Chromebooks are an excellent choice for those who predominantly work on web-based activities and desire an affordable, user-friendly device. If you own one and want to change its owner or reset it for a new owner, we have prepared a helpful guide to provide you with step-by-step instructions on how to do the same.
How to Change Owner of Chromebook
Google’s Chromebook is a cost-effective, lightweight, and user-friendly laptop running on the Chrome OS. It excels at day-to-day online tasks like web browsing, email management, and web applications, providing a seamless and hassle-free experience.
However, if you find yourself using a Chromebook with a preset owner, don’t worry as changing the owner is a straightforward process. To initiate this, the Administrator needs to remove the current owner and add a new Google account as the new owner.
Note: It’s important to note that transferring ownership requires resetting the Chromebook to its factory settings. Therefore, it’s essential to save all important data beforehand.
1. Switch on your Chromebook and log in with the present owner’s Google account. Make sure you are on the home screen of your Chromebook.
Note: While transferring ownership of the Chromebook, you have to reset your Chromebook to Factory settings. So, it’s crucial to save any crucial data because all the data on the hard disk will be erased permanently.
2. Click on the Quick Settings panel present at the bottom right corner of your screen.
3. Click on the Settings option or gear icon from the Quick Settings menu.
4. Under the Settings tab, scroll down and click on Advanced Settings present at the bottom.
5. Scroll down the Advanced Settings menu and click the Reset button next to Powerwash.
6. Click on the Restart option in the alert popup. Then, your device will reset automatically to Factory Settings.
7. Your Chromebook will resume after a factory reset and prompt you to sign in using a new account. You must now sign in using the account you want to use as the Chromebook’s owner.
Note: It is not possible to change ownership of Chromebook that is given by the school or office. But you can request your IT manager to do so.
Also Read: How to Reset a Managed Chromebook
How to Change Owner on Chromebook Without Password
People often buy a laptop or mobile second-hand because second-hand products provide better value than buying a new one. If you have recently bought a new Chromebook with a lock or you have forgotten your password, then here is how to change owner on Chromebook without a password:
1. Start your Chromebook and once you are on the login screen, press the Ctrl+Shift+Alt+R keys together.
2. From the alert popup, click on Restart, or simply you can hold the power button to restart your Chromebook.
3. Choose Powerwash in the new dialogue box that appears after your Chromebook restarts.
4. To finally Powerwash or factory reset your Chromebook, click on Continue.
5. Your Chromebook will resume after a factory reset and prompt you to sign in using a new account. You must now sign in using the account you want to use as the Chromebook’s owner.
This is how you can change owner on Chromebook without password.
How to Remove Owner from Chromebook
If you want to remove owner from Chromebook, then you have to reset it to Factory Settings.
1. Start your Chromebook, then sign in using the current owner’s Google account.
2. From the Quick Settings panel, open Settings.
4. Go down under the Settings menu and select the Advanced Settings link at the bottom.
5. Scroll down the Advanced Options menu and click on the Reset button.
6. In the alert popup, click on Restart. Your laptop will automatically reset to Factory Settings.
After your device comes to Factory settings automatically its owner’s account will get erased.
Also Read: How to Screen Record Chromebook
How to Reset Chromebook for New Owner
To prevent your data from falling into the wrong hands, you must reset your Chromebook before selling it or giving it to any family members or acquaintances as explained above.
How to Change Primary Account on Chromebook
If you want to change primary account on Chromebook, you can simply follow the same steps as done for changing the owner on Chromebook. For more guidance, refer to the above guide on changing owner on Chromebook.
How to Remove Primary Account from Chromebook
Here are the steps to remove your primary account from Chromebook in just a few easy steps.
1. Visit the Google Account manager website on any other device like a Windows laptop or mobile connected to the same account.
2. Select the Security tab followed by the Manage all devices section.
3. On the Chromebook device, click one of the three dots, then choose Sign out.
4. Start your Chromebook and open the Quick Settings menu panel present at the right bottom of your Screen.
5. Simply, click on Sign out and then choose Continue from the alert popup shown.
Note: If you want to permanently remove your primary account then you have to Powerwash or factory reset your Chromebook. This will remove the owner’s or primary account from your device permanently.
How Do I Switch Owners on My Chromebook
Chromebooks mainly rely on Cloud storage and web-based apps, unlike Windows or Linux laptops, which have large amounts of local storage and strong processors. Since most of your files and programs are therefore kept online rather than on the actual device. So, you might need to switch between different accounts to access different programs.
1. Make sure you are on the home screen of your Chromebook.
2. Click on the Quick Settings panel present at the bottom right corner of your screen.
3. Once you open the quick settings menu, you would see the account with which Chromebook is operating. Click on the Username option.
4. Under Account settings, click on Sign in another user.
5. Now, from the list of Profiles pick the one to which you want to switch and then type the correct password to successfully switch to that account on Chromebook.
Also Read: Quickly Fix Chromebook Powerwash Not Working
We hope that this guide has addressed all your concerns regarding how to change owner or remove primary account of your Chromebook. If you still have any doubts, suggestions, or issues, please feel free to leave a comment in the section below. We will be more than happy to assist you and provide a prompt response.
