Question:

How can I install Windows on a Chromebook without a USB stick, but with a Philips screwdriver?

Answer:

Installing Windows on a Chromebook is not a simple task, as Chromebooks are designed to run Chrome OS, a Linux-based operating system. However, some Chromebooks have the ability to switch to a different firmware mode, called Developer Mode, which allows you to run other operating systems, such as Windows.

To install Windows on a Chromebook, you will need a few things:

• A Chromebook that supports Developer Mode and has an Intel processor. Not all Chromebooks are compatible with Windows, so you will need to check your model’s specifications before proceeding. You can find a list of compatible Chromebooks here: [https://coolstar.org/chromebook/windows-install.html](https://coolstar.org/chromebook/windows-install.html)
• A Windows installation media, such as a DVD or a USB stick. You will need to download the Windows ISO file from Microsoft’s website and create a bootable media using a tool like Rufus or Windows USB/DVD Download Tool. You can find the instructions here: [https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10)
• A Philips screwdriver. You will need to open your Chromebook and remove a small screw that prevents you from changing the firmware mode. This screw is called the write-protect screw, and its location varies depending on your Chromebook model. You can find a guide on how to locate and remove the write-protect screw here: [https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/How+to+remove+the+Write+Protect+screw+from+any+Chromebook/103308](https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/How+to+remove+the+Write+Protect+screw+from+any+Chromebook/103308)

Once you have these things ready, you can follow these steps to install Windows on your Chromebook:

1. Enable Developer Mode on your Chromebook. This will erase all your data on your Chromebook, so make sure you back up anything important before proceeding. To enable Developer Mode, you will need to press and hold the Esc and Refresh keys, and then press the Power button. This will reboot your Chromebook into Recovery Mode. Then, press Ctrl+D to enter Developer Mode. You will see a warning screen that says “OS verification is OFF”. Press Enter to confirm. Your Chromebook will reboot and prepare for Developer Mode. This may take up to 15 minutes. When it’s done, you will see another warning screen. Press Ctrl+D again to boot into Chrome OS.

2. Install the custom firmware for Windows. You will need to open a terminal window in Chrome OS by pressing Ctrl+Alt+T. This will launch a shell called crosh. Then, type `shell` and press Enter to enter a bash shell. Next, you will need to download and run a script that will install the custom firmware for Windows. You can do this by typing the following commands:

“`bash cd ~/Downloads curl -LO https://coolstar.org/chromebook/setup-firmware.sh sudo bash setup-firmware.sh “` The script will ask you to choose the firmware type. You will need to select the option that says “Full ROM Firmware (Recommended)”. Then, the script will ask you to confirm that you have removed the write-protect screw. Type `Y` and press Enter to continue. The script will then download and flash the custom firmware. This may take a few minutes. When it’s done, the script will ask you to reboot your Chromebook. Type `Y` and press Enter to reboot.

3. Install Windows on your Chromebook. You will need to insert your Windows installation media into your Chromebook and boot from it. To do this, you will need to press Esc when you see the custom firmware screen. This will bring up the boot menu. Then, use the arrow keys to select your Windows installation media and press Enter. This will launch the Windows setup. Follow the on-screen instructions to install Windows on your Chromebook. You will need to format the internal drive and create a new partition for Windows. You may also need to install some drivers for your Chromebook’s hardware, such as the touchpad, keyboard, audio, and Wi-Fi. You can find the drivers here: [https://coolstar.org/chromebook/windows-install.html](https://coolstar.org/chromebook/windows-install.html)

Congratulations, you have successfully installed Windows on your Chromebook! You can now enjoy the full features and functionality of Windows on your device. However, be aware that installing Windows on a Chromebook may void your warranty and may cause some issues with your Chromebook’s performance and battery life. You can always revert back to Chrome OS by restoring the original firmware and reinstalling Chrome OS from a recovery media. You can find the instructions here: [https://support.google.com/chromebook/answer/1080595](https://support.google.com/chromebook/answer/1080595)

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