How To Run exe Files On Chromebook?

Chromebooks run on the Chrome operating system and allow you to install Android apps. However, they can't run Windows apps by default and therefore they can't execute .exe files. This is why one of the most commonly asked questions among Chromebook new users is how to open exe files on their Chromebook.

In this post, we will discuss if you can run exe files on Chromebook and the possible different ways of doing it.

How to run exe files on Chromebook

Can Chromebook Run .exe Files?

Yes, you can run .exe files on a Chromebook with the right tools, even when not running Windows. Exe files are primarily designed to run on Windows, but there are multiple ways of running the .exe files on Chromebook like using third-party apps or accessing Windows computers remotely.

With their long list of full-featured apps, Chromebooks may be a nice productivity tool. But it has its limitations, particularly its inability to run Windows-based programs.

Fortunately, you can open and run exe files on Chromebooks, allowing you to leverage useful Windows programs such as full versions of the Adobe apps and Microsoft Office.

How To Run .exe Files On A Chromebook?

There are at least 5 different ways of running exe files on Chromebook:

Using Wine App
Access a Windows Computer Remotely
Using Crossover
Using AppOnFly
Using Parallels Desktop App

Let’s check each method one by one:

1. How To Run EXE Files On Chromebook Using Wine App

You can use Wine App for Chromebook to run exe files even on your school Chromebook.

Wine app is an open-sourced, free compatibility app often used to let computer games and application software for Windows operating on Unix-like operating systems.

Here's how to run exe files on Chromebook Linux using Wine App.

Step 1: Install Linux Development Environment

Click on the "Settings" icon
Click on "Advanced > Developers".
Turn on the "Linux development environment" option.
Click on "Next" and Install Linux on your Chromebook

Follow the prompts/instructions and wait for the installation process to finish. The process can take roughly 10 minutes. This will allow us to use Linux commands.

Step 2: Install Wine App

Open a Terminal Session from the App Menu.
Enable x32 build architecture for Wine

Enter thes command on the terminal and then press enter:
```
sudo dpkg --add-architecture i386
```
Download Wine App Security Key

Enter the following command and press enter:
```
wget -nc https://dl.winehq.org/wine-builds/winehq.key
```
Add Wine Security Key to your system

Enter the following command and press enter:
```
sudo apt-key add winehq.key
```
You might see a warning. Just ignore it.

Add Wine Repository to your system

Enter the following command and then press enter:

echo "deb https://dl.winehq.org/wine-builds/debian/ bullseye main" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/wine_chrome_os_made_simple.list

Add Wine Repository - Exe Chromebook Wine App

Update your Linux Apps

Enter the following command and then press enter:
```
sudo apt update -y
```
Install Wine

Enter the following command and then press enter:
```
sudo apt install --install-recommends winehq-stable
```
You will be prompted to confirm the installation. Press "enter" again.

Step 3. Install additional Wine Packages To Use .exe Files

Create Wine Configuration.

Enter the following command and then press enter:
```
winecfg
```
Some messages will pop up. Click on "install" until you finish.
Install a File Manager to launch .exe applications

Enter the following command and then press enter:
```
sudo apt install nemo
```
You will be prompted to confirm the installation. Press "enter" again.

Step 4. Open .exe Files

Move your .exe files to the "Linux Files" folder.
Open the file by running the command "wine nameOfYourFile.exe" on your terminal.
Go to your Apps and look for "Linux Apps" to find your installed Windows apps.

You can also create a link to Wine Folder so it seems similar to Windows System.

Use the following command in your terminal:

ln -s  /home/username/.wine/drive_c/users/username/Desktop /home/username/wine

Did you know that by installing Linux you can also use OBS on Chromebook?

2. Run EXE Files On Chromebook With Remote Access

Note: This method requires an additional Windows Computer

You can also open exe files on Chromebook by using a windows computer remotely. If you have a Windows computer, here's how to run an exe file on Chromebook

Step 1: Download and Install Chrome Remote Desktop on your Windows Computer
Step 2: Set a PIN

Enter the necessary information, choose a pin then, click start.
Step 3: Go to "Remote Support" and choose "+ Generate Code".

You will need this code later to access your Windows PC from the Chromebook.
Step 4: Access your Windows computer remotely
1. Open Chrome on your Chromebook and enter the following URL: "remotedesktop.google.com/access''
2. Click ''Access"
3. Input the code you generated earlier.

Your Chromebook and Windows computer are now connected, allowing you to control your Windows PC remotely.

Learn how to Jailbreak a Chromebook and have total control over it.

3. How To Run EXE Files On Chromebook Using Crossover

You can also use the Crossover app, a PC emulation software for running Windows-based programs to run exe files on your Chromebook. Here’s how.

Step 1: Enable Linux Development Environment

Go to the "Settings" icon and click on "Advanced > Developers". Turn on the "Linux development environment" option. Follow the instructions to install the Linux environment.
Step 2: Download Crossover for ChromeOS

You will have to enter your name and email.
Step 3. Install Crossover with Linux Apps.
Step 4: Launch Crossover

Launch the Crossover app from your "Linux Apps" and then look for the "unknown app". Choose "Install Unlisted Applications".
Step 5: Open any .exe file.

Save your file under the "Linux Files Folder" and double-click to run it. The .exe should now be open and running on the Chromebook.

You can also install Windows Apps directly from the Crossover application.

4. How To Run EXE Files On Chromebook Using AppOnFly

AppOnFly is a cloud-based Remote Desktop service that lets the user get quick access to their Windows apps.

Step 1: Sign-up for a free trial
Step 2: Run your .exe files online on the online remote desktop

5. How To Run EXE Files On Chromebook Using Parallels Desktop App

Parallels Desktop is a software designed to let users run Windows applications on their Chromebooks. Here's how to use it to open exe files.

You will need a Windows disc image (ISO file) to use this method. Check also the minimum system requirements to use it.

Step 1: Download & Install Parallels Desktop for ChromeOS
Step 2: Download Windows Disc Image (.iso file) on your "Downloads" Folder.
Step 3: Create a Windows Virtual Machine

Open Chrome and press "Ctrl + Alt + T" to open Crosh Terminal. Enter the following command :
```
vmc create -p PvmDefault <filename.iso>.
```
Where the filename is the name of your Windows .iso disk image file.
Step 4: Start Parallax Desktop
Step 5. Install "Parallels Tools" to add a set of Windows drivers
Step 5. Open any .exe file

Different Ways of Running EXE Files On Chromebook

You can run exe files on Chromebook using a variety of methods. You can use third-party apps like Wine or have your Windows ISO file on hand.

You can also splurge for a license and install Parallel Desktop. The choice is yours.

What's important is to follow the instructions on how to run exe files on Chromebook carefully. You should be able to use programs on your notebook that weren't previously available for the Chrome OS.

References

Set up Parallels Desktop for ChromeOS [Google Support]