Flex is a version of ChromeOS that can be installed on old Windows PCs and Mac systems for free. Google is now offering businesses an auto-updating version for Windows machines.
Microsoft officially ends support for Windows 10 in October 2025, and while it’s pledged to extend security updates for those who can’t make the move to Windows 11, it won’t be free. If you’re in this predicament, Google has a suggestion for businesses: install ChromeOS Flex.
Flex, introduced in 2022, is a version of ChromeOS that can be installed on old Windows PCs and Mac systems for free, giving them new life as Google-powered devices. Google is now offering businesses an auto-updating version for existing Windows machines.
“This modernizes devices, extending their lifespan and keeping them out of landfills, reducing their attack surface, and saving on hardware refresh costs,” Naveen Viswanatha, ChromeOS Head of Product, Commercial, wrote in a blog post.
Viswanatha says the ChromeOS team has certified nearly 600 devices for ChromeOS Flex.
“You can boot up your device from the USB drive to experience ChromeOS Flex without erasing your existing operating system, and when you’re ready, ChromeOS Flex can be installed at no cost in as little as 5 minutes,” he says.
Per Canalys, 240 million PCs are set to become e-waste when Windows 10 becomes obsolete, which is approximately one-fifth of all PCs. Most of those PCs could be easily recycled but a lack of compatibility with the latest Windows operating system limits their value, even in a resale market.
Come October 2025, your Windows 10 PC will still work, but it won’t get security updates, putting sensitive information at risk. Naturally, Viswanatha argues that ChromeOS is the safeat option. “Features like data encryption, automatic updates and sandboxing help protect against malware and other online threats,” he says. “IT controls prevent data loss on lost or stolen devices, and regular security updates provide a continuous line of protection.”
We’re more than a year out from the Windows 10 deadline, so more people may upgrade their PCs by then. We don’t yet know how much it’ll cost to extend Windows 10 support, but there are also rumblings of Windows 12 on the horizon, potentially making Windows 10 even less relevant.