How to Get Rid of Administrator on Chromebook?

Chromebooks are light, fast, and secure devices made by Google. They are especially popular for schools, businesses, and personal use.

One reason people love Chromebooks is their simple design and fast performance.

Most tasks, such as browsing, editing documents, watching videos, or using apps, run smoothly without issues.

Each Chromebook has at least one main user account. This is usually the administrator account.

It has the highest level of control over the device. The admin can change system settings, install apps, manage users, and even reset the entire device.

This control is great when used correctly. But there are times when removing the admin account becomes necessary.

Whether you’re giving your Chromebook to someone else, fixing problems, or improving security, this manual will help.

Below, we cover all the methods to remove the administrator account safely.

What is an Administrator Account?

Before you begin, let’s understand what an administrator account actually is.

• This is the first Google account used to sign in to the Chromebook.
  
• It becomes the default owner.
  
• It has full control over the device settings.
  
• It can restrict or allow new users.
  
• It can manage apps and reset the device.
  

If you want to use the Chromebook without any admin restrictions, or if you’re no longer the owner, you may want to remove this account.

Why Would You Remove the Admin Account?

There are several practical reasons for removing the admin account from a Chromebook. Let’s look at the most common ones:

1. Changing Ownership

If you’re planning to give or sell your Chromebook, the new owner should start fresh. Leaving your Google account on the device can expose your personal data.

2. Security Reasons

An admin can disable key security features. If someone else has access to that account, your device becomes less secure.

3. Fixing Problems

Some system bugs, app crashes, or performance issues may be linked to the admin account. Resetting and removing it can help fix these problems.

4. Speed and Performance

More accounts mean more data and background activity. Removing old or unused admin accounts can help the device run faster.

Things to Do Before You Start

Before you remove any account, especially the admin, you need to prepare your Chromebook. Follow these important steps:

✅ Backup Important Files

Since you may lose data during this process, always create backups:

• Save your files to Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive.
  
• You can also move files to an external hard drive or USB stick.
  
• Don’t forget to check your Downloads folder—many users store items there without realizing it.
  

✅ Make Sure You’re Ready to Reset

If you remove the admin account, some methods will reset the device. This means:

• All local data will be deleted.
  
• Apps, settings, and files will be erased.
  
• You’ll need to set up the Chromebook like it’s brand new.
  

Make sure you understand this before continuing.

✅ Transfer Device Ownership (If Needed)

If you’re no longer the main user, consider changing the device owner:

• Go to Settings > People > Transfer device (if available).
  
• Follow the prompts to switch the ownership to another account.

How to Remove Admin Account (Basic Method)

Here’s the standard method using your Chromebook settings:

Step 1: Sign in to the Admin Account

Log in with the admin account you want to remove. You must be logged in to make this change.

Step 2: Open the Settings

Click the clock in the bottom-right corner.
Choose the gear icon to open Settings.

Step 3: Go to the People Section

Scroll down and find the section called People.
Click on Manage other people.

Step 4: Find the Admin User

You will see a list of users. The admin will usually be labeled as Owner or Administrator.

Step 5: Remove the Account

Click on the three-dot menu next to the account.
Select Remove this user.
Confirm when asked.

Note: If you only have one user, this method may not work. You’ll need to reset the Chromebook.

Other Ways to Remove the Administrator

If the basic method didn’t work or is not available, here are several more advanced methods to try.

1. Powerwash (Factory Reset)

Powerwash is the easiest way to remove all user accounts, including the admin. It resets your Chromebook to factory condition.

How to Powerwash:

1. Log out of your account.
   
2. Press Ctrl + Alt + Shift + R.
   
3. A dialog box will appear. Click Restart.
   
4. On the next screen, click Powerwash > Continue.
   
5. Your device will restart and reset.
   

This deletes all local files and users. You’ll be asked to sign in with a Google account after rebooting.

2. Developer Mode (Advanced)

Developer Mode gives full system access and resets the Chromebook, wiping all admin accounts.

Steps:

1. Turn off the Chromebook.
   
2. Press Esc + Refresh, then press Power.
   
3. Wait for the recovery screen to appear.
   
4. Press Ctrl + D to activate Developer Mode.
   
5. Press Enter when prompted.
   
6. The Chromebook will reboot and remove all data.
   

⚠ Warning: Developer Mode will disable some protections and take time to enable. Only use it if you’re comfortable with risks.

3. Use Recovery Mode

Recovery Mode can reinstall ChromeOS and remove all accounts.

What You Need:

• A second computer.
  
• A USB or SD card (8GB minimum).
  
• The Chromebook Recovery Utility (available on Chrome Web Store).
  

Steps:

1. On your second computer, install the Chromebook Recovery Utility.
   
2. Launch it and enter your Chromebook model.
   
3. Insert the USB or SD card and follow the instructions.
   
4. On the Chromebook, press Esc + Refresh + Power.
   
5. When prompted, insert the USB/SD with the recovery image.
   
6. Follow the on-screen instructions to reinstall ChromeOS.
   

Once complete, the Chromebook will be clean with no admin account.

4. Remove Account via Sign-in Screen

If you’re not the admin but want to remove your own account:

1. On the sign-in screen, click the down arrow near your account.
   
2. Choose Remove user.
   
3. Confirm the action.
   

This works only for non-admin accounts. Admin accounts cannot be removed this way.

5. Use Guest Mode for Shared Use

Instead of removing the admin, you can use Guest Mode for other users.

How to Use Guest Mode:

• On the login screen, click Browse as Guest.
  
• This gives temporary access without saving any data.
  
• When the session ends, everything is deleted.
  

This is useful if you’re lending the device to someone for a short time.

6. Set Up a New Owner Account

After resetting your Chromebook using Powerwash, Developer Mode, or Recovery:

1. Turn on the Chromebook.
   
2. Choose a Wi-Fi network and connect.
   
3. At the sign-in screen, enter the new Google account.
   
4. This account becomes the new Owner/Admin.
   
5. Finish setup.
   

Now your old admin account is gone, and a fresh one is set.

Extra Tips to Keep Your Chromebook Safe

After removing the admin account, follow these steps to protect your device in the future:

✅ Use Strong Passwords

• Choose a password with letters, numbers, and symbols.
  
• Avoid using names or birthdays.
  
• Don’t share your password.

✅ Turn on Two-Factor Authentication

• Go to Google Account Security.
  
• Turn on 2-Step Verification.
  
• Use an app, SMS, or a hardware key for extra protection.

✅ Limit Sign-In Access

• Go to Settings > People > Manage other people.
  
• Turn on Restrict sign-in to specific users.
  
• Only allow accounts you trust.

✅ Keep ChromeOS Updated

Updates include new features and security patches. To check for updates:

1. Go to Settings.
   
2. Scroll to About ChromeOS.
   
3. Click Check for updates.
   

Install them as soon as they’re available.

✅ Uninstall Unwanted Apps

• Go to the Launcher (circle icon in the bottom-left).
  
• Right-click the app you don’t need.
  
• Select Uninstall.
  

This frees up space and improves performance.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Can I remove the admin account without resetting my Chromebook?

A: Not usually. The admin is tied to the first account used. You must reset or Powerwash to fully remove it.

Q2: Will I lose my files when I reset my Chromebook?

A: Yes. That’s why it’s important to back up your files before resetting.

Q3: Can I have more than one admin account?

A: No. Only the first Google account used becomes the owner/admin. Others can have access but not admin privileges.

Q4: Can I remove an admin account if I forgot the password?

A: You’ll need to reset the Chromebook via Recovery Mode. This will remove the account but also delete all data.

Final Thoughts

Removing an administrator account from your Chromebook isn’t hard once you know what to do.

Whether you’re selling your device, solving problems, or improving performance, the steps above will help you reset your Chromebook and start fresh.

Here’s a quick recap:

• Backup your files before doing anything.
  
• Use Powerwash for the easiest reset.
  
• Developer Mode or Recovery Mode for advanced users.
  
• Guest Mode works for shared use without changes.
  
• Set up a new owner account after resetting.
  

Once done, your Chromebook will feel like new, fast, clean, and ready for a fresh start.

Let us know if this guide helped you or if you need help with another Chromebook issue!