Powerwash Chromebook Reset Factory Settings

How do you reset your Chromebook to factory settings?

Powerwash Chromebook Reset Factory Settings

It is very easy to restore your Chromebook back to factory settings. This is also now as powerwashing your Chromebook. A ‘Powerwash’ is a Factory Reset that is used prior to performing a system recovery. Performing a Powerwash will resolve most software issues and does not require the creation of Recovery Media. There are two methods of performing a Powerwash; while signed in and when not signed in. Both methods are shown below. Use the following steps to perform a factory rest on any Chromebook laptop:

  1. Click the status area in the lower-right corner, where your account picture appears.
  2. Select Settings and click Show advanced settings at the bottom of the page.
  3. Find the “Factory Reset” section and click Reset.
  4. In the dialogue box that opens, select Restart.

 

Chromebook Powerwash Command

There is also any easier way to reset a Chromebook. You can also reset your Chromebook to its original factory state from the sign-in screen by pressing Shift + Ctrl + Alt + R and clicking Restart.

Before starting, first try to perform a ‘hard reset’ on your Chromebook to see if it solves your problem. On newer models you simply press Power+Refresh, though on older models you may need to push the reset button with a pin. A hard reset will not re-partition your drive.

Powerwash Chromebook When Note Signed In

This will reinstall all the necessary operating software to ensure that your Chromebook is running well.

  1. Shutdown the power completely by holding down the power button for 5 seconds
  2. Press the power button to turn the Chromebook on. Note: Once the Chromebook has finished booting, ensure you do not log in.
  1. On the sign in screen, press the Ctrl + Shift + Alt + R keys simultaneously.
  2. A window will appear with the message ‘Your device will be reset into its original factory state. All local files and media will be erased. Would you like to continue?’ Click Reset. Note: If the device reboots and shows the original Reset screen again, click Reset a second time.
  1. The Chromebook will reboot with a screen that says ‘Powerwash in progress…’
  2. After the Powerwash is complete, the Chromebook will reboot.
  3. Your Chromebook is now set to factory settings again and you will be guided through initial setup.

Powerwash Chromebook when Signed In

  1. Click on the status area in the lower right corner of your display and click Settings.
  1. Scroll down in the Settings screen until you see ‘Show Advanced Settings’ and then click on this option.
  1. Scroll down until you see Powerwash. Click on Powerwash.
  1. A window appear that states ‘A restart is required before your device can be reset with Powerwash.’ Click on Restart.
  1. After your Chromebook restarts, a window will appear with the message ‘Your device will be reset into its original factory state. All local files and media will be erased. Would you like to continue?’ Click Reset. Note: If the device reboots and shows the original Reset screen again, click Reset a second time.
  1. The Chromebook will reboot with a screen that says ‘Powerwash in progress…’
  2. After the Powerwash is complete, the Chromebook will reboot.
  3. Your Chromebook is now set to factory settings again and you will be guided through initial setup.

 

 

Video on Resetting Chromebook

Why is it so easy to reset Chromebook?

Any computer can be easily erased as long as the BIOS isn’t protected. I can take any Windows laptop, boot it up into the BIOS and boot from media to overwrite the operating system…

Heck, on chrome OS, they don’t even need to power wash it, they could just log in with their own account as a new user. The safety is that your data is protected, sure, they can steal and use your computer, but without your password, they’re not getting your data.

If you are worried about a ‘friend’ or whatever messing with you just use it as intended with all your data in the cloud. A powerwash then does pretty much nothing negative to you. Just boot back up and sign back in and life goes on.

The same is true if it is stolen or your house burns down or whatever. Just get another one and sign in and you are up in running in a few minutes time.

 

Google Accounts and Chromebook reset

Think of it as a really intense email account you have a specific laptop for. Anyone can get that laptop, but unless they know your email password, they can’t get at the data. They can use the machine, but the machine is just how you access the data. You can use any other laptop or computer the same way to access that email account, and any other Chromebook especially. So sure, powerwashing is super easy–and pretty safe, assuming you’re not trying to store stuff on your hard drive itself, which is hard as there’s not a lot of room there.

It’s easy to powerwash because there’s so little loss, like accidentally logging out of your email. It’s also one of the strengths–something goes wrong? Powerwash. Probably back to normal. Drop your laptop? Log onto another Chromebook and bam, everything is back. Your laptop bursts into flame while you were working on your final exam? Run to Best Buy, buy one, five minutes later you are back working on it, good as gold.

 

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