You cannot change the Chromebook itself, but you can sign out and let another person sign in
A Dell school Chromebook is tied to your school's network and account system. You do not own it — your school does. What you can do is sign out of your account so someone else can sign in with theirs, or switch between accounts if multiple people use the same device.
If you are trying to factory reset the Chromebook, remove it from your school's management system, or change its ownership, you cannot do that yourself. Those actions require your school's IT administrator or the person who enrolled the device. This guide covers what you can actually control: signing out, signing in as a different user, and switching between accounts on the same machine.
Key Takeaways
- Sign out by clicking your profile picture in the bottom right corner, then selecting "Sign out" — this clears your account from the device but does not erase files stored in your Google Drive.
- Multiple people can have accounts on the same Chromebook; use the sign-in screen to switch between them without signing anyone out.
- Files saved locally to the Chromebook (not in Google Drive) stay with your account and are not visible to other users.
- If you forgot your password, use the sign-in screen to recover it through your school email or recovery email, or contact your school's IT help desk.
- School-managed Chromebooks have restrictions set by your IT department; you cannot remove parental controls, monitoring, or management features yourself.
How to sign out of your account
Click your profile picture in the bottom right corner of the screen. A menu will appear. Select "Sign out" from the options. The Chromebook will return to the sign-in screen, and your account will no longer be active on the device.
Signing out does not delete your files or settings. Anything you saved to Google Drive stays there and will appear when you sign back in. Files saved only to the Chromebook's local storage (the Downloads folder, for example) remain on the device but are not accessible until you sign back in with your account.
How to switch between accounts without signing out
If multiple people share the Chromebook, you can switch accounts without fully signing out. Press Ctrl + Alt + S on the keyboard, or click the profile picture and select "Add person." The Chromebook will show the sign-in screen with a list of accounts already on the device.
Click the account you want to use. If that person has not set up an account on this Chromebook yet, they can sign in with their school username and password. Each account keeps its own files, bookmarks, and settings separate from the others.
What to do if you forgot your password
On the sign-in screen, click "Forgot password?" below the password field. You will be asked to enter your recovery email address or answer a security question you set up when you created your account. Follow the prompts to reset your password.
If you do not remember your recovery email or security answer, contact your school's IT help desk or support line. They can verify your identity and help you regain access. Do not try to bypass the password or factory reset the device yourself — school Chromebooks are managed by your IT department, and unauthorized changes can lock you out permanently.
Why you cannot change the Chromebook's ownership or remove it from school management
School Chromebooks are enrolled in your school's management system from the moment they are set up. This enrollment lets your IT department push updates, enforce security policies, monitor device health, and manage who can sign in. You do not have permission to unenroll the device, factory reset it, or change its ownership.
If you need the Chromebook removed from the school system — because you are graduating, transferring schools, or the device is being replaced — submit a request to your school's IT department. They will handle the unenrollment and any data transfer or wiping that needs to happen.
What restrictions you will see and why you cannot remove them
School-managed Chromebooks often have restrictions on what apps you can install, which websites you can visit, and what files you can download. You may also see notifications that the device is being monitored. These controls are set by your school's IT administrator and cannot be removed by you, even if you know the admin password.
If a restriction is blocking something you need for schoolwork, ask your teacher or IT help desk to request an exception. Do not try to work around the restrictions using VPNs, developer mode, or other workarounds — these can trigger alerts and may result in the device being locked or your account being suspended.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my personal Google account on a school Chromebook?
No. School Chromebooks are set up to accept only accounts from your school's domain (usually your school email address). Signing in with a personal Gmail account will not work. If you need to access personal files, use a personal device instead.
If I sign out, will my files be deleted?
Files stored in Google Drive will not be deleted and will appear when you sign back in. Files saved only to the Chromebook's local storage (Downloads folder, for example) stay on the device but are not visible to other users who sign in. When you sign back in, you will see your local files again.
Can I add a second account to the Chromebook if I share it with someone?
Yes. On the sign-in screen, click "Add person" or press Ctrl + Alt + S. The other person can sign in with their school account. Each account is separate, with its own files, bookmarks, and settings. You can switch between accounts without signing anyone out.
What happens if I try to factory reset the Chromebook?
The reset will fail because the device is enrolled in your school's management system. If the reset somehow starts, your school's IT department will be notified, and the device may be locked or flagged for investigation. Contact IT if you think the Chromebook needs to be reset.
Can I remove the monitoring software my school installed?
No. Monitoring and management tools are part of the device enrollment and cannot be removed by you. If you have concerns about what is being monitored, talk to your school's IT department or administration about their monitoring policies.