How to Install Windows on Chromebook Without USB

There’s most likely a very valid reason why you own a Chromebook right now, isn’t there? If we were to rattle out a couple of reasons for that off the top of our heads, it would be that most of these devices are simple to use, have a nice build and, of course, can take a beating without falling apart.

However, for some reason, some Chromebook users might find that they aren’t exactly comfortable with using Chrome OS, the operating system that comes pre-installed on all Chromebook devices. While this isn’t an ideal situation, it must be said that you aren’t exactly left without options here.

One of the things that you can do to effectively remedy this situation is to learn how to install Windows on Chromebook without USB. Understanding everything that goes into making your Chromebook operate Windows can help alleviate the stress of having to be without Windows products.

Now, as anyone would rationally expect, there are several ways that you can install Windows OS on your device. This includes using a USB and not using a USB.

In this post, we’ll be going over the finer aspects of this operation when there is no USB involved. Having this information is more than certain to help you have an easier time with the entire affair.

So, let’s dig into all of that and other details you should be aware of now!

Why You May Want to Install Windows Operating System on Your Chromebook

Now, we mentioned that there are several reasons why some PC users might feel that they are better served when they have something other than the Chrome OS on their device.

Here are some of the major things along those lines that you might do well to keep in mind.

Before saying another word, it is highly essential to point out that Chrome OS is not in any way a bad deal. On the contrary, it’s arguably one of the best operating systems that beginner PC users are better off with. It has a simple yet efficient user interface and, unlike many other operating systems, it doesn’t overload you with too much unnecessary information.

But even with that being said, there are some valid points as to why one would want to switch. At the top of that list is the way that it rather limits your capabilities. More specifically, you should know that, because of how this particular operating system is built and designed, it doesn’t support a lot of apps and programs that most users would consider important.

As such, you’re typically left with only one of two choices here. It is either you go and get a different computer device altogether or you switch the operating system on the device that you do have. As you would expect, more than enough users tend to go in the second direction.

Which is what brings us to why you might want to learn how to install Windows on Chromebook without USB in the first place. But while there are a couple of steps involved in this process, thankfully, the entire affair isn’t too complicated. So, you shouldn’t have any trouble managing things successfully, even if you’re on your own.

Installing Windows OS on Your Chromebook – Is It Even Possible?

Yes, it is very much possible to do this. But in saying that, we also have to stress (and emphatically, too) that this is a process that actually isn’t supported. Perhaps the biggest reason for this restriction that’s worth mentioning is the fact that Chromebook devices use what’s known as UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) firmware. This is as opposed to the traditional BIOS that most people are used to.

The former is supposed to be a significant step up from the latter. Furthermore, for various reasons, this method of installing a different operating system on your Chromebook isn’t going to work on all Chromebook devices out there.

However, we have chosen a method that has the highest chance of getting you the results that you want to see. Having said all of that, here is everything that you need to know about how to install Windows on Chromebook with USB in 2023!

Installing Windows on Chromebook Without USB – Getting Started

Now, we’ll take a brief breather before jumping into the specifics of how to install Windows on Chromebook without USB. We’ll be going into greater detail on a few of the all-important elements that any user who wants to perform this activity should have in mind.

Perhaps the most important thing to keep in mind here is the fact that this process may (at least, to an extent) put the information and data on your Chromebook at risk. Because of this, the first thing that you should do when you want to install a different OS on your device is to back up all your files.

That way, you lose nothing essential or critical should something go wrong during the process.

The need to back up your data becomes even more imperative if you suspect that your current OS, firmware, or BIOS isn’t in optimal condition.

As such, backing up your data well ahead of time puts you in a position where you don’t put anything relevant at unnecessary risk.

Of course, in terms of backing up your things, you have several options. You can either opt to do so with a flash drive or simply back up all you need on a cloud platform. Which way you swing depends on what you feel is best for you.

Materials Needed to Install Windows on Chromebook Without USB

When it comes to doing something as important as mastering how to install Windows on Chromebook without USB, it goes without saying that you’re going to need to gather together quite a number of tools.

For the particular approach we are adopting the below are the tools that you would have to gather. These resources include:

• A screwdriver;
• A flash drive containing the Windows operating system that you wish to install;
• A flash drive that you will use to collect and back up the data on your Chromebook;
• A USB mouse and keyboard device;
• Another computer device that you will use to make the Windows installation file as well as download the necessary drivers.

When you have gathered all of the tools listed above, we can then proceed to get into the process proper!

How to Install Windows on Chromebook Without USB – The Complete Guide

So, with regard to learning how to install Windows on Chromebook without USB, the first and the most crucial thing that you have to attend to here is checking the model of your device online to see if it supports this exercise.

Once you have verified that your Chromebook device can support this particular activity the next thing you should do is switch off your Chromebook. This you can do by simply pressing down and holding the power button.

You are to then follow this up by flipping over the Chromebook and extracting the device’s bottom case. Move forward to identifying and removing the compose safeguard screw. This is why you have a screwdriver on your list of tools to get.

Follow this up by putting the bottom case on your Chromebook device and connecting the plug to the power adapter.

Now flip over your laptop back again and press the “Esc + Refresh + Power” button combo. This will power on the device. However, it won’t boot normally but instead, load in recovery mode.

At that point, you would get a “Chrome OS is Missing or Damaged” notification. When you see this message, press the “Ctrl + D” key combo. Follow this by pushing the “Enter” key. That will disable the OS verification process.

From here, your device will enter developer mode. You now have to open the “Terminal”. This you can do by pressing the key combo, “Ctrl + Alt + T” and pushing the “Enter” button.

Now, you have to type the following:

CD; curl -LO https://mrchromebox.tech/firmware-util.sh && sudo bash firmware-util.sh

After you have done that, press the “Enter” key and select “Y/Y” for the “Install/Update Full ROM Firmware” choice request.

You will also have to type “U” for the installation of UEFI to commence.

Follow this up by backing up your Chromebook firmware with a flash drive, installing the Windows-supported firmware, and shutting down the device.

Next, download and install Windows ISO on your second computer device, boot up the other, and then pair and the process is done!

Bottom Line

There are quite a number of steps involved in learning how to install Windows on Chromebook without USB. That much is sure. However, by following our guidelines carefully and to the letter, we are confident that you will not experience any hassle getting this done.

And with that, you will be able to comfortably and easily have access to Windows apps and programs on even your Chromebook!

Don’t waste another moment and get to working this magic now!