I use chromebook, but want to "de-google" my life, how?

2239 Views 9 Replies 6 Participants Last post by plodr, Feb 8, 2022

Anakin0201

Discussion Starter · Feb 6, 2022

hi, i use a chromebook but am seriously focused on removing google from my life.
of all the various articles i have read, and my general knowledge on how to secure my data, delete data from google, switch emails and search engines/browsers etc... i still am pretty stuck on the best route to take.

i am aware that chromebook needs a google account to log in and run, so i am wondering if anyone can point me in the right direction or has the best possible way to leave google/secure my data/stop my digital footprint, even though i am using a chromebook.

wether it be keep a google account, but leave it empty and only use it so sign in... then switch browsers and everything to alternative services...

or to keep google as there is no other way on a chromebook, but lock down the security as much as possible, and how to do that.

i hope this makes sense, i am new here,i would apprecciate any help and tips.
Kind regards, Anakin0201

Save

Status: Not open for further replies.

1 - 10 of 10 Posts

blues_harp28

· #2 · Feb 6, 2022

Hi and welcome. A Chromebook is really the Google browser with limited internal storage.
If you desire to leave any attachment to Google then using a Chromebook is not going to help you. The main reason being that you can only use the Google browser.

Some members here may have other suggestions.

Save

Reactions: 1

Couriant

· #3 · Feb 6, 2022

You may be able to run Linux instead:

https://support.google.com/chromebook/answer/9145439

Otherwise you would want to look into a cheap windows machine.

Save

Reactions: 2

managed

· #4 · Feb 6, 2022

It seems you may be able to install Windows, depending on the particular chromebook model, but it is not easy :- https://www.howtogeek.com/278953/how-to-install-windows-on-a-chromebook/

Save

Reactions: 1

Johnny b

· #5 · Feb 6, 2022

I'm a big fan of Puppy Linux booted from a USB drive.
But I'd prefer going the route James suggested in your case.

Save

Reactions: 1

Anakin0201

Discussion Starter · #6 · Feb 7, 2022

thank you everyone, im currently learning linux and working through your advice, it seems to be the right path to go and im also finding whats right for me. i appreciate the warm welcome to the site, and all the feedback and understanding. very helpful and thank you again

appreciate it

Save

Reactions: 1

blues_harp28

· #7 · Feb 7, 2022

Hi Anakin0201, if you need further help related to Linux post your questions in the Linux forum.

https://forums.techguy.org/forums/linux-and-unix.22/

Save

plodr

· #8 · Feb 7, 2022 (Edited)

you can only use the Google browser.

This is not accurate. If you have googleplay on your Chromebook, you can install another browser. (I had Firefox installed but it would freeze up so I removed it.)
I just opened my Chromebook and clicked on the Brave browser icon. My home page opened with no problem.

I'm now posting this on my chromebook using the Brave browser.

Go here https://myactivity.google.com/myactivity
sign in, if neeeded
Click on activity controls and you can turn things off.

I'll have to post the screenshot from my computer. I haven't mastered screenshots on the chromebook yet.

Here is my screenshot.

As you see, I've turned off everything that I can. (You might not be able to turn off location on a chromebook; I'm not sure about that.

See less See more

Save

blues_harp28

· #9 · Feb 7, 2022

plodr said:
I'm now posting this on my chromebook using the Brave browser.

That is new to me and good to know.
Thanks Liz for the correction.

Save

plodr

· #10 · Feb 8, 2022

Older chromebooks didn't have googleplay so you were stuck with chrome - period!
I waited to buy a chromebook until googleplay was on and made sure the one I bought had several years of updates remaining by looking here https://support.google.com/chrome/a/answer/6220366

If you are stuck with chrome and updates stop, then sites will complain about using an outdated browser. (I'm not sure they would load because I keep my browsers updated.) If you install another browser and chromeOS updates stop, at least you can update the other browsers and surf.

Save

1 - 10 of 10 Posts

Status: Not open for further replies.

Top Contributors this Month