Chromebook users: You may already know that Crouton lets you run a full Linux distribution alongside Chrome OS, switching seamlessly with a single keystroke. That's powerful—but imagine launching Linux apps directly in a resizable window, just like any other program. A clever Chrome extension, developed by a Google intern, makes this possible using Xiwi and the Crouton Integration plugin.
Important: This guide assumes you have Crouton already installed. If not, follow the steps below after enabling Developer Mode.
To get started, switch your Chromebook to Developer Mode. Press Esc + Refresh (or the third function key) + Power simultaneously. This disables OS verification and triggers a recovery process.
A warning screen will appear—press Ctrl + D to proceed. The device will wipe all local data and settings, then reboot into Developer Mode, giving you full root access. Be patient; this can take 10-15 minutes.
Note: With OS verification disabled, press Ctrl + D at every boot to skip the recovery screen.
Download the Crouton installer from the official source. Open the Chrome OS shell with Ctrl + Alt + T, type shell, and press Enter.
sudo sh ~/Downloads/crouton -r trusty -t xiwi,xfce
This command installs Ubuntu Trusty (14.04) in a chroot environment with XFCE desktop and Xiwi support for windowed mode. Follow the prompts to create a user account. Installation may take 20-30 minutes depending on your model.
With Crouton and Xiwi installed, head to the Chrome Web Store and add the Crouton Integration extension.
Open a new shell (Ctrl + Alt + T, then shell). Mount your chroot as root:
sudo enter-chroot
Inside the chroot, start the XFCE session:
startxfce4
You'll see console messages confirming integration with the extension. Moments later, Ubuntu XFCE will launch in a native Chrome OS window—fully resizable and multitask-friendly. Enjoy Linux apps alongside your Chrome OS workflow!
Chrome OS might seem limited at first glance, but tools like Crouton and its windowed integration unlock serious power for developers, tinkerers, and power users. This setup proves Chromebooks are versatile contenders, blending web simplicity with full Linux capabilities.
