ChromeOS incorporates a less aggressive factory reset format

Google has developed a new feature for ChromeOS, which allows certain information to be maintained after resetting the ChromeBook to its factory settings, making it a less destructive alternative to the current one.

The technology company announced a few days ago the launch of ChromeOS M131 on the stable channel, an update that incorporates functionalities such as flash notifications -which will flash the screen every time an alert is registered- or a function similar to Quick responses.

This option is offered as a reading assistant powered by generative artificial intelligence (GenAI), which provides users with quick information about web pages and PDF documents. These include summaries, interactive outlines, and document questions and answers.

This release also focuses on security, with a feature that offers users a way to reset a ChromeBook computer to factory settings without deleting any of the information previously stored on the computer.

Google has recalled that, in previous versions of ChromeOS, it was necessary to do a Powerwash (translated as “pressure wash”) to reset system settings, that is, an aggressive deletion of information. With this new functionality, therefore, it offers an alternative to optimize the device in a non-destructive way.

Safety reset o ‘Security reset’ can now help eliminate unwanted pop-ups, fix network problems and other “unexpected” incidents, as explained by Google in a blog post.

Thus, this solution disables Chrome browser extensions and resets network and other settings to safe defaults. This means that will reset the default search enginebut tabs, files, cookies and history will not be changed.