Chrome OS Desktop on Windows 8: A Guide
Chrome's New Desktop Experience on Windows 8
With the release of Chrome 32, Windows 8 users gain access to a novel functionality: a complete, full-screen desktop mode reminiscent of Chrome OS.
Previously, the Chrome app launcher provided a Chrome OS-like experience within Windows. Now, Chrome possesses the capability to fully substitute the standard Windows desktop environment.
A Chromebook-Style Desktop for Windows
Instead of developing applications specifically for the Windows 8 platform, Google has opted to integrate a Chromebook-inspired desktop directly into Windows 8.
Users retain the option to utilize Chrome on the desktop in its traditional manner, alongside this new immersive mode.
This approach allows for a consistent user experience across different operating systems, leveraging the power of the Chrome browser.
Key Features and Benefits
- Full-Screen Mode: Enjoy a distraction-free computing environment.
- Chrome OS Similarity: Familiar interface for Chrome OS users.
- Seamless Integration: Works alongside existing Windows applications.
- Alternative Desktop: Provides a different way to interact with your computer.
The introduction of this feature highlights Google’s commitment to web-based applications and its vision for a more streamlined desktop experience.
Understanding the Functionality: Addressing Restrictions on Windows 8 Apps
Upon the release of Windows 8, Microsoft categorized applications into three distinct types. "Metro apps" – now known as Windows 8-style apps – were subject to significant limitations and distribution solely through the official app store. Traditional Windows desktop applications maintained their full functionality, though they couldn't natively operate within the new "Metro" interface.
A third application category, the "Metro style enabled desktop browser," emerged. These browsers operate as standard desktop applications with unrestricted access to system resources. However, when designated as the default web browser, they possess the ability to emulate full-screen Windows 8-style applications.
The Role of Chrome and Google's Innovation
Before Chrome version 32, the Windows 8 interface within Chrome simply presented a maximized browser window. Google has since transitioned this interface to a Chrome OS-inspired desktop environment. This new environment incorporates features like window management, a taskbar, an application launcher, and integrated Chrome notifications.
This transformation leverages the "Metro style enabled desktop browser" functionality initially provided by Microsoft within Windows 8. Microsoft currently lacks a mechanism to prevent Google from implementing this feature, unless they modify the underlying "Metro style enabled desktop browser" interface itself.
Expanding Beyond Chrome: Firefox and Internet Explorer
The potential of this functionality isn't limited to Chrome. Firefox is slated to introduce its own Windows 8-style interface, designed to closely resemble a conventional browser experience. It’s important to note that the Windows 8-style version of Internet Explorer represents a distinct interface for the existing desktop version of the browser.
- Key takeaway: Microsoft's design allows browsers to mimic full-screen apps.
- Impact: Users experience a more app-like browsing environment.
- Future: Other browsers are adopting similar interfaces.
Utilizing the Chrome Desktop Environment on Windows 8
Compatibility isn't guaranteed across all systems. Successful operation requires either Windows 8 or Windows 8.1, as the functionality is dependent on the modern Windows 8 application interface. Furthermore, hardware graphics acceleration must be enabled, a standard feature on most computers.
Currently, optimal performance on high-DPI displays is not achieved. For instance, on a Surface Pro 2 device, the relevant menu option may be completely unavailable, hindering access to the Chrome desktop. If your system lacks support, the option will not appear within Chrome’s menu.
Setting Chrome as the Default Browser
A prerequisite for accessing this feature is designating Chrome as your default web browser. Only the default browser can operate within the Windows 8 app environment. To configure this, navigate to Chrome’s menu, select Settings, and then click the “Make Google Chrome my default browser” button located under the Default browser section.
Once Chrome is set as the default, you can initiate the Chrome desktop environment.
Launching Chrome in Windows 8 Mode
Access to the new Chrome desktop is achieved by clicking the Chrome menu button and selecting the “Relaunch Chrome in Windows 8 mode” option. This will transition Chrome into the specialized desktop environment.
Utilizing Chrome in Desktop Mode on Windows
Related: Chrome Introduces Desktop Apps: An Evaluation of Their Utility
Upon activation, the Chrome desktop will occupy the full screen, functioning similarly to a typical Windows 8 application. To initiate applications – or to open new Chrome browser instances – utilize the application launcher located in the bottom-left corner of your display. This functions in a comparable manner to the Chrome app launcher available for Windows desktops, enabling integration of Chrome applications with the Windows taskbar.
A key benefit of this new interface is the ability to simultaneously run multiple Chrome browser windows and effectively manage them within a windowed environment. Both conventional Chrome browser windows and Chrome apps can be utilized here.
Each window will be displayed on your Chrome taskbar, but will not appear on the standard Windows desktop. You can conveniently snap a window to either the left or right side of the Chrome desktop by clicking the corresponding buttons situated at the top-right corner of the window.
The Windows 8 iteration of Chrome features restricted plug-in compatibility. Only Pepper API plug-ins are supported, including Adobe Flash, Chrome’s integrated PDF viewer, and Google’s Native Client. Java and Microsoft Silverlight are not compatible, meaning Netflix will not operate in this mode until HTML5 video support is implemented by Netflix for Chrome.
This limitation mirrors that of the Windows 8-style version of Internet Explorer, which only permits the use of its native Flash plug-in.
Exiting the application is performed as with any other Windows 8 app – by moving your mouse cursor to the bottom-left corner of the screen and clicking the "Start tip" that appears. Alternatively, the app switcher at the top-left corner or the charms located at the top and bottom-right corners can be used to exit.
It’s important to note that Google Chrome does not integrate with the charms functionality, therefore its settings will not be found under the Settings charm, and sharing features are unavailable via the Share charm. Google appears to intentionally disregard the existence of the new Windows 8 interface.
Related: Transforming a Windows 8 PC into a Chromebook
Given that the Chrome desktop operates as a Windows 8 application, Windows 8’s Assigned Access feature can be employed to limit a user account to solely the Chrome desktop, effectively converting a Windows 8 PC into a Chromebook.
The Chrome desktop can also be snapped alongside one or more other Windows 8 applications. Indeed, it is possible to display the Chrome desktop and the standard Windows desktop side-by-side.
To return to Chrome in its standard desktop mode, click the Chrome menu button and select "Relaunch Chrome on the desktop." If the menu button is not visible, a Chrome browser window must first be opened on the Chrome desktop.
The Rationale Behind Utilizing This Feature
Related: Considering a Chromebook Purchase?
Google’s motivation for promoting the Chrome desktop experience is readily apparent. The company aims to steer users away from becoming reliant on applications designed for Windows 8, and also seeks to diminish the use of traditional Windows desktop applications.
This new environment actively promotes the adoption of Chrome, web-based applications, and Chrome apps, prioritizing them over Microsoft’s Windows 8 offerings. Furthermore, it allows Windows 8 users to experience the functionality of Chrome OS and become more receptive to the possibility of purchasing a Chromebook.
In contrast to the earlier "Windows 8 mode" available in Chrome, this current implementation is significantly more practical. It introduces support for multiple browser windows and provides a mechanism for navigating between them.
However, given the ability to utilize Chrome and Chrome apps directly on the Windows desktop, the value proposition of this new interface becomes questionable. Google likely intends to demonstrate the perceived simplicity of this interface, mirroring Microsoft’s strategy of attracting users away from the traditional Windows desktop with Windows 8 apps.
The Chrome desktop primarily competes with Microsoft’s Windows 8 apps, rather than the established Windows desktop environment. Consequently, users who continue to depend on conventional Windows desktop applications may find little benefit in this feature.
If a streamlined environment is desired, Google proposes the Chrome desktop as an alternative to Windows 8 apps.
Ultimately, Google’s provision of choice is commendable. Users who dislike the Chrome desktop can simply disregard it and continue using Chrome apps on the Windows desktop. Conversely, utilizing Microsoft’s Windows 8-style applications on the Windows desktop necessitates the use of third-party software like ModernMix, which incurs a cost.
With the addition of improved touch support, this interface could potentially rival Microsoft’s Windows 8 apps in attracting attention on tablet devices.
Google harbors ambitious plans for Chrome and Chrome apps, having also announced that "Chrome apps" currently operating within Chrome will be extended to Android and Apple’s iOS platforms in the future.
