What changing ownership means and when you need to do it
Changing ownership of a Chromebook means removing the current Google account from the device and setting it up so a different person can use it as their own. The device itself stays the same—you are just wiping the user profile and letting someone else sign in with their account. This is different from straightforward signing out, which keeps the account linked to the Chromebook.
You need to do this when you give or sell a Chromebook to someone else, when a family member moves out and wants to take their device, or when you are returning a work Chromebook and need to clear your personal data. The process removes your files, settings, and login information from the machine.
If you are the person receiving a used Chromebook, the previous owner must complete these steps first—you cannot change ownership yourself if someone else's account is already set up on the device.
Key Takeaways
- Changing ownership wipes all user data and accounts from the Chromebook, so back up any files you want to keep before you start.
- You must be signed in as the account owner to change ownership; you cannot do it from a guest session or a different account.
- The process takes about five minutes and involves going to Settings, then Advanced, then Reset settings, and choosing to powerwash the device.
- After a powerwash, the Chromebook will restart and show the initial setup screen, ready for the new owner to sign in with their own Google account.
- If the Chromebook is managed by a school or workplace, you may not be able to change ownership yourself and should contact your IT department or administrator.
Back up your files before you start
A powerwash—the technical term for resetting a Chromebook—erases everything on the device. Before you begin, move any files you want to keep to Google Drive, an external hard drive, or another cloud storage service. Open the Files app, check your Downloads folder and any other folders where you saved documents, and make sure they are backed up somewhere safe.
If you have photos, videos, or other media on the Chromebook, read them to an external drive or upload them to Google Photos or Google Drive. Once the powerwash is complete, these files will be gone from the device and cannot be recovered.
How to powerwash your Chromebook
Sign in to the Chromebook with the account that currently owns it. Click the clock in the bottom right corner of the screen to open the system menu, then click the gear icon to open Settings.
In Settings, scroll down and click Advanced to expand that section. Look for Reset settings and click it. You will see a button that says Powerwash—click that button.
A dialog box will appear asking you to confirm. It will warn you that all files and settings will be deleted. Click Powerwash again to confirm. The Chromebook will restart, and the reset process will begin. This usually takes a few minutes. Do not turn off the device during this time.
When the reset is complete, the Chromebook will show the initial setup screen, just as it did when it was new. At this point, the device has no owner and is ready for someone else to sign in.
What the new owner does after the powerwash
Once the Chromebook restarts and shows the setup screen, the new owner can sign in with their own Google account. They will see the same welcome screens that appear on a brand-new Chromebook—language selection, network connection, and then the Google sign-in page.
The new owner should enter their own Google email and password. They can then set up the device the way they want: choosing a profile picture, turning on sync for their files and bookmarks, and installing the apps they use. Everything will be linked to their account from that point forward.
Managed Chromebooks and work or school devices
If the Chromebook is managed by a school, workplace, or organization, you may not be able to powerwash it yourself. Managed devices are locked down by an administrator who controls what can be changed on the machine.
If you try to powerwash a managed Chromebook, you may see a message saying the device is managed and the reset is not allowed. In that case, contact your school's IT department, your workplace's IT support, or whoever manages the device. They will need to remove the device from their management system before you can change ownership.
Troubleshooting if powerwash does not appear
If you cannot find the Powerwash button in Settings, check that you are signed in with the account that owns the device. You cannot powerwash from a guest session or from a different account. Sign out and sign back in with the correct account, then try again.
If the Powerwash button is still missing, the device may be managed by an organization. Check with your school, workplace, or the person who gave you the Chromebook to see if it is locked down. If it is, they will need to unlock it or remove it from their management system before you can proceed.
If you have tried these steps and still cannot find Powerwash, restart the Chromebook and try again. Sometimes the Settings menu needs to be refreshed.
What happens to your Google account after powerwash
Powerwashing the Chromebook does not delete your Google account or affect any other devices you own. Your email, Google Drive files, photos in Google Photos, and all other Google services remain exactly as they were. The powerwash only removes your account from that specific Chromebook.
If you want to use that Google account on a different Chromebook or computer later, you can sign in normally. The account itself is not harmed by the powerwash—only the connection between your account and that particular device is severed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change ownership if I forgot the password to the account on the Chromebook?
No. You must be signed in as the account owner to access the Powerwash button. If you do not know the password, you will need to recover the Google account first by going to the Google Account Recovery page on another device. Once you have recovered access to the account, sign back into the Chromebook and then powerwash.
What if the Chromebook is locked with a PIN or password I do not know?
If you cannot sign in at all, you cannot powerwash the device yourself. Contact the person who set up the Chromebook or the organization that manages it. They can help you regain access or reset the device remotely.
Does powerwash remove viruses or malware from a Chromebook?
Yes. Powerwash completely erases the operating system and reinstalls it fresh, so any malware or unwanted software is removed. However, Chromebooks are designed to be resistant to malware, and a full powerwash is rarely necessary for security reasons alone.
How long does powerwash take?
The process usually takes three to five minutes from the moment you click the final Powerwash button until the device restarts and shows the setup screen. Do not turn off the Chromebook during this time, even if it seems to be taking longer than expected.
Can I stop the powerwash once it starts?
Once the final confirmation dialog appears and you click Powerwash, the process cannot be stopped. The device will restart and begin the reset. Do not turn it off or unplug it during this time.