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So, what to do with your Chromebook after its end of life? We will cover what happens when the automatic updates expire on your device.

Find the End of Life for Your Chromebook Device

You must find out the end of life or auto-expiration date for your Chromebook before you make a purchase. Otherwise, you will be at risk of purchasing a Chromebook that may stop receiving auto-updates and technical support in a couple of years. Whether you’re purchasing a budget Chromebook or one of the high-end ones, not being able to maximize your investment can be disappointing.

Chromebook’s AUE is tied to the underlying platform being used by the Chromebook, not to the date of purchase or the device itself. A new Chromebook model might use an older platform, which makes it a little tricky to determine the AUE. Unfortunately, Chromebooks do not have an AUE mentioned on their packaging. But you can simply visit the Google Auto Update policy page to find a list of all Chromebooks and their corresponding AUE dates. Alternatively, you can also go to your Chromebook settings to find out when your device will receive its last update.

Once EOL is reached, you will receive a notification warning you about its expiration and suggesting that you avoid using it beyond the AUE date. But here’s the thing: Although most people refer to EOL or AUE date as expiration date, it’s practically more like a “best-before” date. Technically, you can continue using your Chromebook after the AUE date. Just don’t expect to receive the latest software updates or any technical support after that.

Chromebook Updates are Important

If you’re one of those people who don’t care much about the end of auto-update support, here are a few reasons why you should:

• Within the first six weeks, you will be missing out on a significant revision. Google releases updates for its Chrome OS every two to three weeks with minor fixes and issues a major update every six weeks. That’s the regular schedule, but updates can happen even more frequently.
• It’s not just a few improvements and new features that your Chromebook will be lacking. Chromebook updates include critical bug fixes and security updates as well.
• Some existing features may also stop working.

• If your device stops working as expected, you won’t be entitled to any technical support from Google.
• You will not be able to use some applications and extensions down the line that require a specific Chrome OS or browser version.
• For devices with Chrome Education Upgrade or Chrome Enterprise Upgrade, the Admin console may not work as usual. And this is in addition to the fact that administrators won’t be able to utilize the new features released after AUE is reached.

Google Supports Devices for a Maximum of Eight Years

This whole concept of an expiration date tied to your Chromebook may be annoying. But if you do your market research prior to purchasing a Chromebook, you could be enjoying auto-update support for as long as eight years. But remember, eight years is not standard for all Chromebooks.

Google extended its AUE for newer Chromebook models that have platforms launched in 2020 or beyond. Starting from the device platform release date, all Chromebooks using that platform will receive auto-update support for eight years. To be exact, the support will end in the month of June, following the completion of those eight years. So the exact AUE date may be a bit more or less than precisely eight years. The lines do get a bit blurry, so the only way to know for sure is to refer to the Google Auto Update policy page or the Chromebook’s settings.

Extend the Life of Your Chromebook with Parallels Desktop for Chromebook

Technically, you can keep using your Chromebook beyond its AUE for as long as it works. But if you’re not comfortable doing that, there’s a workaround that allows you to enjoy an up-to-date OS without switching your Chromebook. With Parallels®️ Desktop for Chromebook Enterprise, you can run a Windows virtual machine on Chrome OS. You can run your applications on the Windows virtual machine, which will still be getting the latest Windows updates.

Using Windows on Chromebook with Parallels Desktop for Chrome OS is seamless because of mouse, camera, microphone and USB smart-card reader support that provides full integration with Chrome Enterprise solutions. You can also print directly from Windows applications to Chrome OS printers. You can switch instantly between Windows and Chrome OS without rebooting your device and even move content between the two environments through a shared clipboard. And because it allows you to run full-featured Windows applications, including Microsoft Office, you can leverage the full power of Windows while enjoying all the benefits of a Chrome OS.

Interested in trying out Parallels Desktop for Chrome OS? Download a free trial!

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What Is Chromebook Developer Mode?

Chromebook Developer Mode opens up your Chromebook, freeing you from the restrictions Google imposes on users. Chrome OS is designed to be as simple as possible for users and custom-built for essential Google services only. For this reason, Chromebook offers its users limited freedom compared with conventional PCs. Despite the name, Developer Mode is intended not only for development work. Instead, it removes restrictions, opening up Chrome OS for third-party applications and third-party operating systems.

By default, Chromebooks are limited to applications from the Google Play Store and (on many devices) Linux applications enabled by the relatively new, optional Linux subsystem for Chrome OS. With Developer Mode, users can install applications from any other source or install Linux as the primary operating system and thus turn their Chromebook into a Linux laptop without the software limitations that Chrome OS has. For example, a lightweight Linux distribution allows you to use a fully functional, second operating system, which gives you even more liberties in terms of software and system access. Developers can now test and debug applications with different operating systems or use Linux as a development environment. Regular users also gain the freedom of choice for their operating system on Chromebooks. All this without losing Chrome OS, which you can still boot into if you choose so.

However, there are some drawbacks to activating this potentially very useful mode. It does, for example, remove some security features of Chrome OS that are designed to prevent malware from effectively attacking your system. That’s because Developer Mode eliminates the security feature that allows you to install only certified applications. This can be particularly problematic in a business context. Users normally have very limited access to Chrome OS—unless this lock is removed manually. With the latest devices, you may also void your warranty. Perhaps the biggest downside to enabling Developer Mode is that this procedure wipes all of your user data.

How Can You Enable Chromebook Developer Mode?

Before you begin enabling Developer Mode, you should create a backup of all important data currently on your Chromebook on an external storage device, as this data will be lost during the process. And, when you disable Developer Mode, all data from your personal download folder is similarly wiped.

Enabling Developer Mode requires little more than a restart and a keyboard shortcut.

1. Turn on your Chromebook, or reboot it if it’s already on by pressing and holding the Esc and Refresh keys at the same time and then also pressing the Power button. The Chromebook starts and stops with the message Chrome OS is missing or damaged. This isn’t an error – the Chromebook is simply in recovery mode.

2. Now press Ctrl and D to start Developer Mode. After a few minutes, Developer Mode is enabled.

Each time you restart the Chromebook, it will display the warning OS verification is OFF and sound a beep to alert the user that this mode is active. However, you can use the Ctrl + D shortcut again to skip this message and accelerate the startup process. You need to be careful when restarting your Chromebook. If you press the spacebar while this message is displayed, you will disable Developer Mode and re-wipe your user data.

Access Windows Development Tools and Applications with Parallels Desktop for Chrome OS

While Developer Mode offers users more liberties with their Chromebooks, it won’t turn Chrome OS into a regular desktop OS with millions of applications to choose from like Windows. Additionally, while more flexibility looks like a welcome feature for Chromebooks, dropping security features in exchange is not a good trade-off in the business space. If companies want to use Chromebooks in a productive way without compromising the security of their devices, they need a solution that is tailored to professional use. Parallels® Desktop for Chromebook Enterprise provides business users with a simple, professional option for using Windows, applications and development environments like Visual Studio in an approved, secure way on Chromebooks. It allows Chromebook users to unlock all the capabilities of professional Windows applications with the full backing and support of their IT department.

Parallels Desktop for Chromebook OS opens up Chrome OS for all Windows applications (provided the hardware requirements are met). If a company wants to use this solution for its Chrome fleet, all it needs to have in place are the Google Admin Console, a corporate storage server for distributing Windows images, and licenses for Windows and Parallels Desktop.

Learn more about Parallels Desktop for Chrome OS and download a free trial!

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Chromebook Enterprise Enrollment is the process of enrolling your Chromebook as part of a particular organization. It benefits organizations by enabling administrators to manage Chrome device updates and policies, allow or deny website access, view and configure applications and extensions, and manage Chrome devices with Active Directory from a centralized location. 

What Is Enterprise Enrollment? 

Centralized management is a desirable feature for every administrator. Enterprise Enrollment on Chrome OS is one method for achieving centralization. Enterprise Enrollment marks devices and enrolls them as part of a particular organization, thus enabling better management. 

Enrollment requirements 

Requirements for enrolling a Chrome device are: 

• Only devices without an owner can be enrolled. 

• Only enterprise users can enroll the devices. 

Enrollment Scenarios 

There are four different types of enrollment scenarios. Choosing which one to use depends on what initiates the enrollment, if the user can avoid enrollment, and how authentication and authorization is to occur. The different types of enrollment scenarios are: 

• Manual enrollment 

As the name suggests, enrollment is done manually on the login screen via the Ctrl+Alt+E shortcut. Users must authenticate using a username and password or can cancel the enrollment attempt and return to the login screen. 

• Re-enrollment 

If a device is already enrolled, it needs to be enrolled again by navigating to Device Management > Chrome > Device Settings > Enrollment & Access from https://admin.google.com/. The authentication process is the same as in the manual enrollment case. 

• OEM-triggered enrollment 

OEM-triggered enrollment occurs based on the special OEM manifest that device manufacturers provide. It indicates if the device should be enrolled or if enrollment is forced. The authentication process is the same as in the manual enrollment case.  

• Offline demo-mode enrollment 

Intended for demo Chrome OS features, this enrollment does not require a network connection and enrolls devices to a fixed domain by using local resource policy. It is triggered during the initial setup using the Ctrl + Alt + D shortcut. This method does not require authentication. 

How do you Enterprise Enroll Your Chromebook? 

Enterprise Enrolling your Chromebook is a simple process. Chrome OS is a cloud-native operating system that simply requires an internet connection to an enterprise. To Enterprise Enroll it, follow these steps: 

1. Connect to an enterprise wireless network. Chrome OS checks and applies the latest security patches and operating system updates set by the enterprise administrator. 

2. Sign in to your Chromebook once the enterprise updates are completed. 

3. Navigate to the Enterprise Enrollment screen in one of the following ways: 

• Click More options on the sign-in screen, and select Enterprise Enrollment. 

or 

• Press Ctrl+ E to open the Enterprise Enrollment screen. 

4. Log in with your administrator account or a user account that has enrollment permissions. 

In a matter of seconds, your device is Enterprise Enrolled, unlocking Chrome enterprise policies and management capabilities. Now your Chromebook is a managed device, and the user is ready to sign in. To double-check if the Chrome device is Enterprise Enrolled, navigate to the Google Admin Console >> Devices >> Chrome devices tile and you should see your device count increase. 

What Are the Benefits of Chromebook Enterprise Enrollment? 

There are many benefits of Chromebook Enterprise Enrollment, but the ones that stand out are the ability to: 

• Manage Chrome device policies with ease. 

As a Chromebook Enterprise administrator, you can set device-level policies, user-level policies, and application and extension policies for Chromebooks and other devices that are enrolled in your organization. 

• View and configure applications and extensions. 

You can also view applications, add the desired applications, block applications and set policies for an application from the Google Admin console. Additionally, you can also install, block or set policies for extensions on enrolled devices with ease. 

• Update Chrome devices more easily. 

Once your enterprise enrolls your devices, you can update the operating system of the devices in your organization. Chrome releases full OS updates every 6 weeks, and minor updates occur every 2-3 weeks. You can automatically update all the enrolled devices with ease. 

• Manage Chrome devices with Active Directory. 

You can also integrate your enrolled Chromebooks with the Microsoft Active Directory server. You can use Windows Group Policy to manage integrated devices and push Active Directory policies to users and devices. 

• Restrict, allow or deny access to websites. 

With enterprise enrollment, you can also allow or deny access to websites with ease, thus restricting and allowing users’ internet access. This helps increase productivity and protects your organization from viruses and malicious content. 

Learn more about the partnership between Parallels® and Chrome Enterprise! 

References: 

1. Enterprise Enrollment on Chrome OS: https://chromium.googlesource.com/chromium/src.git/+/master/docs/enterprise/enrollment.md

2. Manage Policies for Chrome Devices: https://support.google.com/chrome/a/topic/6274424?hl=en&ref_topic=4386913

3. Enroll Chromebooks on Enterprise Domain: https://cbookreviewguide.com/chromebook-blog/enroll-chromebooks-on-enterprise-domain/

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Chromebooks have become increasingly popular with remote-first companies because they are portable, low-priced and have a super-fast sandboxed OS. However, unlike the Windows OS, you cannot install third-party software or legacy applications—all the applications you use must come from the Google Play Store or Chrome Web Store. 

For some third-party applications, though, you can use online versions that are not as productive as their desktop counterparts. However, when it comes to the legacy line of Windows applications, you can’t use them—even with internet connectivity. For the first time, Parallels^® is enabling Windows 10 on Chrome, via its Parallels^® Desktop for Chromebook Enterprise. 

What Is Parallels Desktop for Chromebook Enterprise? 

Parallels Desktop for Chromebook Enterprise is yet another world’s first in desktop virtualization technology by Parallels, a global leader in cross-platform solutions. It allows a full version of Windows 10 to boot in a virtual machine (VM) on a Chromebook. Parallels Desktop for Chromebook Enterprise has been created in a collaboration between Google and Parallels. This partnership will help organizations run Windows 10 applications on new high-power Chromebooks coming to market. 

With Parallels Desktop for Chromebook Enterprise you can run any Windows 10 application—including legacy software—alongside Chrome OS and Android applications. You can launch any Microsoft Office suite application, for example, while browsing on your favorite Chrome browser. 

Likewise, you can drag and drop folders and files from Windows File Explorer to Chrome Local Explorer and vice versa. You can also swap between a Chrome OS and Windows 10 without rebooting your Chromebook and choose which applications you want to launch. Feature highlights for Parallels Desktop for Chromebook Enterprise include: 

• Seamless access to Windows users folders: Typically, Windows 10 user profiles and settings get stored in a local profile. Parallels Desktop for Chromebook Enterprise redirects your local profile to the Windows files section on the Chrome OS. By redirecting your local profile, Parallels Desktop for Chromebook Enterprise eliminates duplicate files within the Chromebook. It also allows you to access Windows 10 files even when the OS is offline. 
• Share any Chrome OS folder with Windows: You can select any folder (e.g. Downloads or Google Drive folder) in Chrome OS Files application and share it with Windows. Now you can open files in this folder with Windows application or save your Windows document in this folder.  
• Quick access to settings:  The device bar has a robust menu that you can use to perform many useful tasks without digging around for specific applications. For example, you can use the device bar to access printers, keyboard shortcuts, and shared folders, among other things. 
• Ability to suspend and resume Windows 10 in seconds: Suspending Windows 10 is, in many ways, similar to closing the laptop’s lid, which moves it to sleeping mode. You can use the suspend/resume feature in Parallels Desktop for Chrome Enterprise to quickly start and stop Windows 10 instead of the time-consuming Windows shut down and boot features. And all your opened apps and documents will be waiting for you, without using CPU or memory. 
• Seamless switch between Chrome OS and Windows via mouse movements: To capture and direct the input to a VM, Parallels Desktop for Chromebook Enterprise grabs the mouse and keyboard so that all the mouse moves and keystrokes get to the VM. The process of switching from the host to the guest OS is simple. Any time you slide the mouse in a Windows 10 application, it captures the input in that application so long as the mouse is moving over its window. When the pointer moves outside the window, it automatically releases the input to Chrome OS.  
• Share network settings between Chrome OS and Windows: By default, Windows 10 shares network settings with Chrome OS. As such, Windows 10 applications can access other machines on the local network and internet via the Internet Protocol (IP) address of your Chromebook with ease. Shared networking is advantageous because it supports host proxy configurations and Windows Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) that offer enhanced security. 
• Reuse VMs created in Parallels Desktop for Mac: Parallels Desktop for Chromebook Enterprise allows IT administrators to move Windows 10 VMs to new Chromebooks seamlessly. When you purchase a new Chromebook, you don’t have to install the VM if you had previously created it on a Mac with Parallels Desktop for Mac—simply transfer the existing Windows 10 VM to your new Chromebook and get up and running. 
• Simplified provisioning and administration of Windows applications and desktops: Parallels Desktop for Chromebook Enterprise provides centralized deployment and management capabilities as it is integrated into Google Admin console. This allows IT administrators to streamline the delivery of Windows applications and desktops on Chromebooks. When users launch Parallels Desktop for Chromebook Enterprise from the OS Launcher, their VMs specified by IT admins get downloaded automatically, and they are ready to go. 
• Ability to share the host’s printer with Windows: With Parallels Desktop for Chromebook Enterprise, you can print from Windows 10 to any printer available on the Chrome OS without installing the drivers on the VM. By default, Parallels Desktop for Chromebook Enterprise configures a virtual serial port to communicate with Chrome OS printers. 

What Are the Benefits of Using Windows 10 on Chromebook? 

A Chromebook is a solid enterprise computer. And as remote working and schooling become the new norm, its growth prospects are even higher. But the truth is that running Windows 10 on Chromebook is still a compelling argument for businesses due to the following reasons: 

Some applications don’t run in Chrome OS. 

Users need to have fully functional devices in a digital workspace. As such, you must equip your laptops with enough applications, including ones for productivity, video editing, video playback and photo editing. For Windows PCs, this is possible. However, for Chrome OS, it’s still a work in progress. 

Also, Chromebooks lack the wide range of enterprise-grade applications that you find in Windows. There are plenty of researchers, engineers and other specialists who find themselves locked to Windows because of certain industry-standard applications that you can’t get with Chrome applications.  

It gives the ability to work offline. 

Chrome OS and its applications rely heavily on a solid internet connection. While some applications do have offline capabilities, your Chromebook must be sanctioned by Google to work with Android applications. Also, offline applications often miss certain features, potentially leading to poor user experience. With Windows, you can do more, even while in offline mode. Running Windows 10 on Chromebooks would be a better alternative for employees with intermittent internet connectivity.  

It enhances productivity. 

For most businesses, Windows 10 is still the go-to OS when it comes to getting work done. Chromebooks, on the other hand, are portable, low-cost, and secure. When you integrate Windows 10 with Chrome OS, you get the best of both worlds, in terms of:   

• Time savings while transferring files. With a shared clipboard, you can directly copy and paste files from Chrome OS to Windows 10 and vice versa without performing any configurations.  
• Storage space savings. Chrome OS apps can directly access Windows user folders via a shared user profile redirected to the Chrome OS’s Windows file section. This doesn’t generate any duplicates. You can also access these files even when Windows is offline.   
• Flexibility when accessing Chrome OS folders from Windows. While in Windows, you can easily access the shared Chrome OS folders, including One Drive and Google Drive, and save Windows files in them.  
• Dynamic screen resolution. While in Windows, altering screen resolution is simple: just click and drag the window’s edge on Windows 10, and you’re set.   
• Ability to utilize full screen in Windows 10. Using an entire screen in Windows 10 is straightforward: you simply click on the maximize button in the window’s top-right corner. You can place the Windows 10 on a separate workspace and resume operations in Chrome OS via a single swipe. 
• Ability to open windows web links from any location. Deciding where you want Windows web links opened is up to you. You can open them in Chrome OS or use your favorite browser, such as Edge or Mozilla Firefox, to launch them. 
• Associating Windows apps to open on Chrome OS. Via Chrome OS’s “Open With” context menu, you can easily assign certain Windows apps to be the default programs for launching some file types.  
• Hassle-free printing. By sharing Chrome OS’s printers with Windows 10 and vice versa, you can flexibly use them without installing appropriate printer drivers. 

Read more about the partnership between Parallels and Chrome Enterprise! 

References 

The Verge|https://www.theverge.com/2020/7/31/21348963/google-chrome-os-windows-apps-chromebooks-features-interview 

Parallels| https://www.parallels.com/products/desktop/chrome/ 

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