Back Market Launches $3 ChromeOS Flex Kit to Give New Life to Unsupported PCs

Back Market, a French marketplace of refurbished electronics, has teamed up with Google to launch a $3 Chrome OS Flex key. The pre-loaded USB key can be used to install Google’s free version of Chrome OS on any Windows PC or Mac that is no longer supported. The 16GB USB drive is also reusable.

The launch of this new ChromeOS Flex USB Kit comes right after Microsoft dropped mainstream support for Windows 10 in October 2025, even though consumers can get one free year of extended security updates. With Chrome OS Flex, Google is offering a more streamlined alternative to traditional Linux distros, though the OS will really work best on devices certified by Google.

“Maintaining software support is a formidable challenge, and Google is no stranger to it. For instance, as part of our own efforts, we’ve extended software updates for Chromebooks to 10 years and Pixel phones to seven years. This pilot is yet another way we’re working to offer a more sustainable alternative for expired Windows computers to extend their useful lifespans,” Google said today.

In practice, Chrome OS Flex may look very similar to the “regular” version of Chrome OS that ships on Chromebooks, but there are some major limitations: As Paul recently pointed out, Android app compatibility and Android phone integration are missing. Moreover, you can say goodbye to Windows Hello fingerprint readers and facial recognition cameras, Thunderbolt support, and seamless firmware updates.

To be clear, you don’t need Back Market’s ChromeOS Flex USB Key to install the OS on your devices, as it’s free to download from Google’s website. However, the key does include simplified installation guides and video tutorials.