Difficulty
Moderate
Steps
8
Time Required
25 - 55 minutes
Sections
1
- Install Windows 10 on the Pixel
- 8 steps
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BackChromebook Pixel (2013)
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Introduction
Important Note: As of mid-2019, there is no viable method for getting the Pixel’s trackpad working in Windows 10. This is due to proprietary firmware used in the trackpad bundle, the code for which is not available from the manufacturer. If you’re okay using this with a USB mouse, or trying your luck with Bluetooth, carry on!
What you need
Step 1
Get your Pixel ready
- Backup your data before we begin
- You’ll want to prepare a MBR bootable USB 8.1/10 drive using Rufus or the Window 10 installation tool
- Have an external USB keyboard and mouse ready
Backup your data before we begin
You’ll want to prepare a MBR bootable USB 8.1/10 drive using Rufus or the Window 10 installation tool
Have an external USB keyboard and mouse ready
1024
Step 2
Developer mode and USB Boot
- Enable developer mode and legacy USB boot
- Boot into ChromeOS
- You’ll get to the developer mode on screen. Press “ctrl” + “L” to boot into the legacy SeaBIOS
Enable developer mode and legacy USB boot
Boot into ChromeOS
You’ll get to the developer mode on screen. Press “ctrl” + “L” to boot into the legacy SeaBIOS
Step 3
Boot into Windows 10
- Plug in your USB keyboard
- Select the flash drive containing your Windows 10 installation
- Boot into Windows 10
Plug in your USB keyboard
Select the flash drive containing your Windows 10 installation
Boot into Windows 10
Step 4
Prepare your SSD
- Use the advanced tools to open up an elevated command prompt
- Run diskpart and clean the storage on your SSD boot drive
Use the advanced tools to open up an elevated command prompt
Run diskpart and clean the storage on your SSD boot drive
Step 5
Install Windows 10
- Reboot into the Windows installer from your USB drive
- Click Install Now to install Windows 10
- Select your SSD as the default install location
Reboot into the Windows installer from your USB drive
Click Install Now to install Windows 10
Select your SSD as the default install location
Step 6
Wait a bit...
- Let Windows 10 install
- Whenever the computer reboots. Press “ctrl” + “L” to get back to the BIOS
Let Windows 10 install
Whenever the computer reboots. Press “ctrl” + “L” to get back to the BIOS
Step 7
Setup Windows
- Follow the on-screen guide to finish installing Windows
- Wi-Fi and audio should work out of the box, but you’ll still need your USB keyboard/mouse to continue with the setup
- We’ll install drivers shortly
- Cortana will likely be really loud.
- Plug in a pair of headphones or silence her by clicking the mute button on the bottom right of the screen.
Follow the on-screen guide to finish installing Windows
Wi-Fi and audio should work out of the box, but you’ll still need your USB keyboard/mouse to continue with the setup
We’ll install drivers shortly
Cortana will likely be really loud.
Plug in a pair of headphones or silence her by clicking the mute button on the bottom right of the screen.
Step 8
Install drivers & Customize
- Install all of your Windows device drivers (keyboard, trackpad, touchscreen) from Coolstar’s webpage
- https://coolstar.org/chromebook/windows-…
- Note that drivers may be buggy. You might have to reinstall ChromeOS by using recovery in order to flash/re-flash the BIOS.
- This is risky business, so only flash it if your drivers don’t work out of the box and you have the technical know-how to fix it.
Install all of your Windows device drivers (keyboard, trackpad, touchscreen) from Coolstar’s webpage
https://coolstar.org/chromebook/windows-…
Note that drivers may be buggy. You might have to reinstall ChromeOS by using recovery in order to flash/re-flash the BIOS.
This is risky business, so only flash it if your drivers don’t work out of the box and you have the technical know-how to fix it.
Enjoy running Windows on your Pixel and have the satisfaction that not many have attempted this feat!
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15 other people completed this guide.
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Kevin Fessler
Member since: 04/16/2016
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therealpurplesound - Apr 23, 2017
Reply
Hello, have you successfully gotten the trackpad to work? Last time I heard Coolstar claimed that this wouldn’t be possible.
Kevin Fessler - Apr 23, 2017
Yup, the track-pad works (mostly) how it supposed to. I just can’t post the driver since Mr. Chromebox noted that it’s closed source; therefore I’ve decided to go solo with my work. It’s definitely not impossible, just hard to figure out how to use the Intel I2C interface which drives the touchpad. I’d recommend starting your research on the official Intel datasheet for the specification and take a look at the Linux community drivers written in C for inspiration. You should check the Reddit page in case Coolstar or Mr. Chromebox has found a way to circumvent the legality issues or issued a fix of their own.
Josh Chichon - Jun 28, 2017
Hey did you end up doing this therealpurplesound? I want to do this as well but the trackpad, touchscreen, audio and other basic features that I haven’t got a solid answer on stop me.
Technopal V2.0 - May 28, 2018
Does it rotate when you do it?
Josh Chichon - Jun 16, 2017
Reply
I just wish to understand if the Pixel 2013 will work (keyboard, touchpad, touchscreen, etc) under Windows 10 as a normal functioning laptop.
Thank you.
