Part of the reason for that is Chrome's easy-to-use Remote Desktop feature that lets your Chromebook connect to a PC that's running Windows - your desktop back home, for example, or the work laptop you left on in your office.Ĭhrome Remote Desktop lets you use the software on a Windows PC from a Chromebook. Pass the remoteĬhromebooks make great secondary devices to a Windows PC or Mac. And although you may not be able to install Windows software directly on a Chromebook, you have other options for accessing the software tools you want or need. Then why does the headline of this story say that you can? Because, while Chromebooks are still known for their browser-in-a-box past, they've evolved well beyond their simplistic roots. By that I mean if you have software specifically made for Windows or Mac operating systems, it won't work directly on a Chromebook. But there is one thing that continues to exasperate people new to Chromebooks as well as stop a lot of potential buyers in their tracks: Chromebooks can not natively install and run Windows or Mac software. Most people will find they're perfect for their needs. Chromebooks are simple, secure, generally affordable and free of many of the hassles associated with Windows PCs.

Portable apps for chromebook