How to install Thinkorswim Desktop on a Chromebook in 2024

This guide will walk you through the process of installing Thinkorswim Desktop on your Chromebook. Thinkorswim is a powerful trading platform developed by TD Ameritrade, offering advanced charting, real-time data, and sophisticated trading tools. By following these steps, you'll be able to access this robust software directly from your Chromebook.

Important Note on Compatibility

Before we begin, it's crucial to note that this tutorial is only compatible with Chromebooks that have an Intel or AMD CPU and support Linux Apps. Unfortunately, Chromebooks with ARM64 architecture CPUs are not supported for this installation.

Video Tutorial

For a visual guide, we've provided a video tutorial above. We recommend following along with both the video and the written instructions below for the best results.

Step-by-Step Installation Guide

Follow these commands in your Chromebook's Linux terminal to install Thinkorswim Desktop:

  1. Add the Debian Bullseye repository:
    echo "deb https://deb.debian.org/debian bullseye main" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/bullseye_chrome_os_made_simple.list
  2. Update the package list:
    sudo apt update
  3. Install OpenJDK 11 and KMenuEdit:
    sudo apt install openjdk-11-jdk kmenuedit
  4. Remove the Bullseye repository:
    sudo rm /etc/apt/sources.list.d/bullseye_chrome_os_made_simple.list
  5. Download the Thinkorswim installer:
    wget https://mediaserver.thinkorswim.com/installer/InstFiles/thinkorswim_installer.sh
  6. Make the installer executable:
    chmod 755 thinkorswim_installer.sh
  7. Run the Thinkorswim installer:
    ./thinkorswim_installer.sh
  8. Launch KMenuEdit to add Thinkorswim to your app menu:
    kmenuedit

Understanding the Installation Process

The installation process involves several key steps:

  • We temporarily add the Debian Bullseye repository to access necessary packages.
  • OpenJDK 11 is installed as Thinkorswim requires Java to run.
  • KMenuEdit is installed to help you easily add Thinkorswim to your Chromebook's app menu.
  • We download and run the official Thinkorswim installer script from TD Ameritrade.

After installation, you may need to restart your Chromebook or log out and log back in for the changes to take effect.

Troubleshooting Tips

If you encounter any issues during the installation process, try the following:

  • Ensure your Chromebook's Linux environment is up to date by running sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade before starting the installation.
  • If you receive permission errors, make sure you're using sudo where necessary.
  • If the Thinkorswim installer fails to run, double-check that you've made it executable with the chmod command.

Additional Resources

For more information and support, you can refer to these resources:

We hope this guide helps you successfully install and use Thinkorswim Desktop on your Chromebook. Happy trading!

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