's Warning: Some of these methods of using Windows on Chromebook devices require a high level of tinkering with providing/equipment in your computer. There is a chance to damage the device and/or cancel the manufacturer's warranty. Continue these methods only if you are confident in your technical knowledge and research. No one but you will be held responsible if something happens to your Chromebook in the process. Can you set Windows on on Windows on Chromebook devices is possible, but it's not just a feat. Chromebooks just weren't made to run Windows, and if you really want a full desktop OS they're more compatible with Linux.Our suggestion is that if you really want to use Windows it's better to get a Windows computer. With this said, we also understand there are some really outstanding Chromebooks available and Chrome OS has some amazing benefits. If you have to go with the Chromebook and need to install Windows on it to take care of some tasks, we are here to help.