This post will show you step by step instructions of how to install the Google Chrome OS in a Virtual Machine. I chose to use VirtualBox to show the step by step, however you should be able to use VMware if you so choose.

The Chrome OS is a very basic Operating System that seems to be designed for use on a netbook. Now you can try out the OS on your current computer.

What you will need:

1. VirtualBox – available for download here for Windows, Linux, and Mac (VirtualBox is usually included in the repositories of most Linux distros)

2. The Chrome OS image – available for download here from gdgt -You will have to sign up on their site to get access to the file

***There is a Chrome OS image available for download as a torrent floating around somewhere. Just make sure it is a .vmdk file.

Now that you have VirtualBox and the .vmdk Chrome OS file

Open up VirtualBox and click New.

You should see the following screen:

Simply click Next.

You should now see the VM Name and OS Type screen:

You can name it anything you want; I simply named it Chrome OS. The OS type should be Other and the version Other. Click Next.

You should now see the Memory Screen:

You can set as much RAM as you would like. I kept it simple and just gave it 256 MB. I recommend that you don’t give any VM any more that half of the total RAM you have in your computer.

You should now see the Virtual Hard Disk Screen:

Click ‘use existing hard disk’ and then click the folder on the right.

The Virtual Media Manager window should pop up:

Simply click ‘Add’ and find the .vmdk file you downloaded from gdgt. Once you have clicked ‘Add’ it should show up in the Virtual Media Manager window. You will need to select it and then click ‘Select’ at the bottom.

You will go back to the Virtual Hard Disk screen. Just click next.

You should now see the Summary Screen:

Click ‘Finish’.

Now you should be back to the VirtualBox main screen and Chrome OS should be on the left side.

You will need to click ‘Chrome OS’ on the left (to highlight it) and then click ‘Start’.

Welcome to the Chrome OS

You will need to use your Gmail login info to login. Type in your Gmail username then TAB and type in your password.

Once logged in, you will see your email. The tabs across the top are as follows:

The Google Accounts screen:

The Gmail screen:

The Google Calendar Screen:

The Web:

So all in all, Chrome OS is a very simple and very ‘light’ operating system. This OS will be great for a netbook and will provide a great option for those looking for a very cheap computer/OS package. Take a look at the OS yourself and let me know what you think in the comments.