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Google'due south Chrome Bone started every bit an incredibly rudimentary platform with a browser and…well, that's was basically everything. Since and so, it has expanded to support more native features via Chrome updates, too as Android and Linux apps. Linux support is still relatively new — information technology rolled out widely in Chrome v69. In the upcoming Chrome v71 and 72, Google will make Linux feel more useful and integrated on Chromebooks.

Chrome Bone Linux support, besides known as Crostini, lets you install apps either via repositories and flatpak files downloaded online. Nigh Linux apps should work as well on a Chromebook as they do on a native Linux system. There are still some gaps that make Linux apps experience like "2nd-class apps" on a Chromebook, though. For example, there's no GPU acceleration. Google isn't doing anything virtually that just yet, but information technology is addressing the frustrating file management segregation.

Currently, Linux apps have their ain file arrangement in Chrome Bone, and they cannot encounter anything outside of that. If y'all desire to admission a file downloaded in Chrome in a Linux app, you lot first need to export information technology to the Linux container. To upload information technology someplace, y'all demand to export back to Chrome OS. In Chrome v71, Google will add together an selection to share any Chrome Bone binder with Linux. Just right click in the Files app, and click "Share with Linux." The folder will appear in the Linux file organization, saving you lot several steps. In Chrome OS v72, the sharing features will get more useful. Chrome's file manager integrates with Google Drive, so the sharing features will expand there, besides.

Also in Chrome v71, Linux app processes volition no longer exist as a unmarried monolithic process in the Chrome OS task managing director. Right now, you can't see how individual apps are running or manage those processes — Chrome OS merely lists the overall Linux virtual machine and all the things it's doing as one item. Chrome v71 separates all the processes for individual Linux apps.

Linux support is in the Chrome stable channel, simply information technology's all the same a little rough around the edges. When things break, there'due south no official way to close down the Linux virtual car other than restarting your device. Chrome v71 will address that, too. Right-clicking on the terminal icon offers the pick to close down Linux.

Chrome V71 is currently in the developer aqueduct, and so it needs to motility through beta before reaching stable. It'll probably be a few months before these features arrive on near Chromebooks.

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