Old laptops often end up in drawers or landfills when their operating system stops receiving updates. Google and refurbished electronics marketplace Back Market want to change that with a new plan announced at the MWC 2026 event.
The two companies announced a pilot program to distribute USB drives preloaded with ChromeOS Flex, providing an easier way to get older laptops running the latest operating system again.
What is ChromeOS Flex?
For starters, ChromeOS Flex is Google’s lightweight, secure, cloud-based operating system that can be installed on existing Windows and Mac PCs. The system focuses on web-based computing and shifts much of the processing, updates, and security management to the cloud.
This approach allows older hardware to continue handling everyday tasks like browsing the web, streaming content, writing documents, and using web-based computing.
How ChromeOS Flex can help keep your old computer useful
The goal of the project is to make it easier for people to bring their old machines back to life without complicated installation steps. Instead of creating their own bootable drive, users receive a ready-to-use USB stick that allows them to quickly install ChromeOS Flex on compatible devices.
This plan is designed for consumers, businesses, schools and repair businesses looking to extend the life of aging hardware.
Because Chrome OS Flex relies heavily on cloud processing, it works well even on older hardware that struggles with modern desktop operating systems.
Once installed, your device will have access to the familiar ChromeOS interface, automatic updates, and built-in security protections.
You can plug in your USB drive, boot your computer, and follow the prompts to install the system.
After installation, your laptop will function similar to a Chromebook. It can handle everyday tasks like browsing the web, streaming, and working with online productivity tools.
The plan also addresses growing environmental problems. More than 62 million metric tons of e-waste will be generated globally in 2022, most of which comes from devices that were replaced before their hardware actually failed.
By giving old laptops a new operating system and a second life, Google and Back Market want to help users keep their devices useful for longer while reducing e-waste.