How to Remove an Account From a Chromebook

The great thing about using Chromebooks is that you can access multiple accounts at once. However, if you find yourself having too many accounts associated with your Chromebook, it might be a good idea to manage them and clear the clutter. This rings especially true if there are certain accounts on your Chromebook that you no longer use, like old school or company accounts.

This article will take you step-by-step to remove various accounts from your Chromebook. Read on to learn more about this process.

How to Remove an Owner Account From a Chromebook

The Chromebook’s owner account has access to certain features that other accounts on the Chromebook won’t have. This includes adjusting settings such as time zone, Wi-Fi network preferences, and sign-in permissions.

Typically, the first Google account used on a Chromebook is designated as the owner account.

It is impossible to directly transfer owner permissions to a different account on a Chromebook. Instead, users are encouraged to reset their Chromebooks and erase all existing data and accounts. Before conducting a total factory reset of your Chromebook, it’s a good idea to back up any important files you may have stored on to either Google Drive or an alternative external storage device.

To complete a full factory reset of a Chromebook, follow these steps:

1. Sign out of your Chromebook account.
   
2. On your keyboard, use the Ctrl + Alt + Shift + R shortcut.
   
3. In the pop-up that appears, click “Restart.”
   
4. In the next pop-up box you see, choose “Powerwash,” then “Continue.”
   
5. Follow the on-screen steps and sign in with your Google Account. The account you sign in with will be appointed the new owner account.
   

Can I Remove a School Account From a Chromebook

If a school or company-issued your Chromebook, it wouldn’t be possible to remove the management account appointed to the device. If this is the case, your best bet is to invest in a new Chromebook that is not tied to any institution.

On the other hand, if you are already using a Chromebook that you purchased yourself, it is possible to remove a school account. If you no longer have any use for it, having a school account linger on your Chromebook can be an inconvenience and take up unnecessary space and memory. Fortunately, removing an unwanted account from your Chromebook is a reasonably straightforward process.

Here’s what you’ll need to do:

1. Head to the Chromebook sign-in screen.
   
2. Click on the profile you wish to remove – in this case, the school account.
3. Beside the account name, select the downward-facing arrow.
   
4. From the list of options that appear, choose “Remove This User.”
   

If your school account is registered as the owner account, you’ll need to reset your Chromebook to remove the account and change the owner position. To do this:

1. Head to your Chromebook account and sign in.
   
2. Press Cntrl + Alt + Shift + R, then select “Restart.”
   
3. In the information box that appears, click “Powerwash.”
   
4. Select “Continue.”
   
5. You’ll be asked to sign in again using a Google account. Keep in mind that the account you use at this stage will be your new owner account.
   

How to Remove a Guest Account From a Chromebook

Guest mode on Chromebook lets others access your Chromebook through a temporary account. When browsing through a Chromebook in guest mode, accessing your primary Google account or any files associated with your hard drive isn’t possible. Plus, guests won’t have access to your Google Chrome profile, passwords, or any browsing history.

Maybe your guest accounts are getting a bit crowded, and you want to make room for other accounts. Or perhaps you just want to de-clutter your Chromebook. Whatever your reason, removing a guest account from Chromebook is relatively straightforward. Just follow these steps:

1. Sign in to your Chromebook using the host account details.
2. In the lower-right corner of the page, click on the time.
   
3. Select “Settings.”
   
4. In the “Security and Privacy” section, choose “Manage Other People.”
   
5. Switch off “Enable Guest Browsing.”
   

Additional FAQs

Why Can’t I Find the “Remove This User” Feature?

If you’re trying to remove an account and cannot see the “Remove This User” feature, you may be using an account managed by an administrator. Either factory restart your Chromebook or contact your administrator to solve the issue.

Does Chromebook Require You to Have a Google Account?

Yes, to use a Chromebook, you must access a Google account. However, it is possible to use a different account if you are accessing a Chromebook using a “Guest” account. It’s also possible to register a Google account with a non-Gmail email address.

Get Organized on Chromebook

A Chromebook is your personal internet surfing device, so it’s understandable why some people may be reluctant to share their accounts with others. While adding multiple accounts to a Chromebook has many benefits, the last thing you want is for things to get cluttered.

Fortunately, removing accounts from your Chromebook is a relatively straightforward process. We hope that this guide has helped you get a better idea of how to do so.

Have you tried removing an account on Chromebook? If so, what was your reason? How did you find the process? Let us know in the comments section below.