Chrome is a cloud base OS. A cloud based OS simply means that you will require internet connection for running the OS and all your data will be stored online in “Clouds”. Here is the process of running Chrome OS on your pc “virtually”. All that you need is:
- Sun VirtualBox / VMWare
- Chrome OS image file [VMDK format]
- Internet Connectivity [it’s a must..!!! how can you imagine Google without internet..!! ]
1. Download Chrome OS:
Downloading Chrome OS isn’t a difficult task. Since, its open source you can download it without any hesitation. You may Google for the download link. But I personally prefer Torrent. Just search for “Chrome OS” at any popular torrent site. Or simply you can use Google for searching torrent files. Enter “chrome os filetype:torrent” and Google it..!! Download the zip / rar file to your system; it would be around 350-400MBs.
2.Download VirtualBox:
VirtualBox is an x86 and AMD64/Intel64 open source virtualization product from SUN and is available under GNU GPL license. It supports a large variety of operating systems: Windows, DOS, Linux, Solaris, OpenSolaris and OpenBSD. Not going much into a detailed discussion download it from here: http://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Downloads
3.Installing VirtaulBox:
I guess, that’s a matter of few clicks. I need not mention it step-by-step. If you have any trouble installing it, feel free to drop in your comments.
4.Extract the zip/rar file you have downloaded.
5.Run VirtualBox
6.Setting Up the Virtual Machine with Chrome OS:
Now click “New” button or click “Machine” in the menu bar and then select “New”. Virtual Machine Wizard box will open up. Now, click “Next” to continue.
Next, give a name to your virtual machine; I named it “Chrome”. Exactly below the name field you will find “Operating System” and “Version”. Select “Other” and “Other/Unknown” from the lists respectively.
Now, define the “RAM” size for your Virtual Machine. It is advised to select less than 50% of your actual RAM size depending on your host operating system. [Host operating system is simply the OS you are using whereas the Guest Operating system is “Chrome” which you are installing virtually]
Click “Next” to continue; now it’s time to setup your Boot Hard Drive. Select “Use Existing Hard Disk” option and click the “Browse” icon.
Click on the “Add” icon at the top and select the Chrome OS VMDK file you downloaded on your system. Click “Select” and then click “Next”.
That’s it..!! click “Finish” and you are done setting up the Chrome OS.
7. Running Chrome Os
After you have successfully set up the Virtual Machine with Chrome OS, select the machine from the left pane and click the start button. Make sure that you have internet connectivity.
Chromium OS welcome screen will appear asking for your username and password. What’s that..!!! How do I know these details..!!! No need to worry, simply use your Gmail Account username password and you will be logged in to Chromium OS.
By default, your Gmail and Google Calendar tabs will open up in the browser.
Click the “Chrome” icon in the top left corner to have a look at your dashboard and available apps.
8. Have fun..!!! Share / Re-tweet this post.
{ 3 comments }
I am having a feeling that Microsoft apps will soon run on top of Chrome OS, isn't that amazing Microsoft inside Google.
yeh..!! that would be great. even Google is improving its Docs features. Ultimately, the users are going to be benefited in Google vs. Microsoft web apps war.
they are working on “chromotium” which would support Microsoft OS apps