How to run Windows Apps under Google Chrome OS

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If you thought, or indeed hoped, that the Google Chrome OS would be a thoroughly modern marvel running web apps only then you are about to be disappointed. It would appear that even the brave new future of the OS cannot escape from the legacy of Windows.

According to a Google software engineer, one Gary Kacmarcík, Chrome will support legacy Windows applications. In a Google Groups Kacmarcík writes that the "Chrome OS will not only be great platform for running modern web apps, but will also enable you to access legacy PC applications right within the browser" through the miracle, or curse depending upon your viewpoint, of chromoting.

Chromoting is best thought of as being a remote desktop application for a cloud computing powered device I guess. Here's that 'official' Gary Kacmarcík posting in full:

"We're adding new capabilities all the time. With this functionality (unofficially named "chromoting"), Chrome OS will not only be great platform for running modern web apps, but will also enable you to access legacy PC applications right within the browser. We'll have more details to share on chromoting in the coming months."

And there was me thinking that the Chrome OS had been designed to be a cloud-based thing, to run web apps without the overhead required by legacy software? So maybe the question, when it comes to running Windows software under Chrome at least, should not be how but rather why. C'mon people, do you really want to run legacy Windows apps on your shiny new Chrome-powered device?

I can't help but think that this is less a case of brave new world for Google and more a matter of being scared of Microsoft, or rather scared of not appealing to that legacy Microsoft-using market. If Google really wants to succeed with Chrome as an alternative OS then it needs, in my not so humble opinion, to make a clean break and not pander to the Windows apologists.

Dani AI

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A brief, practical update to the thread: Chrome OS has changed a lot since 2010, and there are now several realistic ways to run Windows software depending on the need. raised the tradeoff between a web-first OS and legacy compatibility, and was right that improving web apps matters — but for users who must run specific Windows programs there are acceptable options beyond "connect to your old PC." was on the right track suggesting cloud/VPS approaches, and correctly remembered the long history of compatibility work.

Options to consider today (high level):

  • Use the Chrome OS Linux container (Crostini) when possible — it gives a Debian-based environment for many developer and productivity tools. .
  • Try a compatibility product that runs Windows apps on Chrome OS without a full Windows install (CrossOver from CodeWeavers is a production example). CrossOver leverages a Wine-based compatibility layer and targets supported Chromebook hardware. CrossOver on CodeWeavers.
  • For full Windows compatibility on managed devices, enterprise virtualization like Parallels Desktop for Chromebook Enterprise runs a Windows VM on supported Chromebooks. This is an IT-focused solution with hardware/management requirements. Parallels on Chrome Enterprise (Google Cloud blog).
  • If hardware or local VM options are unsuitable, a streamed Cloud PC or hosted Windows desktop (Microsoft Windows 365 and other DaaS offerings) delivers a full Windows session over the network. Windows 365 overview (Microsoft).

Practical tip: pick your path by frequency and risk — occasional Windows-only tasks = CrossOver or a cloud app; heavy, mission-critical Windows apps = Parallels or a managed Cloud PC. Check device CPU/architecture, enterprise enrollment rules, and licensing before committing. For a current, plain-English comparison of tradeoffs, see a recent overview on Chromebooks vs. Windows. PCWorld guide.

Member Avatar for qwz
qwz 0 Newbie Poster

There is also way how to run windows applications on chrome OS using ChromeWin cloud servers for example . This is better solution than connecting to home computer. And this could be nail in the Microsoft coffin.

Edited by qwz because: n/a
Member Avatar for Dan08
Dan08 8 Junior Poster

I 100% agree with you. They should focus on improving their current existing applications like docs instead of licking Microsoft's arse all the time.

Member Avatar for eldergeek
eldergeek 0 Newbie Poster

Linux has wine (even though I've no particular use for it) shrug seems moot to me.

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