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crouton is an open-source set of scripts designed to enable Linux distributions to run alongside Chrome OS on Chromebooks by using a chroot environment that shares the same Linux kernel as the host system. Instead of dual-booting or virtualization, the project installs a Linux system inside a chroot, allowing users to switch quickly between Chrome OS and a full Linux desktop while maintaining performance and compatibility. This approach allows developers, system administrators, and power users to access traditional Linux tools and desktop environments on hardware originally intended to run only Chrome OS. Crouton supports multiple Linux distributions such as Ubuntu and Debian and allows the installation of different desktop environments including XFCE, KDE, and others. The environment integrates closely with Chrome OS, enabling shared files, hardware access, and keyboard shortcuts to switch between systems seamlessly.
Features
- Run Linux distributions inside Chrome OS using a chroot environment
- Fast switching between Chrome OS and Linux sessions with keyboard shortcuts
- Support for multiple desktop environments such as XFCE and KDE
- Shared file access between Chrome OS and the Linux environment
- Encryption options for secure chroot installations
- Near-native performance because it avoids virtualization overhead
Project Samples
