How to Set Up a New Chromebook: First-Time Setup Walkthrough

A new Chromebook takes about 10 minutes to go from box to fully set up, but a handful of steps in that first setup screen are easy to skip past and regret later — especially around accounts, sync, and parental controls.

Before you turn it on

• Have your Google Account email and password ready, or plan to create a new account during setup.
• Know your Wi-Fi network name and password.
• If this is a hand-me-down or used device, confirm it isn’t still signed into someone else’s account — see what to check before buying a used Chromebook.

Step-by-step first setup

1. Press the power button to turn on the Chromebook for the first time.
2. Select your language and accessibility preferences on the welcome screen.
3. Connect to a Wi-Fi network and enter the password.
4. Accept the Google ChromeOS terms of service.
5. Sign in with an existing Google Account, or select Create account if you need a new one.
6. Choose whether to sync bookmarks, extensions, and settings from another device signed into the same account.
7. Set up screen lock (PIN or password) if prompted — see the full options in the ChromeOS lock screen settings.
8. Choose a wallpaper and theme, or skip and change it later.
9. Finish setup — ChromeOS lands you on the desktop, ready to use.

Do this right after setup, before you forget

1. Check for updates. Go to Settings → About ChromeOS → Check for updates so you’re not running the factory-installed version.
2. Set up Family Link if this is a child’s Chromebook. Follow the Family Link parental controls guide to add content filters and screen time limits.
3. Turn on Google Password Manager so saved logins carry across your devices — see the Password Manager guide.
4. Add any additional users who’ll share the device — see how to add multiple user profiles.
5. Note your AUE (Auto Update Expiration) date so you know how many years of security updates the device has left — see how to check your Chromebook’s AUE date.
6. Personalize your wallpaper and shelf — see how to change the wallpaper and theme and how to pin apps to the shelf.

Still not working?

• Stuck on the welcome or Wi-Fi screen. Restart the device by holding the power button for 10 seconds, then try setup again.
• “Someone already used this Chromebook” message on a new device. This means the device wasn’t factory reset before you got it — run a Powerwash from the sign-in screen (Ctrl + Alt + Shift + R) before setting it up.
• Setup won’t accept your Google Account. Double-check for typos, and confirm 2-Step Verification isn’t blocking sign-in from a new device — you may need to approve it from your phone.

FAQ

Do I need a Google Account to set up a Chromebook?

You can set up a “Guest” session without one, but you’ll lose access to the Play Store, personal file sync, and most personalization — a Google Account is strongly recommended for regular use.

Can I change the Google Account later without a factory reset?

Yes, sign out and sign back in with a different account from the sign-in screen — no Powerwash needed unless you want to fully wipe the previous account’s local data.

Should I enable sync during first setup?

If you already use Chrome on another device, yes — it carries over bookmarks, saved passwords, and extensions automatically. See how ChromeOS sync works for details.

Related fixes

• Chromebook AUE Dates Explained
• How to Set Up Parental Controls with Family Link on a Chromebook
• How to Add and Manage Multiple User Profiles on a Chromebook