Question Remove a Chrome user

[zigzag03]

I would like to give a laptop to a buddy, and it currently has my Chrome life saved in it. I can see how to remove my account, but I'm concerned that it only be removed from the specific machine, without affecting the other computers, phone etc. Does the removal of the account from Chrome on this laptop affect anything else? Thanks!

 

[JackMDS]

AFAIK the credentials of the user account are stored on your account on Google’s server. So, removing chrome from one computer would not affect the capacity of other computers to access using Chrome.

 

[zigzag03]

That's what I was thinking too. I'm not actually going to remove Chrome, but I want to delete my user profile, along with links and shortcuts and passwords, without affecting any other machine. Guess I'll give it a try! Edit: and thank you!

 

[crashtech]

I usually wipe computers that are going to be re-purposed, and install a fresh OS on them. Then there is no question about anything being left behind.

 

[zigzag03]

Understood! And fwiw, I did delete myself as a chrome user, and all it wanted to do was log me back in, while keeping my shortcuts and passwords. I got rid of chrome all together, and since I know the person well, I'll hope for the best. Thank you for the input.

 

[JackMDS]

I would download this portable freeware.

FreeCommander XE - The Portable Freeware Collection

www.portablefreeware.com

Why? Native Windows Explorer does really shows you everything that is on the HD/SSD.

With freeCommander you can see every file even if they are Hidden. So... it give you a capacity to loo over and delete files with personal info.

You can also download the free portable cCleaner and clean old browsing files files and Registry Entries.

Search results - The Portable Freeware Collection

www.portablefreeware.com

The above will take less time tan New install of Window.That said New Install is the cleast way.

 

[zigzag03]

Thanks, I will download and have a look around!

 

[Oyeve]

Create a new local account with admin rights the. Log in as new admin and remove old local accounts. Then delete.

 

[zigzag03]

That's a fine suggestion!

 

[WilliamM2]

Why not just wipe everything with a reset?

How to reset Windows 10 removing everything - Pureinfotech

To factory reset Windows 11, open Settings > Update & Security > Recovery, click Get Started on Reset this PC, and select "Remove everything."

pureinfotech.com

Simple, and fast.

 

[JackMDS]

If you change Microsoft Accounts on that user profile, all files stored on your PC will not be affected, if you have files stored on OneDrive online, they would not be accessible from the new Microsoft Account.

As for "total" reset. Total is nice word but it is only a word, In such case I Prefer New Installation with Flash drive with Rufus if it is old computer.

 

[zigzag03]

This one is actually Win 11, but suspect the process won't be that different. It came preinstalled on an older computer bought off ebay, am a little hesitant to wipe it not knowing if the license will remain intact...

 

[WilliamM2]

No, you won't lose activation:

Redirecting

A factory reset is the SAME as a clean install. I had to test this at work for disposing of old computers, there will be no recoverable data, unless the NSA gets involved or something.

 

[zigzag03]

That's my plan then. I assume it will need to install whatever windows updates it needs to after the reset. Thanks everyone, I really appreciate all the help!

 

[JackMDS]

As oppose to the variety of previous activation conundrums. Win 11 activation is based on MS storing on it servers some info taken from the Motherboard on the activated computer.

So as long as you install the exact same version of Win11and you make sure that the computer is connected to the Internet it will take a minute and it will be Activated.

If you have other software that when installed needed to be activated you might lose the activation of the specific software with the new install. That is why my preferred route is the one that I mentioned before (post #6)

 

[zigzag03]

Got it. There's really nothing else on this computer, I hadn't had it long, was going to use it for SDR but friend needs a laptop so I grabbed a cheap desktop for my shack. Thanks again for your and everyones' advice.

 

[Milly Darcy]

I would like to give a laptop to a buddy, and it currently has my Chrome life saved in it. I can see how to remove my account, but I'm concerned that it only be removed from the specific machine, without affecting the other computers, phone etc. Does the removal of the account from Chrome on this laptop affect anything else? Thanks!

Just turn on the sync option, anyway you will have your credentials. By removing the Chrome account you will only remove the account from that particular device so the data and all, and it doesn't affect anything else as you worried.

 

[zigzag03]

Thanks, Milly, computer has moved on and my data did not move with it!