How to wipe a chromebox

Harrison Clayton August 13, 2021 3

Chromeboxes are compact desktop devices that run on the Chrome OS, which is developed by Google. Whether you want to sell your Chromebox, troubleshoot a problem, or start fresh with a brand new system, wiping your Chromebox is a straightforward process. Wiping the device will erase all data and settings, returning it to its factory default state. This means that you will lose all files, apps, and personalization settings, so it’s important to create backups before proceeding.

To begin the process of wiping your Chromebox, you will need to power off the device. Locate the power button, usually found on the front or side of the device, and press and hold it until the device turns off. Once the device is powered off, press and hold the Refresh button, which is typically located on the top row of the keyboard, and then press the Power button to turn the device back on. Keep holding the Refresh button until you see a recovery screen.

On the recovery screen, you will see a message that says “Chrome OS is missing or damaged.” Don’t worry – this is expected. You will need to press and hold the Ctrl + D keys on your keyboard to enter Developer Mode. A warning message will appear asking you to confirm whether you want to turn on Developer Mode. Press Enter to confirm and proceed with the process.

Once Developer Mode is enabled, the Chromebox will automatically run the recovery process. This may take a few minutes, and the device may reboot multiple times during this process. The recovery process will restore the Chrome OS back to its factory default state, erasing all data and settings in the process. Once the recovery process is complete, you will see a message indicating that your Chromebox is now back to its original settings.

Remember, wiping your Chromebox is a permanent action that cannot be undone. Make sure to backup any important files or data before proceeding. Following these steps will allow you to wipe your Chromebox and start fresh with a clean system, ready for a new user or a fresh setup.

Get Rid of All Data – How to Wipe a Chromebox

If you are looking to sell or recycle your Chromebox, or simply want to start fresh, it’s important to know how to wipe all the data from your device. This ensures that all personal information, settings, and preferences are removed, making it impossible for anyone to access your data after the wipe.

Step 1: Factory Reset the Chromebox

The first step in wiping a Chromebox is performing a factory reset. This will remove all user profiles, local data, and system configurations, restoring the device to its original state. Here’s how:

Turn off your Chromebox by selecting the shut down option from the system menu or pressing and holding the power button until the device powers off.
Press and hold the CTRL + ALT + SHIFT + R keys on your keyboard.
A window will appear asking you to restart the device or perform a Powerwash. Click on the Powerwash option.
Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the factory reset. Your Chromebox will restart and begin the wiping process.

Step 2: Remove Any Connected Accounts

After the factory reset, it’s recommended to remove any accounts that were previously connected to the Chromebox. Here’s how:

Sign in to your Google Account from a different device.
Go to the Security section of your Google Account.
Under the “Third-party apps with account access” section, click on “Manage third-party access”.
Find the Chromebox in the list of connected apps and click on “Remove access” or “Disconnect”.

By removing the connected account, you ensure that the Chromebox is no longer linked to any of your personal information.

Following these steps guarantees that your Chromebox has been wiped clean of all personal data and settings. It’s important to note that this process cannot be undone, so make sure to backup any data you want to keep before proceeding with the wipe.

Important Preparations

Before wiping a Chromebox, it’s important to make sure you have all the necessary preparations in place. These preparations include:

Backup Your Data

Prior to wiping a Chromebox, it’s crucial to backup any important data or files that you want to keep. This can be done by transferring your files to an external storage device or by uploading them to a cloud storage service like Google Drive.

Ensure You Have a Stable Internet Connection

To successfully wipe a Chromebox, you’ll need a stable internet connection. This is because the wiping process requires downloading and installing the necessary software updates. Make sure you’re connected to a reliable Wi-Fi network or have an Ethernet cable plugged in.

Requirements	Description
Chrome OS Recovery Utility	To create a recovery media
USB Drive	To format as a recovery device
Access to Power Outlet	Chromeboxes need a constant power supply during the wiping process

Having these preparations in place will ensure a smooth and successful wiping process for your Chromebox.

Backup Your Files

Before wiping your Chromebox, it is important to backup your files to ensure you don’t lose any important data. Here’s how you can do it:

Use Google Drive: Upload your files to Google Drive, which offers free cloud storage. You can access these files from any device with an internet connection.
External Hard Drive: Connect an external hard drive to your Chromebox and copy all the files you want to backup onto the drive. This provides another physical copy of your files.
USB Flash Drive: Similar to using an external hard drive, you can also backup your files onto a USB flash drive. Simply connect the USB drive to your Chromebox and copy the files onto it.
Transfer to another device: If you have another device, such as a laptop or desktop computer, you can transfer your files to that device using a USB cable or by transferring them over your local network.

Perform a Powerwash

If you’re looking to wipe a Chromebox completely, performing a Powerwash is a simple and effective solution. Powerwash will remove all user data from the device, including installed applications and settings, and return the Chromebox to its factory default state.

Here are the steps to perform a Powerwash on your Chromebox:

Start by logging out of your user account on the Chromebox.
On the sign-in screen, press and hold the Ctrl, Alt, and Shift keys all at once.
Press the Restart button that appears.
When the Chromebox restarts and displays the recovery screen, release the keys.
On the recovery screen, use the arrow keys on your keyboard to navigate to the Powerwash option.
Press the Enter key to select it.
Confirm your decision by selecting Restart or Powerwash on the following prompts.
Your Chromebox will now go through the Powerwash process, which may take a few minutes.
Once the Powerwash is complete, the Chromebox will restart, and you can set it up again as if it were brand new.

Please note that performing a Powerwash will delete all local data on the Chromebox, so make sure to back up any important files or information before proceeding. Additionally, Powerwash will not remove any device administration policy settings set by the administrator.

Now you’re ready to wipe your Chromebox by performing a Powerwash. Follow these steps carefully, and you’ll have a fresh start with your device!

Factory Reset

Performing a factory reset on your Chromebox can be a helpful solution if you’re experiencing software issues or want to clear all your personal data. This process will restore your Chromebox to its original factory settings, just like it was when you first bought it.

Before You Begin

Before you proceed with a factory reset, it’s important to note that this action will erase all your data and settings. Make sure to backup any important files or information to an external storage device or cloud service.

Steps to Factory Reset a Chromebox

To perform a factory reset on your Chromebox, follow these steps:

Start by turning off your Chromebox.
Press and hold the ‘Recovery’ button, which is located on the back or side of your Chromebox.
While holding the ‘Recovery’ button, turn on the Chromebox.
Continue to hold the ‘Recovery’ button until you see a yellow exclamation mark on the screen.
Press ‘Ctrl + D’ on your keyboard to enter Developer Mode.
Wait for the Chromebox to restart and display the ‘Chrome OS is missing or damaged’ message.
Press ‘Ctrl + D’ again to initiate the factory reset process.
Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the factory reset.

Recovering Data After Factory Reset

Once the factory reset is complete, all your personal data will be erased. However, if you had previously backed up your files, you can easily restore them by signing into your Google Account and syncing your data.

Conclusion

Performing a factory reset on your Chromebox can be a useful troubleshooting solution or a way to start fresh. Just remember to backup your data beforehand to prevent any permanent loss. The factory reset process is relatively simple and can help resolve software issues quickly.

Pros	Cons
Resolves software issues	Erases all personal data
Restores Chromebox to factory settings	Requires backing up data beforehand
Easy and straightforward process	N/A

Complete Wipeout and Reinstallation

If you want to completely wipe out your Chromebox and reinstall everything from scratch, follow the steps below:

Step 1: Full Factory Reset

The first step is to perform a full factory reset on your Chromebox. This will erase all data and settings on the device. To do this, follow these steps:

Turn off your Chromebox.
Disconnect all peripheral devices, such as monitors or keyboards.
Press and hold the recovery button (it may be located on the back or the bottom of your Chromebox).
While holding the recovery button, press the power button to turn on the Chromebox.
Keep holding the recovery button until you see a yellow exclamation point on the screen.
Release the recovery button.
Press and hold Ctrl + D on your keyboard.
Press Enter.
Wait for the Chromebox to restart and go through the initial setup process.

Step 2: Reinstall Chrome OS

After performing a full factory reset, you need to reinstall the Chrome OS. Follow these steps:

Open the Chrome browser on your Chromebox.
Go to the official website of the Chrome OS recovery tool.
Click on the “Download the Recovery App” button to download and install the recovery tool.
Open the recovery tool and follow the instructions to create a recovery USB drive.
Once the recovery USB drive is created, insert it into the USB port of your Chromebox.
Restart your Chromebox and press Esc when you see the “OS verification is OFF” message.
Use the arrow keys to select “Use a USB drive” and press Enter.
Follow the on-screen instructions to reinstall Chrome OS.

Once you have completed these steps, your Chromebox will be completely wiped and the Chrome OS will be reinstalled. You can then set up your Chromebox again and start using it from scratch.

Note: Remember to backup any important data before performing a full factory reset, as all data will be erased.

Harrison Clayton

Meet Harrison Clayton, a distinguished author and home remodeling enthusiast whose expertise in the realm of renovation is second to none. With a passion for transforming houses into inviting homes, Harrison's writing at https://thehuts-eastbourne.co.uk/ brings a breath of fresh inspiration to the world of home improvement. Whether you're looking to revamp a small corner of your abode or embark on a complete home transformation, Harrison's articles provide the essential expertise and creative flair to turn your visions into reality. So, dive into the captivating world of home remodeling with Harrison Clayton and unlock the full potential of your living space with every word he writes.