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Documentation Index

Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://mintlify.com/S-PScripts/chromebook-utilities/llms.txt

Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

Web operating systems are browser-based environments that simulate a real desktop OS — complete with a window manager, file system, terminal, and sometimes a full Linux userland — without ever leaving Chrome. On a managed Chromebook they’re especially powerful because you gain access to capabilities the school’s MDM profile would normally lock away, like a real shell or unrestricted browser. They fall into two broad tiers: lightweight web OSes (AaronOS, AfiliteOS, VortexOS) that are mostly UI simulations with a few utilities, and heavy environments (AnuraOS with Anura Linux, Windows 10/11 emulation, GitHub Codespaces, Incus UI with Ubuntu) that run genuine operating system code and give you a persistent, functional shell or desktop.

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Lightweight & Mid-Range Web OSes

These run entirely in the browser tab. Some include a working Linux environment; others are primarily UI / proxy experiences.

AnuraOS

A browser-based Linux environment with a real shell, file system, and persistent state. One of the most capable web OSes available.

AaronOS

A polished browser OS simulation with a retro feel. Good as a proxy since it can open other sites in an in-OS browser.

AfiliteOS

A frequently-mirrored web OS that acts as both a browser environment and a proxy. Maintained with many fallback domains.

DaeDalOS

A remarkably feature-complete browser desktop that includes a working Linux (Buildroot) environment.

LuminalOS

A web OS with multiple active mirrors:

NebuliOS

Hold the N key while loading to enter the OS. Maintained across a large number of obscure international domains to avoid filtering.

VortexOS

A web OS with a built-in games section and proxy features.

Terbium

A browser OS with proxy and game access features.

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Windows in the Browser

These options let you run a Windows desktop environment, either as a JavaScript/React simulation or as a real virtual machine.

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Windows 11 (React Simulation)

These are visual simulations of Windows 11 built in React — not a real VM, but functional for exploring the interface and running web apps:

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Microsoft Labs VM (Real Windows 10)

Microsoft’s own training labs give you a free Windows 10 virtual machine through your browser — no software download required. You need a Microsoft account.
1

Go to the exercise page

Navigate to learn.microsoft.com/en-us/training/modules/implement-common-integration-features-finance-ops/10-exercise-1.
2

Sign in

Sign into your Microsoft account if you haven’t already.
3

Launch the VM

Click the Launch VM Mode button.
4

Enter the password

When prompted, enter the password: pass@word1
5

Open a free browser

Click Edge inside the VM to get an unrestricted browser window.
The lab VM uses the US keyboard layout regardless of your actual layout. Sound doesn’t work and it blocks some sites. The VM runs Windows 10, not Windows 11.

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Microsoft Copilot Webview

Microsoft Copilot’s “action” mode gives you a restricted but real browser webview inside Copilot itself.
1

Open Copilot

Go to copilot.microsoft.com and sign in.
2

Start a new chat

Start a new conversation and switch to Action mode.
3

Type a command and submit

Type something and click Enter.
4

Take control

Click Take control to interact with the live webview.
Copilot actions have a limited daily quota before you need to upgrade or wait until the next day.

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Incus UI — Ubuntu Linux VM

Run a full Ubuntu Linux desktop in the browser via the Incus container/VM platform’s free hosted demo.
1

Open the Incus demo

Go to linuxcontainers.org/incus/try-it/. Click Accept, then click Web UI.
2

Create a VM instance

Click Create Instance, enter a name, then click Browse Images.
3

Select Ubuntu desktop

In the distribution drop-down, find Ubuntu (at the very bottom). Select a distro — make sure the entry says “desktop” and “VM”.
4

Launch the console

Once the VM is created, click the Console tab, then click Web to open the desktop in your browser.
Ubuntu is the fastest option. Other distros work but are noticeably slower. Credits: github.com/Charlieis1nsan3 (HyperNut). Video tutorial: youtube.com/watch?v=6WgHa2JFlhc.

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GitHub Codespaces Windows VM

GitHub Codespaces can be used to spin up a Windows virtual machine using the dockur/windows Docker image. This gives you a real Windows install accessible from the browser. Full setup instructions are documented at github.com/dockur/windows. The same approach applies to GitHub Codespaces — see the Codespaces VM section below. Requirements:
  • A GitHub account (free tier Codespaces hours apply)
  • A Microsoft account (required for Windows activation)
If your school blocks certain sites even inside a web OS or VM, try using a proxy like Skiovox or Ultraviolet first to get an unrestricted browser window, then navigate to a web OS from within that proxied tab.

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