Compared to Windows-based laptops, Chromebooks with Chrome OS are much more streamlined and therefore much easier to use. However, it may still be necessary to reset a Chromebook to factory settings. We reveal how it works and what you need to consider.

By Sebastian Weber

Everyone who uses a computer knows the problem: Over time, a lot of data, programs and the like accumulate, which gradually make the device slower and slower. In the worst case, at some point it only helps to completely reset the operating system and start a properly running laptop again.

But even those who want to sell their Chromebook are well advised to reset the notebook to the factory settings so that the new owner does not buy all the data at the same time. We'll tell you how to reset your Chromebook with Chrome OS, what you should pay attention to and what alternatives are available in the event of poor performance.

How to reset your Chromebook to factory settings

Resetting a Chromebook to factory settings is basically child's play, regardless of the manufacturer, whether HP, Lenovo, Asus, Acer or others. Just follow the steps below:

• First, log out of your Chromebook. Click on the button with the clock and battery indicator in the lower right corner of Chrome OS. Then a new field will open in which you will find a new button in the top left that you can use to log out.
• Now press the following keys at the same time: CTRL, ALT, SHIFT.
• A window will now open in which you can restart the Chromebook, which starts the so-called "Powerwash" process.
• In the next window use the button "Next" or "Powerwash" and confirm your selection.
• From now on, Chrome OS is working on resetting your Chromebook. So just follow the instructions and log in with your Google account to re-register the Chromebook on your account.

With these few and simple steps you can reset your Chromebook to factory settings.

What to consider before resetting your Chromebook

When you reset your Chromebook to factory settings, Chrome OS removes all files and programs that were stored on your laptop. Therefore, there are a few steps you should take before you start the reset process.

First of all, it is advisable to synchronize your Chrome OS settings with your Google account. So you can put them back on your Chromebook quickly and easily as soon as you have reset it to the factory settings.

To do this, click on the clock at the bottom right to open the field mentioned above, which you can also use to log out. There you will find a gear symbol in the top right, which opens the settings of your Chromebook.

There are a few things to consider before resetting the Chromebook. Image: © Acer 2019

In this menu you look for the entry "Accounts", where you can use the option "Synchronization and Google services" to manage which data should be synchronized with your Google account.

In addition to the settings on your Chromebook, it is also important to back up all stored data. So think about which documents and Co. you want or need to keep and save them on Google Drive, if you have enough memory available.

Otherwise, you can also store them on an external storage device, such as a USB stick or an external hard drive, in order to copy them back to your Chromebook later after you have reset it to the factory settings.

Factory data reset Chromebook – alternatives

Before you do a factory reset on your Chromebook, however, there are other steps that might help solve your problem. However, this only applies if you have problems with the performance of the device. If you want to sell your Chromebook or if it is already suggesting that you reset it, then you should follow the procedures outlined above.

If your Chromebook is simply not running as fast as it was at the beginning, here's a try to fix the performance problems and save the step of resetting:

Click on the three-dot menu in Chrome and look for the entry "More tools" and "Extensions". Then go through the list of extensions that you have installed on your Chromebook.

Deactivate or delete these one by one and test out whether one of the programs is perhaps responsible for the poorer performance and whether your Chromebook will then work better again.

It can also be helpful to turn off your Chromebook completely and then restart it. This frees up resources and deletes some files in your download folder that may also cause performance problems.

If you want to turn off your Chromebook, press the "Refresh" and "Power" buttons on your keyboard at the same time. Then restart the device as normal and test whether your Chromebook is now running faster again.

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summary

• There are just a few easy steps to factory reset Chrome OS on your Chromebook to fix performance issues or erase data before it is sold.
• Before resetting, you should back up your settings and data so as not to lose them forever.
• Performance problems under Chrome OS can also be solved by deactivating or deleting extensions or by completely turning your Chromebook off and on again.