Wipe ChromeOS device data

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You can wipe local device and user data for troubleshooting, data removal, or other reasons. If the device is enrolled in your organization, you can remotely wipe device data. If not, you can manually wipe local data. For details, see Manually wipe a ChromeOS device.

Note: To manage a ChromeOS device in your organization, it must be enrolled before any user signs in to it (including you as the administrator). If a user signs in before the device is enrolled, your Google Workspace account policies and preferences will not apply, and the device must be wiped to restart enrollment and manage the device in your organization.

All account information and data stored on a ChromeOS device that isn't synced with Google Chrome Sync, such as photos, downloaded files, and saved networks, is deleted during the wipe process.

Remotely wipe a ChromeOS device

Only an admin can remotely wipe a device and the device must be managed. This only resets the device. To remotely deprovision and reset a device, see Repair, repurpose, or retire ChromeOS devices.

Remotely wipe one or more devices

1. Sign in to your Google Admin console.

   Sign in using your administrator account (does not end in @gmail.com).

2. From the Admin console Home page, go to  Menu  DevicesChromeDevices.
3. To show all devices, on the left, click All devices. Otherwise, select a child organizational unit.
4. (Optional) Apply filters to search for specific devices. For details, see Filter by status.
5. To wipe a single device:
   1. Click the serial number of the device you want to wipe.
   2. On the Device details page, select Reset.
6. To wipe multiple devices:
   1. Check the boxes next to the the devices you want to remotely wipe.
   2. At the top, select MoreReset.
7. In the box, do the following:
   1. Select Clear User Profiles or Factory Reset.
   2. Select I understand this will remove data from the device and cannot be undone.
   3. Click Reset again.

Manually wipe a ChromeOS device

The exact steps for your device might vary. If your ChromeOS device is listed below, follow those steps. Otherwise, here are generic steps that apply for any ChromeOS device.

When you enter recovery mode, you can use internet recovery to wipe devices, if it’s an option. Otherwise, use developer mode mode or USB recovery options.

Factory reset your Chromebook (preferred)

1. Sign out of your Chromebook.
2. Press and hold Ctrl+Alt+Shift+r.
3. Select Restart.
4. In the box that appears, select PowerwashContinue.
5. Follow the steps that appear and sign in with your Google Account.
   Note: The account you sign in with after you reset your Chromebook will be the owner account.

Wipe a Chromebook—Developer mode

1. Turn off the Chromebook.
2. Press Esc++Power.
   A yellow exclamation point (!) or Please insert a recovery USB stick is displayed.
3. Press Ctrl+D to begin Developer mode, then press Enter.
4. Press Space, then press Enter.
   The Chromebook deletes its local data, returning to its initial state. This can take several minutes to complete.
   Note: ​If Forced re-enrollment is enabled for the device, you'll see a note that Developer mode is blocked. This shortens the wipe process, and still allows for re-enrollment when the device automatically restarts in secure mode.
5. When the transition completes, press the space bar, then press Enter to return to secure mode.
6. Enroll the Chromebook before signing in to it.

Wipe a Chromebook—Recover using internet connection

For devices that have the option to recover using the internet, such as HP Elite Dragonfly, and are connected to the internet.

1. Turn off the Chromebook.
2. Press Esc++Power.
3. Select Recover using internet connection.
4. Press Enter to move to the next screen.
5. To connect to a network to begin recovery, press Enter.
6. Select the network connection and press Enter.
7. If prompted, type your password and press Enter. Ethernet does not require a password.
   Note: To view your password, press Tab.
8. Connecting to the network might take a few minutes.
9. At Start recovery, press Enter to move to the next screen.
10. After recovery is completed, Chromebook restarts.
11. Enroll the Chromebook before signing in to it.

Wipe a Chromebook tablet

1. If the device is not charging (unplugged or plugged in and fully charged), press and hold the Volume Up, Volume Down, and Power buttons until the battery indicator LED color changes to orange. Then, release the buttons and make sure the LED color turns green.
2. If the device is plugged in and charging, press and hold the Volume Up, Volume Down, and Power buttons until the orange battery indicator LED color flickers. Then, release the buttons and make sure the LED color remains orange.
   Note: If the device turns off completely, turn it on again and start over.
3. When prompted to insert a recovery USB stick or SD card, press the Volume Up or Volume Down button to open the options menu.
4. Simultaneously press the Volume Up and Volume Down buttons.
5. Select Confirm Disabling OS Verification and press the Power button.
6. Select Developer Options and press the Power button.
7. Select Boot from Internal Disk and press the Power button.
   The Chromebook tablet deletes its local data, returning to its initial state. This process takes approximately 15 minutes.
8. Select Enable OS Verification and press the Power button to return to secure mode.
9. Select Confirm Enabling OS Verification and press the Power button.
10. Before signing in, enroll the Chromebook tablet.

Important: The steps above might not work on all devices. If you’re not sure that you can recover the device after you wipe it, contact Google support.

Wipe a Chromebox

1. Attach a keyboard to the device.
2. Turn off the Chromebox.
3. Put a paperclip (or pushpin) into the recovery button hole.
   Here's an example of what to look for:

   

4. Press down the recovery button with a paperclip while turning on the device.
5. Press Ctrl+D. The screen text should visibly change.
6. Press the recovery button with the paperclip again.
   The device restarts and displays a red exclamation point.
7. Press Ctrl+D.
   The Chromebox restarts and starts the transition to Developer mode. This clears all local data and takes several minutes to complete.
   Note: ​If Forced re-enrollment is enabled for the device, you'll see a note that Developer mode is blocked. This shortens the wipe process, and still allows for re-enrollment when the device automatically restarts in secure mode.
8. At the startup screen, press the space bar, and then press Enter to restart the device and return to secure mode.
9. If you're using a managed Chromebox for your school or business, follow these steps to enroll the device.
   If you’re using a Chromebox for meetings, see enroll your device instead.

Questions

Note: For devices that don’t belong to an organization and will be used as a personal device, complete the on-screen setup using a personal Google Account.

My device says it has been marked for enterprise management. What do I do?

A message stating that This device will be managed by domain.com means that the device is configured for Forced re-enrollment by the administrator of that domain.

If you are a member of this organization, enter your credentials on this screen to enroll the device.

If you are seeing this enrollment screen and your device does not belong to an organization (for example, you purchased it online and haven't enrolled it), visit this page for instructions.

Nothing happens when I press Ctrl+D.

If you're using an external USB keyboard, make sure it is plugged in directly to the device. Bluetooth keyboards might not work.

Note: If the device does not belong to an organization and you want to use it as a personal device, complete the on-screen setup using your personal Google Account.

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