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You can remove Linux from a Chromebook in Settings without powerwashing the device. Back up anything important in the Linux environment first: removing it deletes that environment, including its apps and data.
What removing Linux does—and what it does not
Chromebook Linux, also called the Linux development environment or Crostini, is a Debian environment for running Terminal, Linux command-line tools, APT packages, code editors and other development software. It is not a separate operating system installed alongside ChromeOS. Google describes the feature and its setup in its Chromebook Linux guide.
Removing the environment is different from uninstalling one Linux app or deleting a Terminal shortcut. It removes the Linux environment as a whole, so treat Linux apps, packages, settings and files stored inside it as gone. This operation is not a Chromebook factory reset: it is not intended to remove Android apps, Chrome extensions, web apps or unrelated ChromeOS files. Back up anything important before proceeding.
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Back up Linux and check your files first
Create a Linux backup
ChromeOS can save a Linux backup as a .tini file. Follow Google’s Linux backup and restore instructions:
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- Select the time in the bottom-right corner and open Settings.
- Select Advanced, then Developers, then Linux.
- Open Back up and restore and select Back up.
- Under My files, choose a destination, enter a filename and select Save.
A backup can require considerable free space. If it fails, check Settings → Device → Storage management and free space by moving or deleting files you do not need. You can use Google Drive or compatible external storage for files; see Google’s Files app guidance.
If you may restore the backup on a different Chromebook, note that Google says normal restoration requires the same processor architecture, such as x86 to x86 or ARM to ARM. If architectures differ, the backup can be renamed from .tini to .tar.gz and opened with a compatible archive utility to extract files, but apps and environment configuration may need to be rebuilt.
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Check for files outside Linux
In the Files app, inspect Linux files, My files and Downloads, as well as any folders shared with Linux. Copy important work to Google Drive or external storage. Files already in Drive or on an external device are not erased by removing Linux; local files that matter should be copied somewhere safe.
Consider whether Linux is the space problem
Storage use varies with the Linux disk allocation, packages, source code, development tools and caches, so there is no reliable fixed amount of space you will regain. Before removing Linux, review Settings → Device → Storage management. ChromeOS also reports other space users such as Downloads, offline files, Android storage, browsing data and other users’ local data. Google explains these categories in its storage-management guide.
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Remove the Linux development environment
On a Chromebook with Linux installed and available to your account, use the current Google Settings path:
- Select the time in the bottom-right corner and open Settings.
- Select About ChromeOS, then Developers.
- Open Linux development environment.
- Under Remove Linux development environment, select Remove.
- Confirm the removal if prompted.
The menu wording or placement can vary by ChromeOS version, device and language. If you cannot find it, search Settings for Linux, Linux development environment or Developers. Google’s current removal instructions are in its Linux development environment help page.
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After removal
Linux apps will no longer launch because their environment is gone; reinstall them if you set Linux up again. This does not remove apps installed from Google Play, Chrome extensions or web apps. Those have separate uninstall procedures; Google explains how to uninstall Chromebook apps and extensions and remove web apps.
Restart the Chromebook, then check Settings → Device → Storage management to see the updated storage breakdown. The amount returned depends on what the Linux environment used; removing Linux does not necessarily solve low storage if other categories are taking up space.
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If the Remove option is missing or removal fails
- Linux may not be installed. If there is no Linux environment to remove, the item you have in mind may be an Android app, extension or web app instead.
- The device may not support Linux. Linux is not available on every Chromebook. Check Google’s Linux support and setup information.
- A work or school administrator may control the setting. Do not try to bypass managed-device restrictions; contact the administrator.
- Try basic ChromeOS troubleshooting. Restart the Chromebook, install pending ChromeOS updates, sign in to the expected Chromebook profile and try the Settings removal flow again. Check Storage management after restarting.
If the supported Settings process remains unavailable, use Google’s Chromebook support channels. Avoid commands or instructions that manipulate hidden ChromeOS system directories or Crostini internals; they are not needed for the ordinary removal process and can cause additional problems.
Choose the right option: remove Linux, Powerwash or recovery
| Goal | Use | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Remove Linux apps and Linux environment data only | Remove Linux development environment in Settings | Removes the Linux environment; it is not a factory reset. |
| Erase local user data before selling, returning or transferring the Chromebook | Powerwash | Factory-resets the Chromebook and erases local data, including Downloads. Files in Google Drive or on external storage are not deleted. Follow Google’s Powerwash instructions: press Ctrl + Alt + Shift + R, select Restart, then Powerwash and Continue. |
| Repair a serious ChromeOS problem, such as “ChromeOS is missing or damaged” | ChromeOS recovery | Removes and reinstalls ChromeOS and permanently erases internal storage. It is not the routine way to remove Linux. See Google’s recovery instructions. |
Choose Powerwash when you want all local user data gone, not merely because you no longer need Linux. Recovery is for serious operating-system problems, not ordinary cleanup.
Set Linux up again later
If your Chromebook supports Linux and an administrator has not blocked it, you can set it up again through Settings using Google’s Linux setup instructions. Removing Linux does not preserve the old environment: restore a compatible .tini backup or reinstall apps and copy project files back manually.
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