How to install Linux including UI on Chrome OS
To start, you need to have Linux enabled on your Chromebook. To do that, go to settings > Linux > Turn On. Now, you can use the terminal to install Linux apps.
We are going to install KDE using the terminal. It's a good idea to change the password to keep the things secure instead of working with the default password.
In case, if it asked for an old password that you don't remember, you can turn off Linux and turn it on again to clear all the Linux files in your System.
To change the password, open terminal, and type
sudo passwd rootyou cannot even see those password dots while typing. Don't worry you can just continue typing the password.
You have successfully changed the password for Linux. In case, if KDE promoted for password anytime, you can use this password to log-in again.
Now, to install KDE, type the following command.
sudo apt-get install task-kde-desktop
It took around 45 minutes to install KDE on your Chromebook. So, Sit back, relax, and once the installation process is completed, you can launch KDE by typing the following command in the terminal.
startkde
It worked absolutely fine for me, but if you got some display error while installing you can use the following code in the terminal and click enter. It will add the code into Linux files and solves the problem. If there are no errors for you, you can leave this step.
cp /etc/X11/xinit/xinitrc ~/.xinitrc
Once your Linux Desktop is installed and running, you can right-click to add widgets, shortcuts, etc. All the Linux apps you have installed from the terminal before can be accessible from the KDE's application menu.
You can still access the Chrome OS by closing the terminal. To access the KDE, just open the terminal and type 'startkde'.
In case, if KDE prompts for a password, you can use the password we set earlier.
As a tip, Chrome OS supports multiple desktops, you can open KDE on one Desktop and Chrome OS and another. So you can shift easily between Linux and Chrome OS with a three-finger swipe shortcut on the trackpad.
Also Read: How to cast Android screen on Linux
Updated: October 12, 2021