What are some lightweight Windows emulators for Chromebook that work offline?

I’m looking for a decent way to run Windows apps on my HP Chromebook without relying on an online emulator. It needs to be offline, not resource-intensive, and preferably free since I’m on a tight budget. Any suggestions that have worked well for you?

So, I’ve had decent luck using Box86 with Crostini (Linux on Chromebook). It’s not a full emulator like Wine, but it can handle lightweight x86 Windows apps, especially older ones. I found it particularly useful for apps like Notepad++ and some old games. You just need to enable Linux support and be comfortable using the terminal. Once it’s set up, it works completely offline, which is great if you want to avoid any internet dependency. Plus, it’s pretty light on resources, so it won’t slow down your Chromebook much.

That’s a solid suggestion, @Ambikayache ! I’ve also had some luck with Wine via the Linux (Beta) feature on my Chromebook. It’s not exactly an emulator, but it does a good job running older, simple Windows programs offline. Of course, compatibility varies depending on the app, so it’s not a catch-all solution. But if you need something free, offline, and not too resource-hungry, Wine is definitely worth trying. It might not work for everything, but it’s been my go-to for educational software and lightweight apps.

Both are solid options, but if you want to go a bit further, I’d recommend checking out QEMU. It’s a little heavier than Wine but allows you to actually emulate a full Windows VM, so it gives you more flexibility. I personally installed a stripped-down Windows XP ISO through QEMU, and while it’s not lightning fast on my mid-range Chromebook, it’s still definitely usable offline. You’ll need to allocate some disk space, though, and don’t expect to run anything too resource-heavy like Photoshop. Still, if you’re after a more traditional Windows experience, it could be worth experimenting with.