I hope this is useful information. It took me a bit to figure it out due to a lot of conflicting information, since the procedure has changed, perhaps several times, since the first version of Android. Also, I'll probably forget myself.
Please note that I've performed these steps on
Linux (Specifically Arch Linux). Others have pointed out that if you have issues executing step 7 from
Windows, you may need to follow
this post.
1. Install Android Studio, or otherwise obtain the latest versions of the adb and fastboot programs. I think Windows users also need to install a USB driver, but I run Linux, so I am not sure about that procedure.
2. Gain access to the developer options on the tablet. Go to the settings, and find the "about tablet" section. Scroll down to the "Software version" section and tap on that several times until it says that you are now a developer. Feel special.
3. Go to the new "Developer options" setting. Select "OEM unlocking." Also, I selected "USB debugging" as a straightforward way to reboot into the boot loader.
4. Connect to the computer on which you've installed adb and fastboot.
5. Type '
adb devices' to see your device listed. The tablet will ask you if you're sure you want to allow the computer access to it. Answer in the affirmative, and save that option.
6. Type '
adb reboot-bootloader' to do just that.
7. After you see the innards of your 'droid, type '
fastboot flashing unlock' . On Linux, you may need root permissions to do this. The tablet will ask you to confirm (select with up/down volume, and accept with the power button), and will then erase all of your data! I didn't worry about this as I'm all on Google services, and so they can be restored easily enough.
