The easiest way to install Linux apps on Chrome OS these days is to find what’s known as a Debian file — a special kind of installation package that ends in a .deb extension.

Installing Steam on Elementary OS While Elementary OS is based on Debian/Ubuntu, newer versions of Elementary don't automatically have the application required to open .deb files.

For example, when you click the Linux link on the Steam download page, it saves a deb file to your computer. These are installation packages, much like .msi or .exe files on Windows.

Opening a .deb file on Chrome OS Canary (source) On most Debian-based Linux distributions, users can double-click on .deb packages to install them.

If you're tired of having to jump through hoops to open files with sudo privileges in the GNOME File Manager, Jack Wallen has just the trick you need.