Install Chrome OS in Virtualized Environment

Last Updated on August 16, 2023 by Humera Hallari

Chrome OS was developed for Chromebooks, chrome bits, and chrome lets and cannot install on ordinary personal computer machines. Chromium OS and CloudReady are open-source versions of Chrome OS are developed for installation on MAC, Linux, and Windows Machines. Chromium OS and CloudReady which were created by Neverware are the same as Chrome OS. In this article, the CloudReady open-source version of Chrome OS is selected to install in a virtualized environment using a VMware Virtual Machine application. The open-source version of Chrome OS (CloudReady by Neverware) is the best selection for installation of Chrome OS over a virtual machine due to its extra offered security, protection, low storage consumption, and updating features. In this section, a detailed systematic process for creating a virtual machine in the VMware workstation is present.

Part A: Installation of VMware Workstation 16 on Windows OS

For the installation of ChromeOS on Windows PC, a VMware workstation is required to install. For the Installation guide, VMware Workstation Version 16 choose for installation of ChromeOS in Virtualized Environment on Windows 10 host OS. VMware Workstation Version 16 can download from the VMware Official Website.

Step 1:

Download VMware Workstation 16 Installer from above mentioned official VMware Workstations website. Once you have downloaded VMware Workstation 16, run the installation and install VMware Workstation on Host OS. Click on the Next button for Starting VMware Workstation Installation Process.  

Step 2:

Check the Term and License Agreement box and click next for proceeding with the installation process.

Step 3:

Select the path where you want to install VMware Workstation 16. Check the mentioned box for adding VMware Workstation console tools in the system path and click the next button.

Step 4:

Check for product updates on the startup option, VMware Workstation will check available updates on each startup for installation of software updates. If you want to join the Customer Experience program, click the box otherwise leave it unchecked and click on the Next button.

Step 5:

If you want to add VMware Workstation, the icon on Desktop and Start Menu Program check both boxes and click on the Next button for proceeding with the installation.

Step 6:

VMware Workstation configuration has been set up, click on the install button for installation of VMWare Workstation 16 on your computer.

Step 7:

VMware Workstation installation process will start installation on your system and will take time for installation.

Step 8:

Once the software is installed successfully, click on the Finish button to complete the installation wizard.

Part B: Installation of Chrome OS (CloudReady Version) on VMware Workstation

The ChromeOS is technically developed for Chromebooks, Chromeblets, and Chromebit devices and cannot install on ordinary personal computers working with Windows, Linux, and Mac OS. For Installation of Chrome OS on these devices open-source version of Chrome OS (CloudReady) developed by Neverware is available and can download from Neverware’s official website. An Open Virtual Appliance (OVA) ISO image of Cloud Ready Home Edition V83 on CloudReady website that can download and install directly in VMware Workstation 16. The step-by-step installation process of Chrome OS on VMware Workstation 16 is given below. Once you have installed VMware Workstation successfully on your system by following the above-mentioned installation process and have downloaded the Chrome OS OVA file, you can install Chrome OS on your system in a virtualized environment using VMware Workstation 16.

Step: 1

Double Click on VMware Workstation Icon on desktop and start the application.

Step: 2

When VMware Workstation 16 application opens, click on the Open a Virtual Machine option for importing OVA file in VMWare Workstation 16.

Step: 3

Select CloudReady Home Edition OVA source file from the download path and click the Open button for proceeding with the Chrome OS installation.

Step: 4

A pop-up screen will ask for choosing the name for the Virtual Machine and the local storage path on which you want to save virtual machine files.

Step: 5

After providing the Virtual Machine name, click on the Browse button and select the path for saving virtual machine files.

Step: 6

After selecting of storage path click on the Import button for importing the CloudReady OVA file and installation of Chrome OS.

Step: 7

Once you click on the import button, Chrome OS will start the installation. It will take several minutes for installation

Step: 8

After importing Chrome OS (CloudReady OV file), A virtual machine with ChromeOS name will appear in the VMWare Workstation application as mentioned below in the image.    

Step: 9

Click on the “Edit Virtual Machine Setting” option for the configuration of the Virtual Machine setting.

Step: 10

For memory, allocation clicks on “Memory” and assigns memory to Virtual Machine. It is recommended to allocate 50% memory of the Host Machine to Gust OS. In this article scenario, the Host machine contains 4GB of Main memory, and 2GB of memory will be allocated to Chrome OS virtual machine.

Step: 11

In the next step, Network configuration for Virtual machines is present. Network Adapter for Virtual machine set as bridged mode and replication of physical network connection will choose as network configuration for the virtual machine. Chrome OS virtual machine will use the same network adapter setting as the Host Machine.

Step: 12

After completing the virtual machine setting, click on the “Play Virtual Machine” option to start Chrome OS virtual machine.

Step: 13

On starting of Chrome OS virtual machine welcome screen of Chrome OS will Appear.

Step: 14

Click on the “Let’s Go” button on Chrome OS welcome screen and Chrome OS will ask for network connectivity. Select appropriate network.

Step: 15

In the next screen, On “Configure IP Address Automatically Option” for automatic allocation of IP address to the virtual machine.

Step: 16

Click on the “Add Other Wi-Fi Network” Option and select available wireless network for Internet Connectivity of Chrome OS virtual machine.

Step: 17

Wi-Fi network configuration will ask for provisioning of SSID of available wireless network, Provide SSID of available wireless network, select security setting (WPA-PSK), provide Wi-Fi security password and click on Connect Button for connecting wireless connection.

Step: 18

after successful connectivity of Internet connection, Chrome OS well as for data collection. Click on the “CONTINUE” button for proceeding.

Step: 19

Chrome OS will ask for provisioning of Google Account for signing in to Chromebook for Chrome OS, provide you google account to login Chromebook.

Step: 20

after providing you google account provide a google account password for login in to Chromebook and click on the “Next” button.

Step: 21

All Set messages will appear that will show that you have successfully login to your Chromebook and Chrome OS have installed successfully on VMware Workstation virtual machine.

Step: 22

Thank You screen for Chromebook will appear as a confirmation of successful installation of Chrome OS on a virtual machine. Click on the “Get Started” button to start Chrome OS.

Step: 23

Chrome OS Desktop Screen will appear with the start button and chromium-browser button. 

Step: 24

Click on the “Start” button on the left bottom of the screen, Files, Camera, Setting options will appear on the screen along with a search box.

Step: 25

Click on the “Files” option to view your files, Download Folder also appear in My Files

Step: 26

For changing Network, Bluetooth, Apps, and Device settings of Chrome OS, click on the “Settings” option on the main screen of the Chrome OS.

Recommendations:

Chrome OS by Google is primarily designed for Chromebook, Chromeblets, and Chromebits, which are special devices and cannot be installed on conventional Windows, Mac, and Linux computer machines. CloudReady is an open-source version of Chrome OS that is natively developed by Neverware and has a resemblance with Chromium OS (By Google) that is an Open Source version of Chrome OS for installation on Windows, Mac, and Linux Machines. Open-Source version of Chrome OS (CloudReady and Chromium OS) developed with the intent to bring Speed, Ease of Management, and extended security feature for personal computer machines or Mac-based hardware. For enhanced efficiency, it is recommended to install Chrome OS (CloudReady or Chromium) as a single OS on the machine instead of using a virtual machine. It should be avoided using a Virtual Machine environment for production use cases. The currently available version of CloudReady V83 does not have support for Oracle VM VirtualBox due to some graphic incompatibilities so it is recommended to install Chrome OS (CloudReady or Chromium OS) using VMware Workstation instead of Oracle VM VirtualBox.

Alternate and other useful links for downloading and Installing Chrome OS is as given below:

1. Download and install Chrome OS ISO from this link
2. Guide to Install Chrome OS Flex on Laptop
3. Chrome OS ISO Download.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)