With Windows 10 support running out and millions of PCs unable to run Windows 11, Google says it has a free solution, and it is available right now. The company said that it is partnering with Back Market to save PCs from reaching the landfill as those PCs that were not compatible to run Windows 11, they can upgrade it through the new ChromeOS Flex USB Kit for free.According to a report by Forbes, 500 million Windows 10 machines were not compatible with Windows 11 upgrade. Google is offering ChromeOS Flex, a free, cloud-based operating system that the company says can breathe new life into older PCs and Macs that can no longer keep up with the demands of modern Windows.“You can transform your aging, unsupported laptop into a fast, secure and sustainable machine for free. Refresh the devices that you already own at no cost with a modern, cloud-based operating system that’s secure and easy to manage,” Google announced last week.The offer itself is not brand new as ChromeOS Flex has been available for some time. The launch of ChromeOS Flex USB Kit in partnership with Back Market, a refurbished electronics marketplace, makes the installation process more accessible for everyday users who may not be comfortable navigating technical software installations on their own.Notably, the USB kit itself is not free, and it is priced at around $3 but the operating system it installs comes at no cost. The kit is also reusable, and Google has partnered with sustainability organisation Closing the Loop to minimise the e-waste associated with its production.
Why this matters
Microsoft officially ended mainstream support for Windows 10 last October, but the problem did not disappear when that deadline passed. Windows 11 has a strict set of hardware requirements — particularly around processor specifications that millions of perfectly functional older PCs simply cannot meet. The result is an unusually large number of users stranded on an operating system that is no longer receiving full security support.“Microsoft’s decision to end-of-life Windows 10 last October left many people with a difficult decision: spend hundreds on a new device, or continue using an insecure, outdated one,” the company said.Beyond security, Google is making a second argument for ChromeOS Flex: one centred on sustainability.“The manufacturing process of a new laptop is responsible for a large part of its carbon footprint. ChromeOS Flex allows the already-manufactured device to be used for longer, which keeps hardware out of landfills and avoids the emissions of making a new device,” Google notes. The company adds that ChromeOS consumes 19% less energy on average than comparable operating systems.ChromeOS Flex is a cloud-first operating system. It works best for users whose computing lives revolve around a web browser, including email, streaming, document editing through Google Workspace, video calls and general web browsing. For those users, it is genuinely capable and the transition may feel surprisingly smooth.For users who rely on specific Windows software, ChromeOS is not a like-for-like replacement and the limitations will be felt quickly.