Commit Points to Possible Support for Linux VMs in Chrome OS

Code added to Chrome OS suggests that the operating system may receive support for running Linux virtual machines in the future. In this way, for example, Linux applications can be used.

The commit was noticed by Chrome Unboxed. The site mentions a “new device policy” that allows running Linux VMs on Chrome OS. In addition, if this policy is enabled, the site says a menu called “better together settings” will be displayed, which should indicate running Linux alongside the Gentoo-based Chrome OS.

The project is called Crostini, which seems to be a reference to Crouton. That is a collection of scripts that already makes it possible to run Linux in a browser window within Chrome OS. However, this requires ‘developer mode’, which according to Chrome Unboxed has consequences for the security of the operating system.

The code also indicates that the release of the new feature is planned for version 66 of Chrome OS, which should be released at the end of April.