Google and Back Market Offer £3 ChromeOS Flex Upgrade Kits for Ageing Windows 10 Laptops

Millions of older laptop owners are being offered a low-cost alternative to replacing their devices after the end of support for Windows 10. A new initiative from Google and refurbished electronics marketplace Back Market aims to help users extend the life of older PCs by converting them into Chromebook-style machines for around £3.

Low-Cost Lifeline for Unsupported Windows 10 Devices

More than five months have passed since Microsoft ended official support for Windows 10, meaning affected devices no longer receive standard security updates.

While some newer machines can be upgraded to Windows 11, many older laptops do not meet the operating system’s hardware requirements. For households and businesses across the UK, that has left users facing a difficult choice: continue using unsupported hardware or purchase a replacement device.

Google says it is offering another route.

ChromeOS Flex USB Kit Aims to Extend Laptop Lifespan

The company has partnered with Back Market to launch a physical USB installation kit for ChromeOS Flex, a lightweight operating system designed to run on older PCs and Macs.

Once installed, ChromeOS Flex turns compatible laptops into Chromebook-like devices, giving users access to services such as:

Google Productivity and Web Tools

Google Chrome
Gmail
Google Docs

The USB kit also allows users to test ChromeOS Flex directly from the drive before completing a full installation, helping confirm compatibility before making permanent changes.

Google Says Upgrade Helps Avoid Unnecessary E-Waste

In announcing the scheme, Google said the programme is intended to reduce the number of otherwise functional computers being discarded.

The company stated that the end of Windows 10 support had left “hundreds of millions of computers” at risk of becoming obsolete, forcing many owners to consider replacing hardware that may still be physically usable.

Google added that extending device lifespan through ChromeOS Flex could reduce electronic waste and cut emissions associated with manufacturing new laptops.

According to the company, ChromeOS devices consume around 19 per cent less energy on average than comparable systems.

High Demand Sees Kits Sell Out Quickly

The USB upgrade kit is priced at roughly £3 and can be reused on multiple devices, further reducing waste.

However, demand appears to be high. Back Market has already listed the item as out of stock, suggesting strong interest from users seeking a budget-friendly alternative to buying a new laptop.

Outlook for Windows 10 Users

For many households looking to avoid the cost of a new computer during ongoing cost-of-living pressures, the ChromeOS Flex offer may provide a practical stopgap.

While it will not suit every user—particularly those reliant on Windows-only software—it could offer a useful second life for many older laptops that would otherwise be retired.

As support for older operating systems continues to end, initiatives such as this may become an increasingly common way to keep ageing hardware in service for longer.