Microsoft has ended support for the Windows 10 in October 2025, yet millions of users continue to use the operating system as their primary platform. ChromeOS Flex offers a potential alternative to Redmond's old system, and Google has now launched a new partnership aimed at making the cloud-based operating system easier to install.
Google has partnered with Back Market, a company that specializes in refurbished tech, to bring ChromeOS Flex to even more users and organizations. The company continues to promote ChromeOS Flex as a way to turn old laptops into secure, sustainable, and fully supported machines. Thanks to the new partnership, the ChromeOS Flex fork now comes with its own USB kit.
Google said that The ChromeOS Flex USB Kit is a physical USB dongle priced at $3 or €3. Customers can use the USB to quickly install the web-based operating system on Windows or Mac machines, replacing their “outdated” operating system with a modern computing experience. The USB dongle, which is already sold out on Back Market’s website, is designed as a handy tool to combat any planned operating system obsolescence.
Google acknowledges that maintaining software support can be difficult, and Microsoft isn't the only major tech company facing these issues. In the past, the Mountain View company has extended guaranteed software updates for Chromebooks and Pixel phones to 10 and seven years, respectively.
Windows 10 remains an extremely popular operating system, and the number of machines that cannot be upgraded to Windows 11 is constantly growing. Google is now actively promoting ChromeOS Flex as an alternative platform to keep these older machines functional, at least for web browsing and for less demanding tasks.
Although the press releases will range from very select to rare, I said I'd pass...because sometimes the editors hide.
