If you're a Chromebook user looking to enjoy classic PC games like GTA San Andreas, you're in luck. Thanks to Linux (Beta) support and Wine, it's now possible to install and play this legendary game on your Chromebook. In this tutorial, we’ll go step-by-step to install GTA SA and configure the display for a larger screen size, but not fullscreen — perfect for users who want comfort, visibility, and multitasking support.
Why Avoid Fullscreen?
Many Chromebook users experience performance drops or glitches when running fullscreen games. Issues may include:
- Resolution bugs
- Interface freezing
- Difficulty switching apps
- Mouse/keyboard behavior issues
Instead, running GTA SA in a larger windowed mode provides a smooth gaming experience while keeping your desktop environment responsive.
First, enable Linux on your Chromebook:
- Open Chromebook Settings.
- Scroll to About Chrome OS at the bottom.
- Under the Developer section, select Enable.
- Allocate at least 15GB of storage for Linux.
Once done, the Terminal app will appear in your app launcher. That’s where the magic starts.
Step 2: Install Wine (Stable)
We will use Wine to run Windows-based installers and executables. Use the following commands in your Terminal:
sudo apt update
sudo dpkg --add-architecture i386
wget -nc https://dl.winehq.org/wine-builds/winehq.key && sudo apt-key add winehq.key
echo "deb https://dl.winehq.org/wine-builds/debian/ bookworm main" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/wine_Wilguf_Tech.list
sudo apt update
sudo apt install --install-recommends winehq-stable
winecfg
The last command will open the Wine configuration panel. Just click OK to apply default settings.
Step 3: Download and Install GTA San Andreas
You’ll need the installer for GTA San Andreas. Make sure you legally own a copy of the game.
Download the Installer:
Here’s a working link to download the setup file:
Download the
.exe file and move it into your Linux files folder.Troubleshooting Tips
- No sound? Open
winecfg, go to the Audio tab, and test output. - Crashes on startup? Try running with
wineconsole setup.exeor lower your resolution. - Mouse stuck in window? Enable “Capture mouse in window” in Wine settings.
- Settings not saving? Delete the
gta_sa.setfile from:
~/.wine/drive_c/users/YOUR_NAME/My Documents/GTA San Andreas User Files/
Tips for Common Issues
If you encounter problems during installation or gameplay on your Chromebook, here are some tips:
- Update Your Chromebook: Ensure Chrome OS is up to date by going to Settings > About Chrome OS and checking for updates.
- Check Your Internet Connection: A stable and fast connection is necessary to download files.
- Restart Your Chromebook: If errors occur during installation, restart your device and retry.
- Ensure Sufficient Storage: Make sure you have at least 10GB of free storage to run Linux and the game smoothly.
Final Thoughts
Installing and playing GTA San Andreas on a Chromebook is not only possible — it’s surprisingly smooth if done correctly. By running the game in a larger windowed screen, you get the benefit of improved visibility while avoiding common fullscreen issues on Chrome OS.
This setup is perfect for anyone looking to relive GTA SA nostalgia on modern lightweight hardware. Want more guides like this? Make sure to subscribe to Wilguftech YouTube Channel and stay tuned for more Chromebook tutorials!
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