Older Chromebooks have older hardware parts, and these parts eventually lose the ability to get the latest updates. If your Chromebook is more than 5 years old, you might see this message: “This device will no longer receive software updates. You can continue using your computer but should consider upgrading.”.
Check for updates yourself
Turn on your Chromebook. Connect your Chromebook to Wi-Fi. At the bottom right, select the time. Select Menu About Chrome OS.
Under “Google Chrome OS,” you’ll see which version of the Chrome operating system your Chromebook is using. If your Chromebook finds a software update, it will start to download automatically.
This of course begs the inquiry “What should you do when your Chromebook stops getting updates?”
If you have one of the older Chromebooks, you’ll need to start thinking about what to do when the updates stop coming. This one’s a bit obvious, but it’s worth stating: when your current Chromebook stops getting updates, the best thing you can probably do is buy a newer device.
Chromebooks, the lightweight laptops focused on web browsing, receive updates to their OS for up to 6.5 years, depending on when they were built. That’s fine and good, and for the Chromebook’s first owners, that might be all they need.
How do I update my Chromebook to the latest version of chrome?
Connect your Chromebook to Wi-Fi. At the bottom right, select the time. At the bottom of the left panel, select About Chrome OS. Under “Google Chrome OS,” you’ll find which version of the Chrome operating system your Chromebook uses. Select Check for updates .
How do I check the last update date on my Chromebook?
To check your Auto Update Expiration (AUE) date: 1 At the bottom right, select the time. 3 On the left panel, at the bottom, select About Chrome OS. 5 In the “Update schedule” section, you’ll find when your Chromebook will receive its last update.
How to do a Chromebook update 1 Connect your Chrome OS device to the internet over Wi-Fi or ethernet. 2 Click on the settings tray in the bottom-right corner of the screen. 3 Enter the settings using the gear icon. 4 Click on About Chrome OS on the bottom of the left column. 5 Select the Check for updates option., and more items.
Why should you upgrade to a new Chromebook?
In addition to getting security updates for the next several years, you’ll also make a big leap when it comes to processing power, memory, and battery life, meaning your new Chromebook will be more enjoyable to use.
Another query we ran across in our research was “Do Chromebooks have an end of life?”.
Google’s End of Life Policy (as it was called before the less terminal-sounding “Auto Update Policy”) first offered 5 years of OS and security updates. Google later changed it to 6.5 years, and now it’s 8 years., and kind of. With a Chromebook, the OS doesn’t expire —the actual Chromebook does and you no longer get updates at all.
Another common question is “Is it time to replace your old Chromebook?”.
Most Chromebooks still have a long life ahead of them, but Google has started cutting off some of the oldest models already. If you have one of the older Chromebooks, you’ll need to start thinking about what to do when the updates stop coming.